Belfast News: Belfast City Airport Seat Restrictions

The decision by the former Environment Minister Edwin Poots to lift restrictions on the cap covering the number of seats for sale at Belfast City Airport in any one year, has been successfully challenged at the High Court.

Mr. Poots removed the limit which required the airport to sell no more than two million seats in any one year, despite an outcry from some local residents and the Belfast City Airport Watch.

The decision by the High Court quashing the lifting of the cap came after the Department of the Environment conceded the cases, brought by Northern Ireland's main International Airport and resident's group Belfast City Airport Watch Ltd.

The 'Judicial Review' brought by Belfast International Airport claimed that the decision taken by DUP Environment Minister Edwin Poots was unlawful, that environmental considerations were not considered and that before taking the decision they failed to ensure that there was an effective noise control system in place.

As such the High Court orders, quashed the Minister's decision to lift the cap and the revised planning agreement containing the removal of this restriction, is no longer in force.

Editorial

This decision is a victory for not only Belfast International Airport but also for local resident's group Belfast City Airport Watch, who feared an increase in the numbers of larger aircraft using the airport. This decision effects residents across North Down as well as South and East Belfast, who are under the airport's main flight paths.

The Department of Environment is now to pay the 'Legal Costs' incurred in both cases. Given that the Minister made the original decision, against opposition from the airport watch and other residents, it is questionable why the public purse should pay the cost of these legal cases. Perhaps, Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive would pause for thought, before acting against a public outcry, if we were to surcharge them the costs.

Last Updated: 25th October 2011