Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on steps to ensure that airspace modernisation around Gatwick airport leads to a reduction in noise levels for residents.

The department has regular engagement with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to monitor the effective delivery of airspace modernisation and drive forward the environmental benefits of the programme.

In its role as independent regulator, the CAA ensures that all airspace change proposals (ACPs) adhere to the CAP1616 process. CAP1616 sets out how sponsors of airspace change, such as Gatwick Airport, must consider the impacts of noise on the local communities, ensuring sufficient consultation takes place with those potentially affected.