Business leaders have warned that Northern Ireland needs better flight connections to avoid losing future trade and job opportunities.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ann McGregor explained that creating constant services to Heathrow is essential to build up the country’s exports.

Her comments came after analysts Oxford Economics released a report, commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce, to around 50 leading local businesses.

At present Heathrow supports 1,000 tourism and 900 airport jobs in Northern Ireland, with the London hub key to the country’s prospects.

Ms McGregor said: “While there are more ambitious long-term projects for aviation that can be examined, in the near-term Heathrow must continue to be part of the solution if Northern Ireland is not to miss out on trading opportunities.”

Many businesses in Northern Ireland either already trade, or want to, with firms in India, China and Brazil.

Ms McGregor highlighted how encouraging relationships between UK firms and emerging overseas markets is vital to rebuild Britain’s economy.

She said: “While firms are being urged to trade with new partners in emerging markets, they are hindered by the lack of connections to these countries, in turn hurting both inward investment and Britain’s export potential.”