Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with (a) Aer Lingus and (b) Belfast City Airport on the potential removal of Aer Lingus services from Belfast City Airport to London Heathrow.

The UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. Airports invest in their infrastructure to attract passengers and airlines, while airlines are well placed to deliver services to their customers.

Northern Ireland is well connected to Great Britain, with several competing services between Belfast and London, the PSO from Derry / Londonderry to London, and routes from Northern Ireland to several cities throughout the UK.