Committee take evidence on an air strategy for Northern Ireland

• Inquiry: An air transport strategy for Northern Ireland
• Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Monday 23 April 2012
2.00pm, Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Witnesses

• Mr John Doran, Managing Director, Belfast International  Airport

• Mr Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive, George Best Belfast  City Airport

• Mr Damien Tierney, Managing Director, City of Derry Airport
• Mr Clive Coleman, Technical Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff
• Mr Albert Harrison OBE, Non-executive Director, City of  Derry Airport

Information released by the NI Chamber of Commerce and BAA on 14 February 2012 stated that:

• One in ten jobs in Northern Ireland depend on foreign investment, and half of those companies can only reach their home market through a hub airport;
• Aviation supports £1bn of exports from Northern Ireland;
• Foreign tourists spend £195m a year in Northern Ireland and account for 360,000 visits – 150,000 of whom arrive by air; and
• Northern Ireland benefits directly from having a global hub in Britain, with Heathrow directly supporting 1,000 tourism jobs and 900 airport jobs in Northern Ireland.

The Committee is inquiring into:

• the implications of current air links for Northern Ireland, specifically the  economy;
• regional and international connectivity;
• the  lack of public transport links to, and between, Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports;
• the implications for Northern Ireland of the Civil Aviation Bill; 
• the implications of the proposed takeover of BMI by IAG; and
• tax policy.

Further information

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