Belfast delay

BELFAST CITY AIRPORT’S runway extension has been delayed by at least 18 months following the Northern Ireland government’s decision to order a public enquiry.  Never one to miss an opportunity for publicity Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary has been in Belfast talking figures hard to substantiate.  Just how five new possible routes can realise 500 jobs is hard to justify.  The airport wants to extend the north-east end of the runway by 590m while retracting 120m from the south-west.  Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: “Because of the significant issues at stake, I have instructed my officials to ask the Planning Appeals Commission to hold a public enquiry and to request that the enquiry is given a high priority."  A very interested party will be the Spanish-owned Belfast International, set to lose business if the expansion goes ahead. www.belfastcityairport.com

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