HC Deb 16 April 1981 vol 3 cc281-2W
Mr. Bright

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if it is the policy of the Government or of the British Airports Authority to encourage air charter traffic to use Stansted airport at the expense of Luton airport.

Mr. Eyre

No.

Mr. Bright

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish the details of contracts for air charter traffic offered by Stansted airport or by the British Airports Authority on its behalf since January 1980.

Mr. Eyre

The British Airports Authority does not enter into contracts with airlines wishing to operate services to and from its airports.

Mr. Bright

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that the charges made to airlines using Stansted airport are economic, in view of that airport's recent financial losses.

Mr. Eyre

The economic return on the British Airports Authority's activities is measured against the business as a whole. The authority's present financial target has been agreed on this basis, and takes account of the Government policy of transferring traffic from Heathrow.