To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what support will be available to Belfast International Airport to bridge the gap to a COVID-19 recovery.

My Department’s statutory remit in relation to airports is quite limited. These are powers to control noise, control land in the interests of the safe and efficient use of airports, make byelaws, provide for airport constabularies and airport consultative committees and to give grants to assist capital expenditure.

However, due to the exceptional circumstances that emerged from the COVID 19 pandemic back in Spring, my Department was, for expediency and logistical reasons, asked to facilitate the distribution of emergency funding on behalf of the NI Executive to George Best Belfast City Airport and the City of Derry Airport (CoDA).

In May 2020, the Minister of Finance announced 100% rates relief for all three of our main airports until 31 March 2021. This financial support is worth £2.2m, and £1.7m to the Belfast International Airport in particular.

Furthermore, whilst civil aviation is a reserved matter for the UK Government, the Department for the Economy has responsibility for the development of Northern Ireland’s air connectivity and provides support aimed at maintaining connectivity during the COVID 19 pandemic and as part of recovery. The Department for the Economy has secured £2m for marketing support which is being delivered by Tourism Ireland and held recent discussions with Belfast International Airport to develop Trans-Atlantic and Middle East air routes.

The Executive’s most recent decision to set aside £10million as part of the October monitoring was to provide further support, as and when required, for airports during the Covid19 crisis and it is a matter for the Executive to decide how this funding is allocated.

The Department for Finance is leading on work on safety and security measures in all three airports and it is proposed that this will be drawn down from this fund.

I have accepted to meet with Belfast International Airport, alongside the Finance and Economy Ministers, given shared statutory responsibilities for airports and connectivity to listen to any case for support which may be brought to the Executive for approval.