MP calls for 'urgent review' of flight connections

DUP Jim Shannon MP raise the issue of flight connectivity in an urgent question in the House of Commons

A DUP MP has called for an "urgent review of procedures" on flight connections between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Jim Shannon said flight cancellations between Belfast and London were "fast becoming the norm" affecting business investment and tourism.

The matter was the subject of an urgent question in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Mike Kane MP, a minister in the Department for Transport said that the "department is actively engaging with regional airports including those in Northern Ireland to understand how government can support and unlock opportunities for growth".

Jim Shannon explained how a cancelled flight on Monday from Belfast City to London City affected several passengers, including a family getting a connecting flight to their holiday destination, and a person on their way to a health appointment in London.

That individual subsequently missed their appointment.

Shannon said: "This was the flight that never was, they took our money, they took our boarding passes and they let us through security and then the plane wasn't there".

Mike Kane said it was the responsibility of airlines and airports to work together to minimise delays and cancellations.

British Airways have been approached for comment.

Airport support?

South Antrim MP, Robin Swann questioned the minister on the available support for airports in Northern Ireland to ensure continued and improved connectivity.

He raised the point that the previous Conservative government promised £2.3million to Belfast International airport under a 'levelling up' agreement.

Kane said that it was "great" to have the Northern Ireland executive up and running again and under the "devolution settlement they will be getting more money but that's a matter for how they spend it".

Traditional Unionist Voice leader, Jim Allister asked the minister about commercial monopoly and what action the government intended to take to encourage competition in the market.

Kane repeated that the matter would be looked at when the public service obligations were reviewed.

"There is a very open market in terms of connectivity and a number of airlines from Northern Ireland from Belfast in particularly to the South-east and other places in the UK" he added.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy and Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd alongside Steve Frazer MD Airport & John Kelpie Council CEO at City of Derry airport

Colum Eastwood thanked the government and the Northern Ireland Executive for the recent commitment to the Derry City Airport but asked the Transport minister to work with airlines to lower fares.

Eastwood said connectivity between Heathrow and the North West was "very important" but fares were "out of reach" for many passengers.