To ask the Minister for the Economy what recent consultation he has had with airports in Northern Ireland in regard to improving the travel experience for disabled passengers.

Civil Aviation policy and regulation in the UK is largely a reserved matter which rests with the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). However, the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI), an Arm’s Length Body of my Department, works with Belfast International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport to facilitate their Accessibility Forums.

The Accessibility Forums are attended by a range of organisations that represent consumers with a disability or reduced mobility. Meetings of the Forums held in the three airports are used to audit the special assistance provided to passengers and help airports gain a better understanding of the issues faced by passengers requiring special assistance. The audits identify areas where special assistance works well and provides the opportunity to consider and implement recommendations made by Accessibility Forum members. Any recommendations for improvement to services or facilities made by CCNI are followed up with progress reports from the airports at regular meetings of the Forum.