Written question asked by Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour) on Thursday, 27 January 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 February 2000. It was answered by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 February 2000 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, how many (a) private and (b) public airfields have closed in the UK in the last five years. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) private and (b) public airfields have closed in the UK in the last five years. [108030] Mr. Mullin: The Department is unable to obtain accurate information regarding all public and private aerodromes which have stopped operating in the last five years. The only accurate data we have concern the number of licensed aerodromes which have closed in these years. Statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show that in the last five years, eight aerodromes have had their licence revoked. We are aware that in the last five years some aerodromes have received a CAA operating licence and although the figure can vary each year, the number of licensed aerodromes remains fairly constant, on average between 142 and 146.

Secondary information