Sir, – In Northern Ireland we also have concerns about the future of flights between Belfast and both Gatwick and Heathrow Airports. BA flies to Heathrow, and Aer Lingus flies to both Gatwick and Heathrow.
In reply to my question in parliament, the British government has confirmed that it has made no representations to safeguard Heathrow or Gatwick slots for air services from Belfast.
It goes further and states that EU regulations govern the allocation, transfer and exchange of slots at Heathrow and that they stipulate that the actual process of slot allocation is undertaken entirely independently of the government, the UK Civil Aviation Authority or other parties!
With these EU restrictions, how can a guarantee be given about the future of London Airport slots to the Republic? – Yours, etc,
LORD KILCLOONEY,
Mullinure,
Armagh City.