Belfast City Airport 'lacking de-icing machines'

22/02/2010

By Jeremy Price.

Snow has left George Best Belfast City Airport lacking in modern de-icing facilities, it has been claimed.

According to Alan McQuillan, former head of the Assets Recovery Agency, airport workers took to brushing snow off an aircraft with brooms after passengers were told one de-icing machine was broken and another was empty, BBC News states.

The practice caused a delay of an hour to the scheduled BMI service to London yesterday (February 21st).

Airport staff told the news source that manually removing ice is a last measure but is recognised practice within the industry.

"Whilst the manual removal of snow and ice may look antiquated to those not familiar with aircraft operations, it is recognised practice, carried out to ensure the safety of passengers," a spokesperson told the BBC.

In other news, last week saw low-cost carrier Flybe announce a new service from Belfast City Airport to Humberside Airport.

Running four days a week from May 27th, the route will be priced at £25.99 one-way including tax and surcharges.

This article was brought to you by Park and Go providers of Belfast Airport Parking