TBI plc, the owner of Belfast International Airport, is in talks with BMI British Midland about reinstating two of the airline's busiest flights from Northern Ireland to Heathrow until the end of October.
The airline is expected to announce that it will recommence its daily early morning and late evening flights between Belfast International and Heathrow from April, a service which it axed last year when it moved its operation to Belfast City Airport.
Because of stringent environmental and operating arrangements, aircraft are only permitted to fly to and from Belfast City Airport between 06.30 a.m. and 21.30 p.m. hours.
British Midland's decision to axe the early morning and late evening flights from Belfast International was fiercely criticised by business leaders and politicians in the North who were among its most frequent fliers.
The North's Regional Development Minister, Mr Peter Robinson said he would welcome the reintroduction of the two flights.
"As Minister responsible for transport and air and seaports, I have been pushing for this for some time. This 7.00 a.m. flight and the 9.50 p.m. flight from Heathrow will be a great boost to business people who need to travel to London and back on the same day," he said.
The reintroduction of the flights would also be a major boost for TBI.
Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Executive yesterday unanimously passed the second stage of the North's Budget Bill.
The Bill, which sets out Northern Ireland's £3.9 billion sterling (€6.4 billion) spending priorities for the next financial year, has received accelerated passage in the Assembly.
