7. Will the First Minister make a statement on future funding for Cardiff Airport in light of the impact of COVID-19? OQ56008

I thank the Member for the question, Llywydd. COVID-19 has been a very challenging experience for Cardiff Airport and the whole aviation sector. While we continue to support the airport's funding, options are constrained by state-aid rules and by the continuing uncertainty surrounding any Brexit deal.

I thank the First Minister for that answer. The Welsh Government made a brave decision when it bought Cardiff Airport. That decision appeared to be vindicated, given the performance of the airport in the years leading up to the COVID crisis. Despite some opposition in this Chamber, I believe that a truly international-quality airport is a significant, even vital ingredient if we are to call ourselves a global nation. Given the confidence the industry shows in Cardiff Airport, expressed only last week by the low-cost carrier Wizz announcing it will use the airport on a long-term basis, and the return of Ryanair pre COVID, not to mention the airport's old friend, KLM, would the First Minister commit to ensuring the funds and all helpful interventions will continue for the airport until such time as, and I'm sure this will happen, the Government is able to profitably sell its share in this vital asset?

Llywydd, I thank David Rowlands for his consistent support for the airport and for drawing attention this afternoon to the very welcome announcement last week that there are to be nine new routes out of the airport, provided through Wizz Air—3,500 seats will be available, 40 direct jobs and 250 indirect jobs, supported by that new announcement. I have met officials regularly with the transport Minister, Ken Skates, and with the airport authorities over this crisis to try to make sure we are doing everything we can to continue to support them.

We are constrained, Llywydd, by the interpretation by the UK Government of state-aid rules. In other EU states, including France and Germany, policies permit support for safety and security measures to be what's called 'allowable aid' for state-aid purposes. The UK Government doesn't allow that. That constrains our ability to provide help to the airport, which is just fair help—help that allows them to compete on a level playing field with what is available elsewhere in Europe. It would be a great help to us if the UK Government would review its position on that matter. And it would be a particular help to us in the state-aid notification for COVID-19 damage, which we have launched with the European Commission, and which we hope will be of help in allowing us to provide further support to the airport in this difficult time, so that it is there to resume its successful recovery, as we saw since it came into public ownership in 2013.

And finally, question 8, Dawn Bowden.