Tourism leaders in the North believe that airports in the region can take advantage of the passenger cap at Dublin Airport to secure more direct flights.

Dublin Airport has been subject to an annual passenger cap of 32 million since 2007 due to a planning condition.

However, this cap is expected to be exceeded next year, with ongoing legal battles aiming to raise it to 40 million.

Yesterday, Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland, the organisations responsible for marketing the entire island to international visitors, presented evidence to Stormont’s Economy Committee as part of a new 10-year action plan for the tourism sector.

Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, emphasised that her organisation aims to support the development of direct routes into the North.

She noted, "We place a strong emphasis on growing demand for routes into Northern Ireland or the regions of Ireland.

“This has become even more crucial with the Dublin Airport cap in place.

“We want to do everything we can to boost direct access to the regions and Northern Ireland."

She added that over the past year, Tourism Ireland had worked with airlines such as Loganair, Ryanair, and easyJet to develop routes from City of Derry Airport, Belfast City Airport, and Belfast International Airport.

Tourism NI CEO John McGrillen told the committee that while Northern Ireland is well connected to the UK, there is a need to strengthen links with key European cities.

He explained, "Our connections to the UK are strong, but we are not as well connected to some of the major cities in Europe."

In response to a question from Alliance Party MLA David Honeyford about focusing on European routes, McGrillen said that while European connections are a priority, the region would also welcome the opportunity for direct flights from the US, despite past challenges with transatlantic routes.

Northern Ireland has not had a transatlantic route for several years.

Photo: The front entrance of George Best Belfast City Airport.