In Northern Ireland 2012 has been marked out as “Our Time, Our Place”.  But with conflicting views being expressed over the future of the Belfast City-London Heathrow flight, visiting “Our Place” might not be so easy. 

For our local economy to thrive it is vital that we enjoy good connections with the other regions.  Northern Ireland depends on our air connections to mainland UK and the hub airport of Heathrow in particular, as the other option of ferry crossing is not suitable for many business and other users. 

Because Northern Ireland’s access to our national hub airport at Heathrow is in the hands of the airlines who own the slots and the Government currently has no power to intervene, I introduced my Airports (Amendments) Bill to the Lords in December 2011. This Bill was given a second Reading on 16^th March 2012, but because of the end of the Parliamentary Session today, I am re-introducing it on 14^th May.

Having representing East Belfast, I know how important it is that Belfast City Airport, as well as Belfast International, provides a direct link to the main business hub in Great Britain, Heathrow.  Without this connection, it would be extremely difficult, even impossible, for many in our business community to grow their businesses or to attract investment. 

The comments made by Willie Walsh last week to the effect that Air Passenger Duty is threatening the Heathrow link highlights the necessity for my Bill to be passed as quickly as possible.   It is no longer acceptable that airlines dictate who as access to Heathrow.  The Government must have the power to ensure that the regions have their fair share of the landing slots at Heathrow. 

It is no longer acceptable that Northern Ireland faces an uncertainty over our access to such a vital hub.  We are currently facing a ridiculous situation where we are exposed to the whims of a fickle market because international flights earn more money for the airlines than the regional ones; hence the threat to the regional domestic landing slots.

There is a major European dimension to this as the UK has given the EU a power of competence to deal with such aviation issues. By co-incidence, the European Commission and the EU Parliament are working on similar issues at the present time, giving us an opportunity to get their approval for my Bill.

I have recently visited Brussels to discuss these measures, and am grateful for the help of my Party colleague Jim Nicholson MEP and his staff.

 This is a route which is vital to those who are travelling for both business and leisure.  I will continue to pursue my Airports (Amendments) Bill and seek assurances that this route is safe.  The comments from Willie Walsh should be viewed as a wake-up call that this issue needs to be resolved urgently.  Such uncertainty is damaging for inward investment, business and tourist confidence.