Ryanair leaving Belfast, blasts Ulster govt delays

DUBLIN

Europe-leading budget airline Ryanair says it's quitting operations from Belfast -- and, in a tirade from the boss, blamed the Northern Ireland government for failing to extend the runway.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said Tuesday his airline was not prepared "to beat our head against the bloody wall for more than three years" while waiting for a longer runway at George Best Belfast City Airport.

Owners of the airport on Belfast's east side have been hoping since 2008 to extend the runway so that it will be long enough to permit full-capacity flights between the Northern Ireland capital and continental Europe.

The current shorter runway requires airlines to carry less fuel and fewer passengers, limiting Ryanair to flights to neighboring Britain.