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09/11/2016
Hamilton Hits Out At Critics Of Executive Package To Save UA Route
The European Commission (EC) was due to investigate the Northern Ireland Executive's £9m support package when United Airlines announced that it was to close its Belfast-Newark route, it has been announced.
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said that at a meeting attended by the EC, United Airlines and his department, it was made clear that the Commission believed "the support package for the Belfast-Newark service constituted state aid."
Minister Hamilton added: "The Commission was also poised to trigger a formal investigation into a complaint received about the Executive package.
"Faced with the Commission's starting viewpoint and the likelihood that this would be confirmed in the formal investigation of the complaint, United took the decision to end the service.
"I deeply regret that decision, but that does not mean we were wrong to try to save the route. Our critics have to decide if they are complaining about the loss of the route or our attempt to preserve it. They can't have it both ways."
(MH)
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said that at a meeting attended by the EC, United Airlines and his department, it was made clear that the Commission believed "the support package for the Belfast-Newark service constituted state aid."
Minister Hamilton added: "The Commission was also poised to trigger a formal investigation into a complaint received about the Executive package.
"Faced with the Commission's starting viewpoint and the likelihood that this would be confirmed in the formal investigation of the complaint, United took the decision to end the service.
"I deeply regret that decision, but that does not mean we were wrong to try to save the route. Our critics have to decide if they are complaining about the loss of the route or our attempt to preserve it. They can't have it both ways."
(MH)
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