Fresh Moves in Night Flights Curfew - Belfast City Airport

Fresh Moves in Night Flights Curfew
Belfast Telegraph, UK

16 February 2004 


DOE planners are taking legal advice on the issues
surrounding the curfew on night-time flights at
Belfast City Airport, it can be revealed today.

As the Belfast Telegraph reported on Friday, the
airport's bosses have asked for a review of the
current planning agreement which limits its
operations.

No specific proposal for a change to flight-time hours
has been made. But a review process is likely to be
dominated by a fierce debate over whether later
arrivals should be allowed.

A DoE spokesman today confirmed that advice "including
legal advice" was being sought in connection with the
airport's request.

Under the current planning agreement, scheduled
flights are only permitted between 6.30 am and 9.30
pm.

Other planning controls also in force at the City
Airport include limitations on runway length, annual
air transport movements and the number of aircraft
seats provided.

Senior UUP politician Sir Reg Empey has described the
request for the planning agreement review as the
"first formal step" towards a bid for later flights.

Sir Reg backs residents of east Belfast and Holywood
in their opposition to a lifting of the curfew.

"If the airport thinks they are going to have a
walkover on this, they are going to be very mistaken,"
he commented.

On the other side of the debate are business interests
who want a later evening flight from Heathrow.

The looming controversy on restrictions at the City
Airport follows the publication in December of a
Government White Paper on the future of air transport
across the UK.

It invited the Northern Ireland authorities to
re-assess the planning agreement "if and when they are
so requested by the airport operator".

The White Paper said "suitable" environmental controls
were required "given the large number of people who
live in the vicinity and are affected by aircraft
noise".

But it also stated that the City Airport has "an
important role as a transport gateway in the economic
life of Northern Ireland".

The document added: "As is the case with many airports
elsewhere, we recognise that a balance needs to be
struck between these conflicting environmental and
economic factors."


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