Airport News
Debate surrounds airport runway expansion
Tue, 24 Feb, 2009
Proposals to extend the runway of the George Best Belfast City Airport are stirring controversy.
The Green party has called for members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) to vote for a public inquiry into the proposal, which would lengthen the runway by 590 metres.
Fiona McKinley of Belfast City Airport Watch told the Belfast Telegraph that it was "a golden opportunity to put this ill-judged planning application beyond doubt".
But First Minister Peter Robinson had raised objections to the term of the motion for an inquiry, which was also put up by Alliance MLA Stephen Farry.
The BBC reports that Mr Robinson said environment minister Sammy Wilson would be in an "impossible situation" caused by his duty to both the assembly's decision and the law regarding planning, if the motion were to succeed.
Katie Best, business development director for the airport, said there is a "very strong business case" for the extension, the BBC continued.