Aer Lingus hub plans could mean 1,000 jobs for Belfast

UP TO 1,000 jobs could be created if Aer Lingus proceeds with plans to make Belfast International Airport its British hub, it was claimed yesterday.

The airport, Aldergrove, is understood to be one of only a handful of airports being considered for the British leg of the expansion by Aer Lingus.

The airport’s managing director John Doran said he was “hopeful of a positive outcome” in the current talks with the airline.

Democratic Unionist Party transport spokesman Jeffrey Donaldson said the airport is moving ever closer to attracting Aer Lingus, adding it could mean up to 15 new European routes and a reinstated Belfast International-Heathrow link.

Currently, Bmi offers the only link between the North and Heathrow from Belfast City Airport.

He said he endorsed efforts that are under way to attract Aer Lingus to Belfast International, noting the move has the potential to generate perhaps as many as 1,000 jobs.

“Aer Lingus is a respected carrier with its eye on growth opportunities in the United Kingdom, while the international airport is growing its business at an impressive rate,” he said. “The two could not be better suited. It makes sense for Aer Lingus to come to Belfast as a base at the international airport would broaden its catchment area in the UK while reinforcing the airport’s position as a major strategic economic asset.”

Aer Lingus commercial director Enda Corneille confirmed Belfast International Airport is “in the mix” to become the British hub but that no final decision will be made for a number of months.

More than five million passengers travelled through the airport in 2006.