§ Dr. Michael ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what are the air traffic arrangements for aircraft having to hold as a result of missed approaches at London airports; and to what extent these arrangements impinge on the airspace capacity of provincial airports around London; [16514]
(2) what estimates he has made of the airspace capacity over the approaches to London; how full they are currently; what arrangements are in place to prevent overcrowding; and if he will make a statement. [16515]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Civil Aviation Authority, which is responsible for the management of UK airspace, seeks to maximise airspace capacity over the approaches to London airports to the greatest extent possible, commensurate with safety. The management of the flow of air traffic and the scheduling of incoming and outgoing flights should ensure that there is no overcrowding. The separation distance between aircraft conforms to internationally agreed standards. Under current procedures, aircraft do not have to hold as a result of missed approaches at London airports as they are integrated into the approach patterns, without impacting 297W materially on aircraft on final approach for landing. Any adjustment to arrival procedures, caused by aircraft carrying out missed approaches at London airports, does not impinge on the airspace capacity of provincial airports around London.