§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the impact of air deregulation in Europe on Edinburgh and Glasgow airports; and if he will make a statement on air traffic movements expected at these airports following deregulation.
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§ Mr. McLoughlinThe United Kingdom's liberal agreements with several countries mean that the benefits of liberalisation have already been achieved in several major markets.
In its consultation document on traffic distribution policy for the London area and strategic options for the long term (CAP 548), the Civil Aviation Authority noted this; it did not attempt to forecast demand against a range of liberalisation options but assumed that further liberalisation would give a mild stimulus to traffic. Growth in passenger demand will continue to be largely determined by the rate of economic growth. The Department's forecasts of United Kingdom air traffic demand in the period to 2005 are not disaggregated to airport level.