Lack of flights could prejudice NI business

Leading Northern Ireland businesses have been told that the lack of flight connections in and out of the country could jeopardise future trade and job opportunities.

Research from Oxford Economics, culminating in the release of an economic forecast for the province, highlights the importance of regular flights from Northern Ireland to mainland UK and beyond. In particular, flights from Belfast to Heathrow were deemed to play an essential role in the Northern Ireland economy.

Flights in and out of Belfast, Northern Ireland, have been somewhat at risk of late, with Continental threatening to cancel its transatlantic flight between Belfast and Newark because of high air passenger tax. That route was saved after the Assembly intervened and drastically cut the duty payable. Ryanair left the Belfast airport over delays to the proposed runway extension, and the recent International Airlines Group (IAG) purchase of BMI seemed to threaten the Belfast to Heathrow flights. IAG quickly confirmed that those flights would continue as before.

The report suggests that the number of flights to and from Belfast need to be improved upon to ensure that Northern Ireland does not miss out on future investment, trade and job creation.

If you require commercial law advice in respect of any matter of your business, including employment law, contracts, commercial property purchasing or leasing, or any other issue, contact Wilson Nesbitt solicitors in Belfast by calling 0800 840 9295.

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