HC Deb 31 March 1993 vol 222 cc297-8W
Mr. Stern

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, in relation to any application by a new airline for a licence to fly from a United Kingdom airport or airstrip, (1) he will request the Civil Aviation Authority to consider whether any of the promoters of a new airline have been criticised by any public body on a previous occasion for their stewardship of private or public assets or concerns and to publish their findings in full;

(2) he will request the Civil Aviation Authority to consider the appropriateness of the safety precautions available and in use at the particular airport or airstrip, taking specifically into account the population density around the proposed touchdown and takeoff points and to publish their findings and the reasons therefor;

(3) he will request the Civil Aviation Authority to consider the extent of studies made by the applicant into the environmental effects of the particular services it proposes to operate and to publish their findings and the reasons therefor;

(4) he will request the Civil Aviation Authority to consider the financial backgrounds and reputations of both the operator and its promoters and to publish both their findings and the reasons therefor;

(5) he will request the Civil Aviation Authority to consider the extent to which the proposed licensed service is duplicated from the same or nearby airport or airstrip and to publish their findings and the reasons therefor;

(6) he will request the Civil Aviation Authority to consider the extent of the studies made by the applicant into the suitability of the particular airport or airstrip for taking off or landing in full or partial darkness, and to publish their findings and the reasons therefor;

(7) he will request the Civil Aviation Authority to consider the maximum load factor for any of the range of aircraft that might be usable under the proposed licence and to publish their findings and the reasons therefor;

(8) he will direct the Civil Aviation Authority to publish full details as supplied to it of any application by a new airline, or by an existing airline to fly from or to a new location in the United Kingdom for a licence for a scheduled service, with effect from 24 March;

(9) if, in relation to any application by a new airline for a licence to fly from a United Kingdom airport or airstrip, he will request the Civil Aviation Authority to consider the appropriateness of the noise levels of the aircraft proposed to be used for the service to be licensed to the airport or airstrip concerned and to publish their findings and the reasons therefor;

(10) if, in relation to any application by a new airline for a licence to fly from a United Kingdom airport or airstrip, he will request the Civil Aviation Authority to consider whether any of the promoters of a new airline have a criminal record and to publish their findings in full.

Mr. Norris

No. The process of licensing airlines in the United Kingdom is covered by EC Regulation 2407/92 on the licensing of air carriers. This has been implemented in the United Kingdom by the Licensing of Air Carriers Regulations 1992. Any carrier satisfying the requirements laid down is entitled to an operating licence and becomes a Community air carrier. Duly licensed Community air carriers are entitled to virtually unrestricted access to all intra-EC air routes where the airports concerned are open for civil aviation, irrespective of whether a similar service is already available. Where environmental problems exist member states may impose transparent and non-discriminatory restrictions on the operation of particular routes.

There are no routes in the United Kingdom for which the use of this provision has been requested. Such matters as aircraft load limitations, aerodrome safety and aerodrome opening hours are considered by the CAA, but not as part of the licensing process. All aircraft landing or taking off in the United Kingdom have to meet the requirements of the Air Navigation (Noise Certification) Order 1990.