§ Mr. Batisteasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to require airlines granted air services licences to commence services within a specific time of the grant of the licence and thereafter to maintain it; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerA decision on whether or not to operate a route for which it has been granted a licence is a matter for an airline's commercial judgment. However, under arrangements introduced last year, the Civil Aviation Authority intends to review licences regularly and sector rights which are not being used and whose retention cannot be justified will be liable to revocation. I do not think that there is a need for legislation.