§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has completed his review of policy on fifth freedom passenger charter flights. [33701]
§ Sir George YoungOn 10 January this year, my noble friend the Minister for Aviation and Shipping announced a package of measures relating to the safety of foreign-registered aircraft, one of which was a review of policy on charter flights from the UK by airlines from countries other than those they are serving, known as fifth freedom charters. We have now completed the review of passenger charter flights, following consultation with UK airlines, tour operators and brokers and other interested bodies. We intend to make a number of changes aimed at ensuring that fifth freedom charter services continue to be the exception to the normal rule that UK holidaymakers travelling by charter airline should be carried either on UK carriers or on carriers from the country of destination. The changed procedures will give UK airlines more opportunity to offer services, while continuing to allow some flexibility, in the interests of passengers, where they are not able to do so.
The changes are as follows:-
- (a) he number of fifth freedom flights which any one foreign carrier can operate from the UK in any one season—apart from flights which are permitted under EC legislation or other international agreements will be limited to 10 return flights;
- (b) applications for permission to operate fifth freedom flights must normally be made at least six weeks in advance of the flight. Late applications will in certain circumstances he permitted provided they are made at least five working days in advance of the flight;
- (c)applications will be published in the Civil Aviation Authority's official record in order that any UK airline may object if it has a suitable aircraft available. Late applications will be circulated to airlines by telex for objections. All decisions on applications will be published subsequently.
Fifth freedom flights will be permitted only where no UK airline is able to offer a suitable aircraft, and provided that the authorities of the foreign airline are prepared to offer similar opportunities to UK carriers and that the necessary certificates are presented to my Department.
486WThe changes to the timetable for applications and the introduction of the published procedure will come into effect from the beginning of the winter season. The limit to the numbers of flights will be applied from 1 August this year. Applications received before this date will not count towards the limit for the current season.