The Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate (ATOC) project is asking to extend its two-year permit to operate low-frequency sonar under the water off Kauai another five years.
Bankrolled by its toy sales, it has moved into cordless telephones, and now has half the market in America for high-frequency models, under its own label and for Lucent and Sony.
Because of the distance that low-frequency sound waves can travel under water, a set of four ships emitting sound at 235 decibels could monitor 80% of the world's oceans for submarines.
Flybe say they are not considering a reduction in the number of routes and destinations they fly to, but the frequency of flights from Belfast each day is under review.