This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-37834823

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
United Airlines to stop Belfast to New York flights United Airlines to stop Belfast to New York flights
(35 minutes later)
US airline United is to stop flights between Belfast and New York, months after a £9m rescue deal.US airline United is to stop flights between Belfast and New York, months after a £9m rescue deal.
The financial assistance was revealed by BBC News NI in August.The financial assistance was revealed by BBC News NI in August.
Most of the money, which was to be given to United over three years, was to come from the Stormont Executive.Most of the money, which was to be given to United over three years, was to come from the Stormont Executive.
The flight is the only regular direct air link between Northern Ireland and the US. The last departure from Belfast will be on 9 January.The flight is the only regular direct air link between Northern Ireland and the US. The last departure from Belfast will be on 9 January.
The last departure from Newark/New York will be the day before.The last departure from Newark/New York will be the day before.
It is understood only part of the £9m aid was ever paid to United and it will be recouped with interest.
United said it had taken the decision because of the route's poor financial performance.United said it had taken the decision because of the route's poor financial performance.
"We will contact customers with bookings for flights beyond those dates to provide refunds and re-accommodate where possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused," they added."We will contact customers with bookings for flights beyond those dates to provide refunds and re-accommodate where possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused," they added.
The bigger story here is our understanding that it was the European Commission that blocked the £9m aid package, ruling that it was contravention of state aid rules.The bigger story here is our understanding that it was the European Commission that blocked the £9m aid package, ruling that it was contravention of state aid rules.
It's my understanding that United was told this by the European Commission.It's my understanding that United was told this by the European Commission.
There's been no reaction yet from the Stormont Executive or government ministers, but the question will be, when they made the aid available, did they bother to check if it breached EU regulations?There's been no reaction yet from the Stormont Executive or government ministers, but the question will be, when they made the aid available, did they bother to check if it breached EU regulations?
The executive and Belfast International Airport would say they bent over backwards to accommodate United airlines when it wanted to end the route in the summer.The executive and Belfast International Airport would say they bent over backwards to accommodate United airlines when it wanted to end the route in the summer.
It's also not yet known at this point how much of the £9m aid package that United had already received.It's also not yet known at this point how much of the £9m aid package that United had already received.
However, Belfast International Airport said the flight is going because the European Commission blocked the funding package on state aid grounds.However, Belfast International Airport said the flight is going because the European Commission blocked the funding package on state aid grounds.
It added that the decision would be a "body blow" to Northern Ireland Executive ministers "who use it to promote Northern Ireland to would-be investors from the United States".It added that the decision would be a "body blow" to Northern Ireland Executive ministers "who use it to promote Northern Ireland to would-be investors from the United States".
"To block a support package for an airline that delivers direct access to the United States is almost beyond comprehension," Belfast International Airport's managing director Graham Keddie said."To block a support package for an airline that delivers direct access to the United States is almost beyond comprehension," Belfast International Airport's managing director Graham Keddie said.
'Emergency procedure''Emergency procedure'
"This is a bad day for the executive and a bad day for Northern Ireland, which is still finding its feet after a generation lost to conflict. The United service was well supported and only recently carried its millionth passenger."This is a bad day for the executive and a bad day for Northern Ireland, which is still finding its feet after a generation lost to conflict. The United service was well supported and only recently carried its millionth passenger.
"We have worked tirelessly to safeguard the service, but Brussels took a different view, believing the support package gave United an unfair advantage over services from elsewhere.""We have worked tirelessly to safeguard the service, but Brussels took a different view, believing the support package gave United an unfair advantage over services from elsewhere."
Ulster Unionist economy spokesman Steve Aiken said the withdrawal of the service was an "international embarrassment".
"We need to know what checks were made with the European Union over state aid and who took the decision that it was not an issue?" he said.
"This is a huge blow to our international standing and the minister must tell us what he intends to do to sort it out."
In September, MLAs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) were told the deal got rushed executive approval in the face of concern about value for money.In September, MLAs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) were told the deal got rushed executive approval in the face of concern about value for money.
The NI Auditor General said Economy Minister Simon Hamilton issued a ministerial direction for the bail-out, which was endorsed by First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, "under emergency procedure".The NI Auditor General said Economy Minister Simon Hamilton issued a ministerial direction for the bail-out, which was endorsed by First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, "under emergency procedure".