Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport on taking steps to support employees at the airport who are affected by Flybe being placed in administration.

In the early hours of the morning of Saturday 28 January, Flybe Limited ceased trading. This was a commercial decision by the board of the company. The Government recognises that this will be a difficult time for Flybe’s passengers and staff. The immediate priority has been to support people travelling home and employees who have lost their jobs.

Aviation is a devolved matter. However, officials at the Department for Transport have contacted Belfast City Airport to discuss the impacts of the announcement and have also been in contact with the Northern Ireland Department for Communities (DfC), as they are responsible for jobseeker support and related services in Northern Ireland.