Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has called on the Government to guarantee slots at Heathrow for regional airports, following their decision to allow for expansion at the airport.  Lord Empey pressed the case with the Transport Minister in the House of Lords.

 Lord Empey said:

 “You can have as many runways as you like, but it is landing slots that matter.  I introduced my Airports (amendment) Bill to give the Government the power to ring fence landing slots at Heathrow to protect regional airports.  The Government has no such power at present and during the passage of the Bill, the Minister said that he couldn't support me because it would be against EU legislation.

“Now that we are leaving the European Union, I invited the Minister to confirm that he would now support my Bill and guarantee that Northern Ireland would retain its access to Heathrow. 

“Northern Ireland's air link to Heathrow is a vital tool to ensure our economic stability and growth.  I note that British Airways' parent company is now 20% owned by a Gulf State Airline, Qatar Airways.  Their share of the Company has grown substantially this year, something I warned was a possibility.  If Gulf State airlines are to create big hubs in the Middle East, then slots at Heathrow being used for long haul routes to the Far East are likely to be more profitable than domestic routes such as Belfast. 

“While I welcome the Minister's assurance that Northern Ireland and other regions will have their interests protected, including with new routes, there is still no legislative ability for the Government to enforce its worthy aims.

“I will continue with the campaign to guarantee slots at Heathrow for Northern Ireland.  Promises from Ministers, while welcome, are no substitute for a legislative guarantee.  Leaving these decisions in the hands of the airlines, which is the current position, is totally unacceptable.”