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<p>Maintaining and enhancing domestic connectivity to Northern Ireland will be one
of the key benefits of the expansion at Heathrow. It will ensure increased frequency
and greater competition for existing domestic routes, and allow new routes to be served.</p><p>
</p><p>The Airports National Policy Statement sets out a clear expectation that expansion
should deliver at least six new routes by 2030. This could include Belfast International.
The Secretary of State for Transport has also set out a clear ambition for about 15
per cent of slots to be made available from a new runway to be used for domestic routes.</p><p>
</p><p>If new capacity, coupled with the commercial incentives offered by Heathrow,
does not deliver Government’s expectations, and links are insufficient, then the Secretary
of State for Transport has committed to impose Public Service Obligations to support
additional domestic connections.</p><p> </p><p>Further detail on the Government’s
approach to Public Service Obligations will be set out in the Aviation Strategy Green
Paper towards the end of this year.</p>
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