EU blocks funding package for Belfast to New York flight

Northern Ireland's only scheduled transatlantic flight to the USA is to be scrapped following an EU ruling.

Belfast International Airport says the decision defies logic and is an example of ‘abysmal Brussels decision-making.’

The airport’s Managing Director, Graham Keddie, in a statement, said: “You could

hardly get a worse example of process-driven madness. To block a support package

for an airline that delivers direct access to the United States is almost beyond

comprehension.

“This is a vital link for business and losing it will be a body blow to Executive

Ministers who use it to promote Northern Ireland to would-be investors from the

United States.

“The adverse impact is all the greater, coming as it does ahead of the crucial

decision to make Northern Ireland more competitive with reduced Corporation Tax

designed to stimulate inward investment.

“This is a bad day for the Executive and a bad day for Northern Ireland".

Mr. Keddie says the United Airlines flight to New York will now be scrapped on the 9th of January.

The £9m rescue deal - announced in the summer - would have mostly come from the Stormont Executive.