Debate contribution: Belfast City Airport Master Plan
Debate contribution by Mr Peter McReynolds on .
- MLA
- Mr Peter McReynolds
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 11 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Belfast City Airport Master Plan
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5524196
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As an MLA for East Belfast and a member of the Infrastructure Committee, I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Belfast City Airport master plan, and I welcome the fact that the Infrastructure Minister is here to respond to the debate. The UK Government encourage all airports to have a master plan. As the previous master plan for Belfast City Airport was published in 2006, it is important that the airport now have an up-to-date document. As the aviation industry continues to evolve and grow, it is necessary for airports to keep up with demand and capacity to allow connectivity across the UK. The document was part of a robust consultation process. It received 376 formal responses, and 72% of respondents supported the ambition of the draft report. The openness and transparency shown were greatly welcomed before the published master plan statement was launched earlier this year. Throughout the master plan, the will and desire to work with others to achieve the airport's goals were clear, with aims of achieving environmental targets and sustainability goals tied to its overall growth. That will allow Belfast City Airport to stand out as a key part of aviation on the island of Ireland while showing the power of innovation and technological progress. When it comes to the environment and sustainability, the master plan shows new and forward-thinking ideas, which are welcome. The UK's jet zero strategy will require aviation to think differently about how transport is conducted. This master plan takes the next steps in achieving those targets. The environmental goals are positive, with aspirations to achieve 10% of 2040 energy needs through on-site renewables; reduce site water consumption by 50% by 2035; introduce electric power to aircraft from all stands. It is about seeing sustainability as common sense, rather than a barrier, in the modern day. We know how much aviation contributes to climate change. In that context, steps towards greater sustainability are essential, not a luxury.
As the proposer of the motion acknowledged, the introduction of the first rail halt for an airport on the island of Ireland will also be a game changer for east Belfast, reducing traffic emissions while improving access for passengers. The encouragement of airlines to move to more environmentally friendly and quieter aircraft will also contribute positively by reducing emissions while not impeding biodiversity or creating further noise pollution. For many years, the airport has played a key function by supporting community groups through its community fund. That funding will increase by £300,000 in the next three years to support schools, charities and community projects. Alongside that, it will create an employment academy, allowing for up to 15% of new jobs to be delivered through apprenticeships. East Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole have huge potential for aviation development, and the master plan is just one part of a larger move towards sustainable and environmentally friendly travel. Just last week, Mr Honeyford, my office and I met CATAGEN, which is an east Belfast-based company whose goal is to clean and decarbonise air. It was founded by two men who went to Queen's University Belfast, one of whom had an idea for how to create sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel as part of his PhD. Today, CATAGEN is leading innovation by creating sustainable aviation fuel just down the road from this Building. Furthermore, just last week, I welcomed the announcement of an order placed by AirAsia for 150 aircrafts, valued at around £14 billion, the wings and fuselage for which are made in east Belfast. East Belfast has had, as it will always have, successes and a proud heritage of building ships and planes, and the future of Belfast City Airport can be one part of making Northern Ireland a world leader in aviation and innovation. I look forward to any update from the Minister for Infrastructure today on the aviation strategy and acknowledge a potential future planning application for further and wider consultation on more detailed plans.
668 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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