Written question asked by Justine Greening (Conservative) on Monday, 2 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 March 2009. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Thursday, 5 March 2009 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Transport Infrastructure

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 15 January 2009, Official Report, columns 355-60W, on transport infrastructure, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of using the green slot principle on levels of carbon dioxide emissions.

Answer: As set out in the statement of 15 January, the Department for Transport will be consulting on the green slots principle for use in allocating slots created by additional capacity at Heathrow. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the intention is that the use of green slots will mean that airlines will need to allocate their cleanest and least noisy aircraft to secure priority for slots from the additional capacity at Heathrow.Box 3.2 of our latest 'UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts' (published in January 2009) shows the extent to which the fuel efficiency of the newest aircraft—and thereby CO2 emissions—has improved in recent years and is forecast by various independent sources to continue improving in years to come.'UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts' is available at:"http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/atf/co2forecasts09/"Aircraft using 'green slots' are likely to be younger than the average and, like for like, there would therefore also be consequential CO2 benefits.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 488 c1729-30W; 261274
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Transport Infrastructure
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects: Heathrow Airport
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk