"Airline
gives facilities a top flight upgrade"
Newsletter - 12th March 2003
THE business and political community turned out in force yesterday for the official opening of bmi british midland's new business lounge at Belfast City Airport.
bmi, which switched from Aldergrove to the City Airport in 2001, has invested £1.5m in the lounge and air bridge.
The lounge provides checkinservices, email access, photocopying, telephones, and complimentary newspapers, drinks and snacks, while the new air bridge will make the boarding process more efficient and protect passengers from bad weather.
bmi chief executive Austin Reid said: "Eighteen months ago, when we moved the majority of our London Heathrow services to Belfast City Airport, we made some promises and gave a commitment to Northern Ireland travellers.
"Today we have delivered on those promises."
Mr Reid said bmi has indicated its "aspiration" to have a later arrival to Belfast City, but added that it is up to the airport to decide whether it should seek to have the current closing hours extended.
East Belfast MP Peter Robinson said that Belfast to Heathrow services are not a "matter of choice, but a matter of necessity" for Northern Ireland travellers.
Belfast City Airport managing director John Doran said: "The position the airport occupies is a key economic generator in this area, supporting as it does some 2,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly."
The sale of the City Airport looks set to be finalised by the end of April.
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