Ms Ritchie said, “I welcome this reduction. It’s vital that this route is allowed to continue and bring much needed direct investment here. The continuation of this flight is paramount to building confidence within businesses to invest here and allowing indigenous business to grow. “Our airports need to be able to compete, particularly as many people have the option of travelling to Dublin airport on this island. “I have continually urged the Chancellor to give Northern Ireland an exemption on air passenger duty in order to enable us to compete more effectively with the South and attract tourists to our airports. “The importance of our direct air route from Belfast to North America in terms of commerce, tourism and the economic development of our region is vital.”]]>