Belfast International Airport (BIA) is the third largest handler of airfreight in the U.K., behind only the hubs serving the London area. The Northern Ireland city is concerned it could lose its edge due to rapid growth at Dublin Airport, not to mention the planned major expansion at Heathrow that could double its capacity over the next 15 years.
To ensure that Belfast can still compete, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) is lobbying members of Parliament to back plans for a enterprise zone and road improvements at the Belfast airport.
With passenger numbers at Dublin Airport increasing from a half-million in 2013 to 864,000 in 2014, Dublin Airport could affect BIA’s ability to attract long-haul flights, which could limit belly-hold availability.
“Millions are being spent on attracting and retaining investment in high-end manufacturing, such as pharmaceuticals and aircraft parts, which all rely on air freight in their supply chain,” said Seamus Leheny, Northern Ireland’s manager for the FTA. “Urgent action is needed to ensure Belfast International Airport is an attractive prospect for investors and has the necessary infrastructure to support efficient air freight operations.”
As a designated Enterprise Zone, BIA could offer a range of financial incentives for businesses, Leheny said, citing other example, such as Manchester Airport, which was the first in the U.K. to develop an “airport city” concept and target new revenue streams.
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