Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to better harmonise civil, general and military aviation activity within the UK, especially in congested areas such as the south-east of England.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has a duty to classify UK airspace and to keep such classification under review, under the Directions given by Government. In exercising this air navigation function the CAA must also reasonably apply a number of provisions, including to secure the most efficient use of airspace and to satisfy the requirements of operators and owners of all classes of aircraft.

This year we have begun the process of developing a new Government strategy for UK aviation as a whole. We will be consulting widely throughout 2017, starting in the next few weeks. This will include seeking views from those involved in civil, general and military aviation. This will be an ambitious programme of work, leading to publication of an Aviation Strategy White Paper at the end of 2018.