G8 Summit Airports

Has a decision been made by the various attending countries as to how or where they are entering the country for the G8 Summit? the visit will be by the heads of state of the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the UK. I assume Belfast will be used a bit with Dublin been the main airport ? Or will these decisions be kept secure untill necessary.

There are several helipads and a local airfield at the lough Erne resort, would helicopter transports be feasible ?

I ask after reading this dialogue from the Dail transport committee on the use of Knock due to been only 70 miles from the G8 summit location.

With 5 thousand journalists alone expected this should prove a massive boost to the whole regions tourism business.

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/committeetakes/TRJ2012120500012

[Deputy John O'Mahony: ] That would be ironic, from the point of view of what has been stated about membership of the trust and board being on a voluntary basis, given current discussion around membership of boards, fees, money wastage and so on. Reference has been made to the report outlining the potential for 500 jobs. As stated, that report was published in 2010. Obviously it is not only this Government that has not engaged or rolled out any potential in this regard. I would welcome a response from the witnesses on that issue.

I was interested in Mr. Gilmore's comment in regard to the width and length of the airstrip in Knock. I note that the G8 summit in June is to be held in Fermanagh, which is approximately 60 or 70 miles from Knock. Obviously, other airports will be involved. I heard by way of conversation last week that 5,000 journalists will be working on that summit and that one television station

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Chairman: Are they coming in to Knock airport?

Deputy John O'Mahony:

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has block booked a hotel in Donegal. Is the Knock airport airstrip big enough for Air Force One?

Chairman: We must conclude questions at this point.

Senator Paschal Mooney: Money will also be needed for work on the N16 to ensure their speedy passage through Sligo to Enniskillen.

Mr. Liam Scollan: The answer to the Deputy's question is, "Yes, it is." As we stated earlier, we do not wish to become embroiled in a political battle on this issue. The focus for us is Knock airport and the Knock region. The Deputy is correct that the report was commissioned under the previous coalition, led by Fianna Fáil. In fairness, it was not activated under that Administration.

Deputy Dara Calleary: When was the final draft agreed and delivered?

Mr. Liam Scollan: In late 2010. I am stating facts. It is up to members to make excuses or clarify issues. I am just saying it was not activated.

Chairman: Is the airport being used for the G8 summit?

Mr. Joe Gilmore: There is full capability at the airport to land any aircraft. We would like to facilitate the summit. However, that is a matter for the two Governments.

Plowman

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Plowman

Plowman wrote: »

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Lots of the support staff have already booked there accommodation in the South months ago. The Clarion hotel in Sligo is already booked out by the Russian delegation. The Slieve Russell is Cavan is booked out by another countries delegation(undeclared yet). Is Belfast international capable of handling all that additional traffic and parking required for aircraft ?

Looks like the PSNI will also be using using drones in the area for the first time, should be interesting to spot.

I can't see too many G8 leaders been keen to be taking a helicopter or car from Belfast to Fermanagh. They would be an easy target for somebody looking for attention.

sydneybound

Plowman wrote: »

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At the end of the day Knock Airport is the closest airport to the Lough Erne Resort. Therefore it would make sense for it to be used, end off. The airport get a few more high profile passengers for the month with a ton of media from the airports UK routes too.

A section of the N16 has being worked on because of the Summit so of course they expect extra traffic. If he’s travelling from Rosses Point in Sligo, Putin will love the Leitrim potholes on the N16, I got a flat tire on the road a few weeks back. The roads desperate and very dangerous.

What I want really want to know is will Barack bring the clubs… it will be three putts galore on that difficult course if he does. Heard he’s an enthusiast hacker at best, Enda could show him a thing or two…

Stinicker

I suppose Derry Airport and the nearby RAF BallyKelly Airfield which that EirJet plane mistakenly thought was Derry Airport might figure. Presumably Barrack O'Bama and his entourage will go to Belfast International as they used it before didn't they?

Still it will be pretty cool to see what new visitors it will bring to the Island.

Peregrine

Stinicker wrote: »

I suppose Derry Airport and the nearby RAF BallyKelly Airfield which that EirJet plane mistakenly thought was Derry Airport might figure. Presumably Barrack O'Bama and his entourage will go to Belfast International as they used it before didn't they?

Still it will be pretty cool to see what new visitors it will bring to the Island.

Isn't RAF BallyKelly closed now?

Out of curiosity, where is the RAF based in in NI? besides Aldergrove

FWVT

I suppose Enniskillen EGAB could take a few smaller jets? No ILS but sure the weather will be glorious by then!! :-D