§ Mr. LockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to consult on BAA plc's application to raise the Passenger Air Transport Movement limit at Stansted Airport. [65756]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI am publishing today a consultation paper on the application by BAA for an increase in the ceiling on passenger air transport movements (the number of passenger aircraft take-offs and landings) at Stansted Airport. BAA are seeking an increase from 120,000 movements a year to 185,000.
Stansted is the only UK airport to have a PATM limit set by the Government, and has had one since 1987. The purpose is to allow expansion of the airport to be phased so that the necessary supporting infrastructure can keep pace with the expansion, and for an appropriate balance to be struck between local and aviation interests.
Copies are being placed in the Libraries of the House and are available from the Department. The closing date for responses to the consultation is 12 March 1999.