Ministers worry over air links between London and Belfast

Ministers are concerned that a vital air link between London and George Best Belfast City Airport may soon disappear.

Travel Insurance News - 01/12/2011

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MPs in Westminster heard the concerns following confirmation from Owen Paterson, the secretary of state, that he had engaged in talks with Willie Wash of International Airlines Group (IAG), the owner of British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia.

The two had met because of IAG’s bid to acquire BMI from German owners Lufthansa. Mr Walsh says if the deal goes through that it would be positive news for the UK, but ministers are now worried that it will lead to a full loss of services between Heathrow and Belfast City.

MP Lady Sylvia Hermon of North Down said she has become increasingly concerned that flights between the two airports would be axed following a written answer to parliament from Mr Paterson, which she said was not clear in answering the question of whether or not some of the flights would be immediately reduced following the sale of BMI.

Patterson has since responded for the lack of clarity in his statement and said to the NI affairs committee that he had informed Walsh on how important the route was considered to be.

But when asked if he could guarantee that the link would remain in place, Patterson told the committee that he was in “no position” for giving guarantees because during Friday’s meeting that Walsh had been going through due diligence.

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