Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the economic and social contribution of airports to (a) the Exchequer and (b) the local communities they serve; and if he will make a statement.

The Aviation Policy Framework that the Government published last year recognises the very important role airports across the UK play in providing domestic and international connections and their vital contribution to the growth of regional economies. Only last month the Airport Operators Association published thirteen case studies illustrating this – with Newcastle taking centre stage.