To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) whether she has engaged with the UK Government regarding financial support for trainee commercial airline pilots; and (ii) whether she will consider making representations to the Secretary of State for Transport, regarding financial assistance to support individuals from Northern Ireland to enter commercial airline pilot training.

I recognise that the high cost of pilot training is a barrier across all jurisdictions in Britain, not one confined to the North. Presently, my officials meet with DfT on a quarterly basis and have brought the matter to the attention of their counterparts.

I am committed to ensuring that individuals from the North are not disadvantaged in accessing careers in commercial aviation. I will continue to raise this issue with DfT and will make direct representations where necessary to the British Secretary of State for Transport.