Written question asked by Crispin Blunt (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 December 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 December 1998. It was answered by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Thursday, 17 December 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will estimate the level of duty required on landing fees at (a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick to balance the supply and demand for slots.

Answer: Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the level of duty required on landing fees at (a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick to balance the supply and demand for slots. [63459] Ms Glenda Jackson: The UK is subject to a number of international obligations and conventions in respect of airport charges which embody the principle that charges are based on the cost of providing facilities and services, even if there is excess demand to use these. Landing fees account for only a small proportion of airline costs. Given the extent to which demand for slots exceeds supply at Heathrow and (to a lesser degree) Gatwick, it is logical to expect that a several fold increase would be necessary to reach the market clearing level. But the Government have not undertaken precise calculations.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 63459; 322 c624W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Fees and charges Heathrow Airport London airports Gatwick Airport Landing rights