§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to(a) reduce noise levels and (b) improve safety at small airports outside London; [109797]
(2) if he will make a statement on the safety and age of aircraft using small airports. [109798]
§ Mr. MullinOur policy on noise is the same for small and large airports—reduction of noise at source, and airport specific measures where necessary. The Government continue to work for international agreement on higher certification standards and on phasing out noisier aircraft. Apart from the designated London airports, where the Secretary of State has direct responsibility, measures to reduce operational noise are the responsibility of the airport management, working in consultation with local interests. We shall shortly consult on the details of proposed legislation to strengthen aerodromes' powers to establish and enforce noise amelioration schemes, and to enable the Secretary of State to designate an aerodrome requiring it to agree such a scheme with an appropriate local authority.
All United Kingdom airports are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and must be operated safely, regardless of their size or location. Similarly there is no 469W necessary correlation between the age of aircraft and their safety: what is important is that the aircraft are maintained properly. Commercial aircraft must be maintained to an approved maintenance programme by qualified engineers working for an approved maintenance organisation. The age of the aircraft will be taken into account in determining the maintenance programme. Similar arrangements apply to aircraft with a private category certificate of airworthiness.