Mr. Neil McGowan:

Operations in Knock Airport recommenced in July, in the earlier part of the month. That included several of the holiday destinations, as well as several of the flights to the UK. The information I received this week in conversation with some of our representatives there is that the holiday flights have been poorly performing but the UK routes are performing reasonably well.

Knock Airport was certainly on an upward trajectory. It had 875,000 passengers last year and was well on the way to that landmark of 1 million passengers. However, before we and other nations went into full lockdown, Flybe was one of the first casualties of the Covid crisis. Flybe was an important customer for Knock Airport. It provided several important routes that were well used out of Knock Airport into the regional airports in the United Kingdom. Flybe will need to be replaced. Ryanair is exclusively flying out of Knock Airport at the minute. Aer Lingus has a scheduled Gatwick route but the most recent information I received is that it is not due to come back until September at least. It is absolutely vital that this Gatwick route comes back because it provides critical connectivity to the west and north west into that key airport in the London area.

The Government will have to step in with regard to Knock Airport, as it will have to across the entire aviation industry. Some welcome funding of €1.2 million was announced this week for a security project for Knock Airport. As regards supporting the workers and ensuring current levels of employment are maintained, it is vital the temporary wage subsidy scheme is extended and amended for Knock Airport, as well as across the aviation industry.

Knock is going to need particular assistance from the Government in supporting its routes. It will have to attract new routes to replace those lost when Flybe went to the wall. It will need support to ensure the current routes are maintained, whether it is Ryanair or Aer Lingus. If Knock Airport is to get back to that position where it was beginning to flourish and grow, it will need additional support from the Government in attracting additional routes not scheduled for the airport previously.