South Antrim Ulster Unionist Party representatives, Danny Kinahan MP and Steve Aiken OBE MLA, have welcomed the news that Belfast International Airport is being used by the United States military.
Danny Kinahan MP said:
“We are delighted that the International Airport is being used by the US and other military allies. This sends out the right message that Northern Ireland is an open, outward looking place.
“The fact that we are co-operating with other nations can only help when it comes to bringing jobs into Northern Ireland, particularly crucial investment from the United States.
“Given the disadvantage that our airport faces with the continued burden of Air Passenger Duty, we should encourage our International Airport to attract as much traffic as possible, both civilian and military.
“Sinn Fein needs to move away from their outdated views on the military. The reality is that around the world NATO forces are helping the most vulnerable, such as saving refugees in the Mediterranean, and fighting against the Ebola virus in Africa.”
Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:
“It is standard operating procedure that airports are used for routine military operations. This happens at international airports right across the world and Northern Ireland should be no different.
“There has been a military presence at Aldergrove for nearly a hundred years, so the news today is nothing out of the ordinary, which makes the criticism from Sinn Fein all the more ridiculous.
“The Ulster Unionist Party fully supports the use of our great International Airport by our close allies in NATO, including the United States.”