News from September 2006

Airport Passengers and Jobs to Soar by 2030

Published: 12 September 2006

Airport Draft Master Plan launched for consultation.

PASSENGER numbers at Belfast International Airport are set to soar to more than 12 million and 7,000 additional jobs could be created by 2030.

The figures are revealed today in the airport's Master Plan 2005-2030 which sets out the proposed development of the airport and its economic contribution to Northern Ireland.

The plan is available for public scrutiny and consultation and the airport looks forward to replies from interested parties who have until October 31, 2006, to express their view.

Permanent Secretary at the Department of Regional Development, Mr Gerry McGinn, launched the consultation phase of the plan at the airport.

Managing director John Doran said; "When the government published its White Paper on the 'Future of Air Transport' there was an expectation that airports would develop master plans outlining their sustainable development through to 2030.

"In producing today's plan that's exactly what we have done as we are acutely aware of the key strategic role which Belfast International has to play in delivering a brighter economic future for Northern Ireland and its surrounding region.

"We recognise the importance of matching the future economic development needs of the region with an appropriate strategy for the development of air access and our Master Plan represents a key element of that strategy.

'We're confident our investment plans for this airport will result in a fantastic economic asset for Northern Ireland that contributes not just to this economy but to the wider island economy as a whole because of the number of people using Belfast International as a gateway to Ireland for business and pleasure and as a route to markets abroad."

The key points outlined and proposed in the plan are:

• BIA has a central regional location allied to a 400 hectare site, offering significant scope for commercial and industrial development.
• Median passenger forecasts indicate 6.9 million passengers per annum by 2015, 10.4 million passengers per annum by 2030.  High growth forecasts predict in excess of 12 million passengers per annum by 2030.
• Air cargo forecasts indicate 69,000 tonnes of flown freight and mail per annum by 2015, 109,000 tonnes by 2030.  High growth forecasts predict up to 148,000 tonnes by 2030.  Additional dedicated facilities will be constructed over the Plan period in order to accommodate this growth.
• By 2015 significant infrastructure developments will be required to make more efficient use of the space currently available within the terminal, to extend the check-in hall, construct additional piers from the Terminal building and provide additional apron space for passenger aircraft.
• Beyond 2015 demolition of the original Terminal core is envisaged, plus construction of a new 3-storey central core, linking to existing and recently developed areas of the passenger Terminal.  In addition there will need to be an expansion and re-organisation of aircraft parking aprons.
• There will be ongoing development of the Airport Business Park throughout the Plan period, driven by market demand as it arises.
• The plan envisages numerous ongoing surface access initiatives, including highway improvements to the M2 motorway feeding Belfast city centre, prospective passenger rail connection and enhanced public transport links throughout the entire region.
• Environmental impacts will be carefully managed and limited, in strict adherence to the Airport's established Environmental Policy.
• Under the median growth forecast, potentially up to 7,000 additional
  on-site jobs could be created from Airport-related activity by 2030.
• The Master Plan represents an appropriate mechanism to deliver the balance between economic benefit and environmental disbenefit as envisaged within the Government's White Paper.

"We believe this Master Plan can help deliver sustainable development over the next two decades without having an unacceptable impact on the environment or the communities living near the airport," said John Doran.  "There cannot be wanton growth at the expense of the environment and local communities.

"There must be growth which recognises that a balance has to be struck between economic imperatives and environmental/community sensitivities. The views of interested parties are very welcome."

In launching the plan Mr Doran is laying out the airport's stall over the next two decades where he wants BIA to be seen as the airport of choice for residents in the North of the island of Ireland and where the airport is an integral and instrumental part of the economic development of the region.