Ulster Unionist peer Lord Empey has described comments by British Airways’ owner that the company could give up on Heathrow and move overseas, as a wake-up call for Stormont and all those who care about Northern Ireland’s only link to the National hub airport of Heathrow.

Lord Empey said:

“Comments reported today from Willie Walsh, the Chief Executive of BA’s parent company AIG, left the reader in no doubt as to that company’s position in the event of passenger charges being doubled to pay for a third runway at Heathrow. Mr Walsh said that BA could “develop our business” in Dublin or Madrid, rather than pay for the expansion of Heathrow.

“For the last three years I have been warning of the dangers of Northern Ireland becoming isolated from the nation's main hub airport at Heathrow. Twice I have introduced a Private Members Bill in Parliament to give the Government power to ring fence slots at Heathrow to protect regional access to Heathrow. My Bill is shortly to have its Committee stage in the House.

“Last week I travelled to Brussels on a visit arranged by Jim Nicholson MEP to meet with, amongst others, Michael Cramer MEP the Chairman of the EU Parliament's Transport Committee where our concerns were understood and well received.

“I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport, the Stormont Minister for Regional Development and also the Stormont Regional Development committee and have been doing all I can to raise awareness of the fragile nature of our vital economic air link to Heathrow.

“While some have listened and responded positively, there seems to be a complacent attitude in government about the dangers we face.

“I welcomed the proposal to give the Assembly power to set the rate of Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland, having campaigned for that for many years, but any advantage gained from that would be swept away if we lose vital air route connections, especially to London.

“We have only one operator flying that route today, BA, and as we see from today's press their commitment to Heathrow is conditional on other decisions over which we have no control. It’s long past time that governments both in London and Stormont wake up to the dangers inherent in this fast developing situation.

“A top level meeting is needed with Patrick McLoughlin MP and other Ministers and this should be co-ordinated by the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers MP and involving Stormont Ministers and MLAs.

“My Bill is a platform to raise the issue in Parliament, but what is needed is urgent action to avoid an economic disaster.”