"Airport's
late flight ban under review"
Belfast Telegraph - 14th February 2004
A BATTLE over late night flights at Belfast City Airport was looming today as a reassessment of current operational restrictions moved closer.
Airport chiefs have asked the Department of the Environment to review a long-standing planning agreement which imposes a curfew on arrivals and departures between 9.30pm and 6.30am.
The airport today stressed that it has not tabled any proposals for changes to the existing set-up.
However, a review would be expected to focus on the curfew.
Any move towards night- time flights will face strong opposition from residents in east Belfast and Holywood.
However, business interests will warmly welcome the prospect of a later service into the city from London.
The review move was floated in December by the Government.
A White Paper on the future of air travel invited the Northern Ireland authorities to reassess the planning agreement "if and when they are so requested by the airport operator".
A spokesman for the City Airport today said: "A review of the agreement has been requested in the light of the White Paper, in order to ascertain what such a review might mean.
"We would emphasise that we have not asked for any change to the planning regime under which the airport currently operates.
"In addition, no airline has informed the City Airport that it wishes to run late night flights."
Any changes would be introduced "with full consultation with interested parties".
British Midland recently confirmed that it would be interested in operating a late evening flight into the city from London.
East Belfast Assemblyman Sir Reg Empey today underlined his opposition to a relaxation of the curfew.
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