09/09/2002

Belfast City Airport up for sale

Bombardier has announced it is to put Belfast City Airport up for sale.

The Canadian-based aircraft manufacturer, which owns the airport, announced its decision on Monday saying it was "no longer seen as a core part of its business strategy".

The company confirmed that a number of interested buyers had approached them and that the airport was likely to be sold by the end of the year.

The statement said: "Bombardier has invested substantially in Belfast City Airport, including a new £28m airport terminal and associated facilities, which opened last year.

"As a result, Belfast City is a world-class regional airport and is an impressive gateway to the city of Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland.

"While there will be a change of ownership, the airport will continue to operate and to develop its position as a fundamental part of Northern Ireland's transport infrastructure."

The company also reaffirmed its commitment to its aerospace and manufacturing operation in Northern Ireland. Despite this reassurance concern is likely to grow regarding Bombardier's NI operation as the airport sale follows closely on the heels of the company's announcement last week that 461 jobs are to be cut at Shorts.

The company blamed the move on the downturn in the aircraft industry post-September 11.

(MB)

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