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NI 'only needs one major airport' | NI 'only needs one major airport' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Northern Ireland only needs one major airport, the chief executive of Aer Lingus has said. | Northern Ireland only needs one major airport, the chief executive of Aer Lingus has said. |
In an interview with the Newsletter, Christoph Mueller said it did not make economic sense to have two airports in the greater Belfast area. | In an interview with the Newsletter, Christoph Mueller said it did not make economic sense to have two airports in the greater Belfast area. |
His struggling airline flies from Belfast International which he said, because of its longer runway, can offer a better service than Belfast City. | His struggling airline flies from Belfast International which he said, because of its longer runway, can offer a better service than Belfast City. |
Belfast City is planning to extend its runway. | Belfast City is planning to extend its runway. |
Mr Mueller told the Newsletter that given Northern Ireland's size "it is not the right resource allocation to have two airports". | |
"It is economically not very sensible nor meaningful to invest in two half airports rather than one real one," he said. | |
Competition | Competition |
"Where there are two airports you always have a tendency to operate a smaller size of aircraft - it means that resources are not properly allocated." | "Where there are two airports you always have a tendency to operate a smaller size of aircraft - it means that resources are not properly allocated." |
Competition between Belfast's two airports has begun to increase with Easyjet deciding to move one of its routes from Belfast International to the City. | Competition between Belfast's two airports has begun to increase with Easyjet deciding to move one of its routes from Belfast International to the City. |
A twice-daily service to London Luton will leave from the city airport from 7 January 2010. | A twice-daily service to London Luton will leave from the city airport from 7 January 2010. |
Mr Mueller was appointed to the Aer Lingus job in July. | Mr Mueller was appointed to the Aer Lingus job in July. |
He replaced Dermot Mannion who resigned in April, a month after the group reported a net loss of 108m euros for 2008. | He replaced Dermot Mannion who resigned in April, a month after the group reported a net loss of 108m euros for 2008. |