Translink's reason for closing the line was that it was unable to maintain two routes to Antrim economically.

The Bleach Green–Antrim line, which had been closed since 1978, was reopened in 2001, providing a faster route between Belfast Central (now Lanyon Place), Antrim and Derry~Londonderry.

[5] On Monday 12 September 2016, the Democratic Unionist Party announced that they would propose a motion to re-open the line as part of an Airport Link.

On Sunday 10 November 2019, units 3002+3003 worked a radio test train over the NIR network, including the Lisburn to Antrim line with the stations Lisburn West, Ballinderry, Glenavy, Crumlin and Belfast International Airport being included.

[7] On 1st March 2023, the Alliance Party announced that MLA David Honeyford had secured a commitment from Translink to undertake a feasibility study into reopening the Knockmore Line.