Northern Ireland to restrict airspace during G8 summit

The airspace between Belfast and Lough Erne in Northern Ireland will be restricted during the Group of Eight meeting, officials said Friday. The restrictions will take effect at Lough Erne at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 16, and run through 11 p.m. June 18, The Belfast Telegraph reported. Restrictions will be in effect for Belfast and the corridor between the capital and Lough Erne during the times when world leaders will be arriving and departing -- Monday morning and early afternoon and Tuesday afternoon and evening. Commercial arrivals and departures at Belfast's two airports are not expected to be affected. But other types of air traffic will be barred. Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said the Police Service of Northern Ireland is notifying flying and model airplane clubs of the restrictions. Officials in Northern Ireland hope the G8 meeting at the Lough Erne Resort will draw tourists and investors to an area known for decades for sectarian strife. But they are also fearful of trouble after a recent increase in religious and political violence. The attendees are to include U.S. President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister David Cameron.