To ask the Minister for the Economy, in relation to Action 14 of the Tourism Vision and Action Plan: 10 Year Plan, for his assessment of how increasing the number of air routes and seats from key markets can contribute to the linked objective of decarbonisation.

As the Department develops an Aviation and Route Development Policy to maximise our air connectivity we are engaging with a range of stakeholders. This includes our airports and the airlines that serve them, to determine how we best balance increased connectivity from our key markets with sustainability concerns.

The sustainability of the North’s future air connectivity is hugely important in light of the obligations of the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022, and air carriers will be expected to reduce or offset carbon emissions, with the interaction of UK and EU wide schemes currently under review.

In addition, we are supportive of the strong focus of our local airports on reducing emissions and protecting biodiversity and natural environments as part of their operational strategies.