Belfast City Airport has been put up for sale by its Canadian owners Bombardier.

In a statement on Monday, the firm said the airport was "no longer seen as a core part of its business strategy".

The company acquired the airport when it bought Belfast aircraft company Shorts in 1989.

About 800 people are employed at the site.

Last week, the company announced plans to cut another 461 jobs at Shorts because of the downturn in the aircraft industry post-September 11.

Peter Robinson: "Not surprised" by development

Bombardier said a number of parties had expressed an interest in acquiring the airport and believed a sale could be completed by the end of the year.

Bombardier gave no indication of who was interested in buying the regional airport, nor what price they expected to realise.

The company said it remained "fully committed" to its aerospace and manufacturing operation in Northern Ireland.

It was a part of its "core business and an integral part of Bombardier Aerospace".

Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister Peter Robinson said he was not surprised by the announcement.

"I think they've come under considerable pressure as a result of the decline in airline interest since September 11th last year," he said.

"Many of the staff of the City Airport... will be concerned about what the outcome of the sale might be and how it might affect their jobs."

Passengers

The company has invested heavily in the City Airport, on the eastern edge of Belfast, and spent �28m on a new terminal and other facilities which opened last year.

Bombardier said that while there would be a change of ownership "the airport will continue to operate and to develop its position as a fundamental part of Northern Ireland's transport infrastructure".

Belfast City has been open for commercial air traffic since 1983. Currently three airlines - bmi British Midland, flybe and British Airways CitiExpress - serve some 18 destinations in Great Britain daily.

Approximately 1.8 million passengers are expected to use the airport this year.

Around 360 people are directly employed by the airport with a further 450 airline and other staff based there.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's transport watchdog, the General Consumer Council, has said Belfast's two airports should remain in separate ownership.

Chairman Joan Whiteside said: "The good service and competition provided by both Belfast airports should be maintained.

"Northern Ireland air travellers have benefited in recent years. We have an improved selection of destinations; fares are more competitive; and facilities and services have improved greatly at our airports."