Business

Reviving north's air link with Canada the 'ultimate goal'

Zoom had been offering three direct routes from Northern Ireland to Canada but collapsed in 2008
Zoom had been offering three direct routes from Northern Ireland to Canada but collapsed in 2008 Zoom had been offering three direct routes from Northern Ireland to Canada but collapsed in 2008

BOOSTING the north's economy through its link to Canada via a direct air route remains the "ultimate goal", Stormont's enterprise minister has said.

Jonathan Bell was addressing delegates on the benefits of a strong Northern Ireland born diaspora in the North American country.

He is in Canada on a trade mission which has seen him travel to several companies already doing business in the north - including Bombardier where crisis talks were held over fears for the future of its CSeries planes upon which thousands of jobs in Belfast depend.

But speaking at an event in Toronto, he focused on opportunities for Northern Ireland thanks to its strong links to Canada.

It was organised by Northern Irish Connections which is charged with tapping in to networks across the world for the benefit of the north.

"I have been hugely impressed by the opportunities that exist for Northern Ireland companies in Canada, and I know that the NI Connections network will continue to help build our reputation as a good trading partner," said Mr Bell.

He added that the "ultimate goal remains the reinstatement of direct flights, however in the meantime it is encouraging to note that the number of Canadian visitors to Northern Ireland last year increased by 36 per cent to 46,000".

Last year, Tourism Ireland said reviving a direct air link between the north and Canada was a "top priority" as it aims to increase Canadian tourism and revenue to Ireland by 47 per cent.

There has been no direct flights since 2008 following the collapse of Zoom - which had offered services to Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver.

The void was to be filled by Flyglobespan the following year but that carrier went into administration.

NI Connections CEO Andrew Cowan said: “Canada is a traditional stronghold of the Northern Irish diaspora and we are delighted to be welcoming more than 100 guests to our latest NI Connections event in the financial district of downtown Toronto.

"The Northern Irish diaspora are everywhere and we have already made great connections on this mission to Canada - for example the British Consul General Kevin McGurgan, who is originally from Portadown."

Mr Bell is on a five-day visit to Canada where he was due to meet senior management of Montreal-headquartered Bombardier.

It was expected that the talks would focus on sales of its long-delayed and over-budget CSeries airliners.

The wings of the CSeries are made at Bombardier’s £530 million factory in Belfast, underpinning most of the jobs at the plant.

Orders for the plane have been disappointing, and some analysts are predicting that the company could run out of money by the end of next year, which would have catastrophic consequences for the Northern Ireland workforce.