To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she is working on a bid to the Department of Finance to provide financial support to Northern Ireland airports.

To clarify, I am not responsible for the funding of airports, that work is led by the Department of Finance and the Department for Infrastructure. My responsibility is with maintaining and enhancing Northern Ireland’s air connectivity, both domestically and internationally. In doing so, I fully acknowledge that civil aviation is a reserved matter for the UK Department for Transport (DfT). Hence, I have made no bids to the Department of Finance, nor am I working on any, to provide funding to Northern Ireland airports. In May the Executive put in place measures, in respect of rate payments, to assist Northern Ireland businesses impacted by COVID-19. As a result, all three Northern Ireland airports are receiving 100% rates relief until 31 March 2021, which equates to £2.2m of support, in total.

I understand that the Department of Finance is continuing to engage with the airports and to monitor the sector as it recovers, including consideration of options for further support.

I fully recognise that air connectivity is essential to rebuilding Northern Ireland’s economy and my Department is always willing to consider any requests for support from airports/airlines that deliver value for money and are compliant with EU State Aid regulations.