Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to assist the Northern Ireland Executive to encourage investment through both regional and international routes to Northern Ireland.

The Rt. Hon. Member will be aware that many areas of transport policy, such as ports, are devolved to the Executive.

The Chancellor announced in this year's Budget that funding to maintain existing air connectivity to London – first announced in the 2013 Spending Round last June – will increase from £10million to £20million per year. It would also be expanded to include provision for start-up aid for new air routes from UK regional airports, including those in Northern Ireland, which handle fewer than five million passengers per year. The Department will publish guidance that will clarify how the Government will expect to interpret the European Union State aid guidelines on start-up aid for new air routes, and explain how the funding process will operate across the UK.

Previously, reflecting the wishes of the Northern Ireland Executive, the Government devolved to Northern Ireland the power to set Air Passenger Duty rates for long haul flights departing Northern Ireland. The zero rate for direct long haul flights departing from Northern Ireland took effect from 1 January 2013. This enables airports in Northern Ireland to compete effectively with airports in the Republic of Ireland.