Residents oppose late night flights at Belfast City Airport

The airport operates under a number of planning restrictions because if its proximity to the city.

Airport management says there may be demand for up to four services after the current cut-off of 2130 GMT.

However, the proposal has angered some residents and politicians.

The main restriction is that flights cannot take off before 0630 GMT or be scheduled to land after 2130 GMT although delayed flights can land until midnight.

I think it is unfair and unreasonable to put profit before the welfare of the local community Sir Reg Empey Ulster Unionist MLA

The government says those planning controls should be re-examined and that ways could be found to limit the inconvenience to residents while increasing the economic benefit to Northern Ireland as a whole.

Airport management says there is currently only demand for one later flight from Heathrow but that in time, there might be a need for a maximum of two or three others landing up to 2230 or 2300 GMT.

The airport also says it may be willing to bring back its final close down time from midnight to 2330 as part of the review.

Airport management believes its demands are reasonable but opponents of the expansion do not.

Former enterprise minister Reg Empey described the proposal as "totally unacceptable".

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster on Tuesday, the Ulster Unionist assembly member said people living near the airport had rights which could not be ingnored.

"I think they have to realise that the local people have a right to a quality of life," he said.

"They have invested their savings in their properties and put their whole life's work into them I think it is unfair and unreasonable to put profit before the welfare of the local community."