Michael O'Leary rejects call for runway enquiry

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has rejected for a call for a public enquiry into the proposed runway extension at Belfast City Airport. Speaking on the BBC Northern Ireland program 'Spotlight' broadcast Tuesday night, O'Leary said that he feels the extension will be granted even though there is growing opposition to the proposal. Over 1,700 objections have been lodged since the planning application was submitted in November 2008.

When Michale O'Leary visited the airport late last year he promised that Ryanair would begin international services from Belfast City if the runway extension was approved. In order for Ryanair's operation to reach critical mass at the airport the airline has to be able to increase it's load factor, something it presently cannot do with the current field restrictions,.

Unsurprisingly the largest operator at Belfast City, FlyBee do not see the need for a runway extension.