Clearly , air route development is important for tourism but also the wider economy in the UK . Here in Northern Ireland there is no question that air route development needs to be higher on the agenda and taken even more seriously . Dr Peter Bolan
years when the Republic dropped their equivalent to Northern Ireland ’ s APD which then paved the way for airports there ( most notably Dublin ) to more viably attract a host of new routes .
The concern has therefore been that we would watch air route development strengthen the economy in the Republic whilst here in Northern Ireland things either remain static or certainly develop much more slowly in comparison .
In terms of air routes , Dublin already still serves five times more cities than Belfast and airline seat capacity in the summer period is ten times higher than for Belfast . Whichever way we cut it we are at a clear disadvantage in this regard . It has been proven that reducing APD is one of the most effective ways to enable airports to attract new routes and increase passenger numbers .
Therefore this is something that warrants serious attention in terms of both tourism strategy and wider economic strategy for Northern Ireland going forward .
Other issues Other issues facing development of our air connectivity include the cap on passenger numbers at Belfast City Airport . Limiting seat capacity there curtails any true meaningful air route development for the future in relation to that airport . The airport itself has been trying to lift the seats cap since 2004 .
Moves in recent years to have the cap lifted has brought more controversy in terms of objections from local residents in the airport vicinity , mostly relating to concerns over noise pollution .
With any new growth and development ( including tourism ) it is of course a balance and the views of our local communities have to be included and taken into consideration . Nonetheless , if our economy is to grow and our tourism industry is to flourish and continue its current upward trend then these kinds of measures need to be addressed .
The role that airlines and airports play in opening up new destinations and allowing existing destinations to grow is massive . Therefore , whatever the challenges , we have to move this crucially important aspect of development much higher up the agenda .
That is why Belfast hosting the ‘ Routes
Europe ’ 2017 conference at the end of April is such a truly significant achievement .
It gives Northern Ireland a platform and an impetus to fully address the issue and to do so with many of the key players who will actually be here on the ground for the event . It also puts the media spotlight even more firmly on these issues .
The conference presents a fantastic opportunity then which to be embraced fully .
Proper development of air routes and good effective air connectivity enables flows of trade , investment , labour , knowledge and tourists that ultimately support economic growth by providing new opportunities , improving productivity and increasing competition .
These benefits can then extend directly and indirectly across all sectors of our economy .
Let ’ s start planning towards achieving more in this regard , so we can harness this important event to maximum effect .
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