Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what date officials of his Department gave their final advice to Ministers of his Department on Public Service Obligations in relation to the (a) draft-original, (b) draft-revised and (c) final Airports National Policy Statement; and from which directorate that advice was received.

The Secretary of State has set out a clear commitment that Public Service Obligations would be imposed, if required, to boost and retain connectivity from an expanded Heathrow Airport. This will complement the requirements in the Airports National Policy Statement for Heathrow to work with airlines to strengthen existing routes and introduce new connections.

As per the usual process, final advice was provided to the Secretary of State, and was subject to cross Whitehall agreement, ahead of the (a) draft Airport National Policy Statement; (b) revised draft Airports National Policy Statement; and (c) proposed Airports National Policy Statement being laid before Parliament. This advice was provided on the following dates: (a) 15 December 2016; (b) 20 October 2017 and (c) 22 May 2018.

The Airport Expansion and Aviation, Maritime and Analysis Directorate and the Aviation Directorate respectively provide regular advice, as appropriate, to Ministers on domestic connectivity, including on Public Service Obligations. The future use of Public Service Obligations and Government’s ambition on domestic connectivity more generally will be detailed in the Aviation Strategy Green Paper towards the end of the year.