§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister for Trade what information he has about the amount of additional costs to air transport operators of the introduction of airways between Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
§ Mr. SproatI am informed that the Civil Aviation Authority's directorate of operational research and analysis has estimated that aircraft using these airways will have to fly an additional 8 nautical miles per trip. At the present level of traffic the additional cost to air transport operators of the introduction of airways between Edinburgh—Glasgow and Aberdeen will be approximately £63,000 per annum for extra fuel consumed. These alterations in the route are in order to accommodate the interests of gliders at Portmoak following representations from the gliding community that the original proposals for airways would have had deeply damaging effects on gliding activity there.
Notwithstanding the additional cost, 14 airlines have indicated their support for the introduction of these airways in the interests of maintaining a high standard of safety. I welcome the responsible attitude of the air transport operators concerned in agreeing to this compromise.