North-South relations would be politically damaged if the Government intervened to persuade Aer Lingus to reverse its decision to establish its first base outside the Republic at Belfast International Airport, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson claimed yesterday.
Senior Northern Ireland politicians urged Aer Lingus to press ahead with its new operation at Belfast International Airport. Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson said the Northern Executive may have to intervene to ensure the move.
The DUP, Sinn Féin, the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP made clear yesterday that the opening of Aer Lingus routes from the airport, commonly known as Aldergrove, was a crucial economic development for Northern Ireland.
The strongest comments came from Lagan Valley MP Mr Donaldson who played a pivotal role in persuading Aer Lingus to open its first base outside the Republic at Aldergrove.
"If the Irish Government were to intervene politically to seek to overturn what was purely a commercial decision, it would have very serious implications for the prospects of future North-South co-operation," he said.
"It would be seen as a body blow to the prospects for bringing economic prosperity to Northern Ireland. I think it would seriously damage North-South co-operation at all levels and undoubtedly undermine what has been the growing co-operation between Belfast and Dublin."
Mr Donaldson also told The Irish Times about his involvement in bringing Aer Lingus to Northern Ireland, opening up flights to Heathrow and seven other European destinations. Aer Lingus had concerns about the political climate in the North, he said. "We were able to reassure them that - in the context of what was a purely commercial decision - that they would be welcome in Northern Ireland and that we would accommodate them in making the move to Belfast International Airport."
Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson warned that the Northern Ireland Executive may have to consider intervening in the controversy "to ensure that the Aer Lingus decision to base its new UK hub at Belfast goes ahead as planned".
"The First Minister and the Executive will have to consider intervening to ensure that the Aer Lingus plans go ahead. It is a situation which nobody wants to see happen but ultimately may be required if the plans are in danger. Quite clearly, those involved must get a grip on the situation very quickly. The reaction of many in the Republic of Ireland has left a bitter taste in the mouth. North-South economic co-operation cannot always benefit one side more than the other.
"After years of missing out on so much, Northern Ireland deserves to see economic investment of the type Aer Lingus has committed to, which after all was made on a sound, pragmatic economic basis."
Mitchel McLaughlin, Sinn Féin MLA for South Antrim, where the airport is based, said he believed a compromise could be reached that would benefit Shannon and Belfast. What was required was balanced regional development on the island of Ireland where the development of Belfast International Airport "should not have and did not have to be at the expense of Shannon".
"What all this highlights is the pressing need for a joined-up approach to the economy and specifically to economic development," said Mr McLaughlin.
SDLP MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell said the issue of Aer Lingus moving to Belfast "need not be a zero-sum game between Aldergrove and Shannon". He was conscious of the sensitivities and the sense of loss of the people of Shannon but said the decision should not be altered by Government intervention.
