Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of human resources and staff issues affecting the air traffic control provider at Gatwick Airport.

The provision of tower services at UK airports operates in a commercial market, with contractual agreements in place between the provider of air traffic control services and the airport concerned.

Neither the Government nor the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has regulatory oversight of these commercial arrangements which are agreed between private businesses.

My officials and the CAA will, however, continue to engage with Gatwick airport and airlines wherever issues arise, which could impact services.