Parliamentary Questions:
Q.1. Question (133248) asked by Catherine West (Hornsey & Wood Green) on 2 March 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to stop UK airlines running empty or near-empty flights to retain landing slots at airports”.
A. Robert Courts on 8 March 2022: “The Government acted swiftly to tackle the risk of empty or near empty aircraft continuing to fly during the pandemic solely to retain their slots. The rules requiring airlines to fly 80% of their slots in order to retain them for the subsequent season were fully suspended for the Summer 2020, Winter 2020/21 and Summer 2021 slot scheduling seasons. The Government secured more flexible powers through the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft (ATMUA) Act 2021. This allows the Government to amend the usual landing slot rules, where the evidence supports, preventing airlines operating empty or near-empty flights. For the current Winter 2021/22 season, the Government has used the ATMUA Act 2021 to introduce a package of measures designed to support the recovery of the sector and protect air carriers from operating empty or near-empty flights. For the Summer 2022 season, further alleviation is planned which will support the recovery in passenger demand and give airlines the flexibility not to operate their slots where there are COVID-19 related restrictions. We will consult with airlines, airports and aviation industry bodies shortly on whether further alleviation is needed for the Winter 2022 season and beyond”.
Q.2. Question (133335) asked by Catherine West (Hornsey & Wood Green) on 2 March 2022: “What discussions he has held with airlines on the practice of running empty or near-empty flights to retain landing slots at airports”.
A. Robert Courts on 8 March 2022: “My officials and I have had regular engagement with industry throughout the pandemic and have worked constructively together on many cross-cutting issues. Targeted consultations have taken place with airports, airlines and industry bodies to discuss and gather evidence for what measures are appropriate. Our most recent consultation with industry took place between 15 November and 13 December which assisted us in our decision to continue with alleviation from normal slot usage rules for the Summer 2022 season. Further consultation on whether alleviation is necessary for the Winter 2022 season and what form this might take will take place shortly”.
Q.3. Question (133124) asked by Dr Liam Fox (North Somerset) on 2 March 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his timeframe is for making a cumulative environmental impact assessment for (a) all UK airports, (b) UK regional airports and (c) total aviation emissions”.
A. Robert Courts on 9 March 2022: “Airport planning applications should be judged by the relevant planning authority, taking careful account of all relevant considerations, including environmental impacts and proposed mitigations. In July 2021, we published the Jet Zero Consultation which outlines our vision for the aviation sector to reach net zero by 2050. The consultation focuses on the rapid development of technologies in a way that maintains the benefits of air travel whilst maximising the opportunities that decarbonisation can bring to the UK. We continue to carefully consider the consultation responses in the development of the final Jet Zero Strategy which is to be published later this year and will set out the framework for reducing aviation emissions from the sector”.
Q.4. Question (142059) asked by Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) on 17 March 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what legislative steps he plans to take to (a) provide the Civil Aviation Authority with additional powers and (b) mandate alternative dispute resolution within the aviation sector”.
A. Robert Courts on 22 March 2022: “The Government remains committed to ensuring consumers are protected when travelling by air, which is why we published the Aviation Consumer Policy Reforms Consultation in January 2022. Next steps, including consideration of any potential legislative requirements, will be published following comprehensive analysis of the responses received on the consultation following its closure on the 27 March 2022”.
Q.5. Question (142058) asked by Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) on 17 March 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government plans to include in the Brexit Freedoms Bill the proposals that are taken forward after consultation from the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform proposals”.
A. Robert Courts on 22 March 2022 – see answer to Q.4.
Q.6. Question (145956) asked by Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) on 23 March 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has consulted under Article 438 of the UK and EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on the planned measures in the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform proposals; and if he will make statement”.
A. Robert Courts on 28 March 2022: “The Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation was shared with the relevant EU officials. The consultation is open to responses from anyone with an interest in the proposals, including from the EU”.
Q.7. Question (145956) asked by Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) on 23 March 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to amend Regulation EC261/2004 as retained in UK law, which expires at the end of 2022”.
A. Robert Courts on 28 March 2022: “We are currently consulting on a number of aviation consumer protection areas in the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation. Next steps including consideration of any potential legislative requirements, will be published, following comprehensive analysis of the responses received on the consultation following its closure on the 27 March 2022”.
Q.8. Question (148447) asked by Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) on 28 March 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Luton South of 16 March 2022 on London Luton Airport Operations Limited’s annual passenger cap amendment”.
A. Stuart Andrew on 31 March 2022: “A response to the Hon Member will be issued shortly”.