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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. 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. "It is economically not very sensible nor meaningful to invest in two half airports rather than one real one," he said.
CompetitionCompetition
"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.