• Airports serve as key gateways for business and tourism, and are significant generators of people and traffic movements.
• Despite this, none of the airports in Ireland are currently connected by rail – despite rail passing close by all 3 of NI’s airports.
• The Union Connectivity Review highlighted the lack of rail connectivity to NI’s 3 airports, and recommended that it be addressed.

• The disused Knockmore Line passes the edge of Belfast International Airport (6.3million passengers in 2019), less than 1 mile from its entrance. The line runs from Antrim to Lisburn & was withdrawn from public use in 1995. It is still maintained and in use today by Translink for training purposes.

• If the Knockmore Line was reopened, it is likely former stations along it at Ballinderry, Crumlin & Glenavy would also be reinstated.

• The Belfast-Bangor rail line runs opposite Belfast City Airport (2.5million passengers in 2019), with Sydenham Station a 15min walk away – via an exposed footbridge above a very busy dual carriageway road (i.e. unsuitable for wheelchairs, prams, heavy luggage etc).

• The Derry-Belfast line runs alongside the runway at City of Derry Airport. The airport currently serves London, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as seasonal holiday routes.