§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether Manchester international airport's status as having a category A gateway role is still accepted by the Government;
(2) whether the recommendations of the Civil Aviation Authority review of airline compeition policy, as regards the operation of international air services from airports other than Heathrow and Gatwick, is consistent with the Government's airport policy announced in 1979; and how the gateway status of Manchester international airport will be secured.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Government have made it clear on many occasions that they regard Manchester international airport as the gateway airport for the north of England and have encouraged the airport's development to fulfil this role: they have no plans to change this policy. Nothing arising out of the CAA review of airline competition policy seems to me to call for changes to his policy.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he is giving to securing an adequate range of intercontinental services from Manchester international airport consistent with the gateway status and identified regional demand.
§ Mr. RidleyI welcome the growth of intercontinental services at Manchester in recent years. Where a British or foreign airline identifies sufficient regional demand to justify additional services it is welcome to apply for the necessary operating permission. All such requests will be considered on their merits.