Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Minister of Infrastructure in the Northern Ireland Executive on improving the (a) frequency and (b) accessibility of (i) domestic and (ii) international flights from all Belfast airports.

I have not had recent discussions about Belfast Airports specifically.  However, the question of whether to operate an air service is a commercial matter for industry.  To maximise airlines’ and airports’ commercial and operational flexibility when making such decisions, my officials negotiate international treaties - “Air Services Agreements” – that ensure a wide range of options for operations from/to all UK airports. Furthermore, aviation must be accessible so that everyone can travel with dignity and ease. The Department launched the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group in November 2024.  It brings together industry and consumer representatives, including from the Consumer Council of Northern Ireland, to identify practical and achievable actions to improve aviation accessibility.  The Group is engaging widely with industry across the UK.