£5.7m investment to protect NI-GB flights

Flights between Britain and Northern Ireland will continue to operate through £5.7m of taxpayer funding, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st May 2020, 13:58 GMT
PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/03/2020 Belfast City Airport with with very few passengers on Thursday after All Flybe flights have been cancelled, after the airline collapsed into administration. The firm announced in the early hours of Thursday it had ceased trading with immediate effect and that administrators had been appointed. Flybe provided almost 80% of flights from Belfast City Airport, flying to more than 14 destinations across the UK. Those booked to travel with the airline have been asked not to go to the airport. Around 500 Flybe flights flew in and out of George Best City Airport. The airline employed around 2,400 jobs across the UK, with over 100 local jobs now at risk. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker PressPACEMAKER BELFAST 05/03/2020 Belfast City Airport with with very few passengers on Thursday after All Flybe flights have been cancelled, after the airline collapsed into administration. The firm announced in the early hours of Thursday it had ceased trading with immediate effect and that administrators had been appointed. Flybe provided almost 80% of flights from Belfast City Airport, flying to more than 14 destinations across the UK. Those booked to travel with the airline have been asked not to go to the airport. Around 500 Flybe flights flew in and out of George Best City Airport. The airline employed around 2,400 jobs across the UK, with over 100 local jobs now at risk. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press
PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/03/2020 Belfast City Airport with with very few passengers on Thursday after All Flybe flights have been cancelled, after the airline collapsed into administration. The firm announced in the early hours of Thursday it had ceased trading with immediate effect and that administrators had been appointed. Flybe provided almost 80% of flights from Belfast City Airport, flying to more than 14 destinations across the UK. Those booked to travel with the airline have been asked not to go to the airport. Around 500 Flybe flights flew in and out of George Best City Airport. The airline employed around 2,400 jobs across the UK, with over 100 local jobs now at risk. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

The package is being funded by the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure airports and airlines do not axe “lifeline services” because of the collapse in demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Aer Lingus and Loganair will be subsidised to maintain London flights to and from Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport respectively.

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The Northern Irish airports involved will also be given funding to provide ground services for the flights.

The Belfast-London route “would be at risk without financial assistance given low passenger numbers”, the Department for Transport stated.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Maintaining air links between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is vital.

“We must ensure that critical workers can continue to fly over the Irish Sea and this investment in these lifeline services guarantees that.”

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Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: “Our airports have been badly affected by the dramatic drop in passenger numbers but, like me, they recognise the need to keep our island connected.

“This is a unique payment that will offer much-needed support in the short term during the crisis.”

Last week the UK Government announced a £17 million package to safeguard sea routes between Britain and Northern Ireland.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds said: “Maintaining air connectivity with the GB mainland is critical, especially during this Covid-19 crisis period.

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“I am delighted that the lifeline passenger flights from the City of Derry Airport and Belfast City Airport to London are being supported over the forthcoming months. I would also like to highlight the tremendous work being done by Belfast International Airport.”

Related topics:Northern IrelandGrant ShappsGreat BritainNichola MallonLondonDiane DoddsBelfast City AirportUK GovernmentNorthern Ireland Executive