Motion

Delivering the Belfast City Airport Master Plan

Motion TitleDelivering the Belfast City Airport Master Plan

Motion TextThat this Assembly welcomes the Belfast City Airport Master Plan 2040, which aims to accommodate seven million passengers, double the airport workforce and provide a £1.7 billion boost to the Northern Ireland economy by 2040; supports plans to expand terminal and airfield facilities, establish a new onsite hotel and pursue the first direct rail link of any airport in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland; believes these steps are essential to strengthen Northern Ireland’s reputation as a leading destination for visitors from Great Britain, Europe and the rest of the world; cautions against laws, policies or targets which would jeopardise such investment in major infrastructure and, specifically, hamper efforts by local airports to attract more flights, expand their route network and meet the needs of passengers; regrets the continuing failure of the Department for the Economy to produce a comprehensive aviation strategy for Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister for the Economy and Minister for Infrastructure to present proposals to the Executive on how they intend to support the actions outlined in the Belfast City Airport Master Plan 2040.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Date Tabled to Business Office24/03/2026

Date Selected By Committee28/04/2026

Date of Plenary Debate11/05/2026

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Tabled By

Member Name	Tabled As
Mr Phillip Brett	MLA - North Belfast
Ms Diane Forsythe	MLA - South Down
Mr Jonathan Buckley	MLA - Upper Bann

Bills

Outcome/Voting

The Motion, As Amended, Was Carried by Oral Vote

Amendments

Selected Amendments

Number	Tabled Date	Amendment Text
1	07/05/2026	Leave out all after ‘any airport’ and insert: ‘on the island; believes these steps are essential to strengthen our reputation as a leading destination for tourism; recognises the importance of air connectivity to the island as an economic driver for business, tourism and family travel; further recognises the need for more sustainable aviation; acknowledges that the Department for the Economy is currently consulting on aviation policy; and calls for collaboration among the relevant Executive Departments and Belfast City Council to support the development of Belfast City Airport.’

Other Amendments Tabled

Tabled Date	Amendment Text
06/05/2026	Leave out all after ‘rest of the world;’ and insert: ‘agrees that economic development, environmental protection and decarbonisation do not need to be in conflict but must go hand in hand, and that major infrastructure projects must be developed in line with planning rules and statutory regulations; further agrees that the development of local airports should be designed as part of a comprehensive aviation strategy for Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister for the Economy and the Minister for Infrastructure to present proposals to the Executive on how they intend to support the actions outlined in the Belfast City Airport Master Plan 2040 while fulfilling Northern Ireland’s environmental obligations.’

Tabled Date

Amendment Text

06/05/2026

Leave out all after ‘rest of the world;’ and insert: ‘agrees that economic development, environmental protection and decarbonisation do not need to be in conflict but must go hand in hand, and that major infrastructure projects must be developed in line with planning rules and statutory regulations; further agrees that the development of local airports should be designed as part of a comprehensive aviation strategy for Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister for the Economy and the Minister for Infrastructure to present proposals to the Executive on how they intend to support the actions outlined in the Belfast City Airport Master Plan 2040 while fulfilling Northern Ireland’s environmental obligations.’

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Delivering the Belfast City Airport Master Plan

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