Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what long term steps he is taking to protect regional aviation connectivity.

The Government has recently announced additional measures to support and enhance regional connectivity across the UK, to ensure all corners of the country drive the economy, and fully benefit from prosperity in years to come.

In a sign of the Government’s commitment to levelling up all regions of the UK, a review of regional connectivity will ensure all nations and regions of the UK have the domestic transport connections local communities rely on – including regional airports.

As part of this work and ahead of the March Budget, HM Treasury is currently reviewing Air Passenger Duty to ensure regional connectivity is strengthened while meeting the UK’s climate change commitments to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The government established a technical working group to explore the operational and legal challenges to changing APD in Northern Ireland. Members include representatives from industry, experts, and civil servants from both the UK government and Northern Ireland.