§ 47. Sir Peter Emeryasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he will consider applications from airlines, not at the moment allowed to use London, Heathrow, to be allowed to have landing rights at London, Heathrow; what was the date when an airline was last granted this right; and if he will consider discussing this matter when he next speaks with the chairman of the British Airports Authority.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerWhile foreign airlines require an operating permit from my right hon. Friend to operate air transport services at British airports, services by British airlines are subject to licensing by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Rights to use Heathrow airport are also subject to air traffic distribution rules. Rules restricting access to Heathrow were first instituted in 1977 in order to prevent demand from swamping the capacity available at the airport. In June 1985 paragraphs 11.3 and 11.12 of the White Paper "Airports Policy" (Cmnd. 9542) described the then rules and amended them slightly. The White Paper also announced the Government's intention to invite the Civil Aviation Authority to review the rules for traffic distribution between the London airports. The authority's review was completed in May 1986. It endorsed the existing rules and recommended further restrictions. On 21 July I announced the Government's intention to make formal traffic distribution rules under S31 of the Airports Act 1986. These rules were made on 24 September. Copies were placed in the Library. They include restrictions on new airlines operating international scheduled services, and on charter flights, at Heathrow and further regulate access for new domestic scheduled operations and other categories of service. My right hon. Friend has no present plans to change the recently made rules.
I and my right hon. Friend meet the chairman of BAA plc. from time to time to discuss a variety of matters of mutual interest, including airline operations at Heathrow.