Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to initiate an independent inquiry into (1) the market for the hire of private aircraft, (2) the level of observance of current regulations within the market, (3) whether there is a need to tighten those regulations, and (4) the adequacy of the (a) powers, and (b) resources, available to the Civil Aviation Authority to regulate the market.

There are no plans to initiate an independent inquiry into these matters. The owners of private aircraft are not permitted to undertake operations for hire and reward. Commercial air transport operations must be operated by the holder of an Operating Licence and Air Operator Certificate (AOC). All UK AOC holders are overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority and are subject to appropriate high-level safety rules and ongoing monitoring.