TUV leader Jim Allister says it’s time the Northern Ireland Executive came behind efforts by Belfast International Airport to develop and see off competition from the Republic of Ireland.
Mr Allister was commenting following the announcement by Ryanair that it is to locate a base at the airport involving 750 new jobs and three based aircraft.
Mr Allister said:
“This is good news for Northern Ireland. Delivery and sustaining the promised growth is now key. The prospect of one million more passengers a year is a significant boost, and the best possible way to signal that the fight-back is well underway. Belfast International has great potential, but to attain it we must robustly take on the competition from Dublin. This is where the Stormont Executive must help.
“Now, it’s time for Ministers to step up to the plate and stop talking about route development and instead act upon their words. We need real financial support for route development. We need action on Air Passenger Duty which hands an unfair advantage to Dublin and the Republic of Ireland. And it’s about time we saw some leadership and some imagination to achieve the level of expansion and growth which is long overdue.
“We have wonderful world-class visitor attractions but continue to play second fiddle when it comes to Tourism Ireland and the vocal tourism lobby in the Republic of Ireland.”
TUV South Antrim TUV representative Richard Cairns added:
“This is a welcome development at Belfast International Airport. Northern Ireland needs to compete with Dublin on both affordability of flights and range of destinations.
“Government now needs to go further and give Belfast International Airport the support to further develop – this can only come about by addressing surrounding infrastructure such as rail and road transport provision, and to address their calls for an Enterprise Zone similar to that in Manchester.
“I hope this can be the springboard to future success for BIA.”