SOUTH Antrim MLA Jim Wilson has called on the Government to come up with a
blueprint that would "fast track" the development of Belfast International
Airport.

The Ulster Unionist politician has also accused the Planning Service of
high-handedness and contempt by forging ahead with a Consultation Process
into planning restrictions at Belfast City Airport.

Mr Wilson, in a letter to the Planning Minister, Angela Smith MP, said: "At
the very least, the planners should delay a decision on the lifting of
restrictions at Belfast City Airport until the Northern Ireland Affairs
Select Committee at Westminster has had adequate time to consider the best
way forward for Northern Ireland airports generally.

"This so-called consultation over the busy Christmas and New Year holiday
period is wholly inadequate given the seriousness of what is being
examined.

"Belfast International Airport is strategically of vital importance not just
to South Antrim but to Northern Ireland as a whole. Anything that threatens
or undermines its position is bad news and needs to be resisted.

"BIA accounts for 4,000 or so jobs in this region and recent very positive
developments are a sign of what could happen on a more accelerated basis if
the Government decided on an over-arching approach to the development of
airport infrastructure generally, and not on the narrow demands on one
airport over the other.

"It makes sense to fast track developments at Belfast International where
there is adequate space available and none of the issues that beset Belfast
City. For the planners to consider lifting the passenger cap at Belfast city
at a time when the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is engaged in a much
wider Inquiry is high-handed and shows contempt for the work that is so well
advanced.

"The Minister should shelve the Consultation Process until the committee has
completed its work as one of the major items on its agenda will be planning
restrictions at Belfast City and where it sits in the overall scheme of
things.

"I don't believe the Minister will heed my advice which is a great pity. She
will decide on the next stage, and I, for one, believe that that should be a
full Public Inquiry so that we get real transparency and accountability".