It comes following the airline’s announcement early this morning (28 January), made via their website, that they had ceased trading and warning any passengers that were due to fly with them not to go to the airport as all flights had been cancelled.

Belfast City Airport has the highest number of Flybe staff in the UK, and the company offered a number of different routes connecting Northern Ireland with the rest of the UK and mainland Europe.

“The news of Flybe falling into administration comes as a great disappointment and my thoughts are with all Flybe employees and others affected by this announcement,” said Andrew.

“Having met with staff in the past, I can only imagine how devastating this must be after the company relaunched only last April.

“We’re in a unique position in Northern Ireland where air connectivity is so vital for us, more so than in other areas of the UK due to lack of rail links to mainland Britain, and so this kind of loss will inevitably hit hard here.

“With that in mind, it’s essential going forward that the government works to ensure we retain that air connectivity for the routes that have been affected, whilst also prioritising the needs of the employees and passengers at this difficult time.”