A new report from the Public Accounts Committee has recommended that the seat cap currently in force at the George Best Belfast City Airport should be removed provided it is replaced with tougher noise controls.
Local East Belfast residents have voiced concerns that lifting the cap, which currently stands at two million per year, would result in a noisier airport and adversely affect their quality of life.
The PAC committee said the area affected by aircraft noise levels which caused peoples concern, 57 decibels, should not exceed 5.2 square kilometres.
Following the release of the new report, Belfast City Airport said: “We welcome the recommendation by the Planning Appeals Commission to remove the seats for sale limit, which has been a long standing barrier to our business”.
A local residents spokes women commented after reading the report: “We don’t believe such a move is necessary as there is already plenty of spare capacity for further airline passenger growth within Northern Ireland at the International airport.”
A final decision on seat numbers now rests with Environment Minister Mark H Durkan.
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