Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Glasgow Airport: Airspace Modernisation

Thursday 4 November 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Glasgow airport is engaged in the airspace modernisation programme and is working with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Airspace Change Organising Group to develop its proposals.
  • Airspace modernisation will enable more direct, quicker, quieter, and cleaner journeys and will harness new technologies such as performance-based navigation.
  • Rolls-Royce is developing an aviation jet engine that will run on 100% sustainable fuel.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Context

Glasgow airport faces challenges in updating its airspace management to meet modern needs and improve efficiency.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the potential merits of the airspace modernisation proposals for Glasgow airport?

Answer from Robert Courts

Glasgow airport is engaged in the airspace modernisation programme, and is working with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Airspace Change Organising Group to develop its proposals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a detailed assessment of the merits or benefits of the proposed changes.

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Q2 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Climate Environment
Context

The COP26 conference highlights the environmental concerns associated with air travel, including noise and emissions.

Question

With COP26 kicking off this week, the environmental impact of flying is at the forefront of many attenders' minds. What assessment has the Minister made of the environmental benefits of potential airspace changes?

Answer from Robert Courts

UK airspace is among the most complex in the world, but it has not been modified significantly since the 1950s. Airspace modernisation will enable us to have more direct, quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys, and will harness new technologies such as performance-based navigation. As set out in the “Jet Zero Consultation”, the Department's analysis shows that “Moving to best-in-class aircraft, operations and airspace modernisation could deliver 25-36% of CO² savings by 2050”, bringing benefits not only for the hon. Lady's constituents but for the whole United Kingdom.

Answered
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Q3 Michael Fabricant Con
Climate Business & Trade
Context

Rolls-Royce is developing a jet engine that runs on sustainable fuel, highlighting advancements in reducing the environmental impact of air travel.

Question

Is my hon. Friend aware that Rolls-Royce is now developing an aviation jet engine that will run on 100% sustainable fuel? When that happens, will it not show that flying can be not only fun but clean?

Answer from Robert Courts

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I am aware of that engine that is being developed; in fact, I believe that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State went to see it only this week. There are a number of exciting technologies with new aerospace advancements including sustainable aviation fuel that will deliver precisely the guilt-free flying that my hon. Friend refers to.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide concrete details about specific plans or commitments related to sustainable aviation fuel beyond acknowledging its development.

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Q4 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
Transport Climate
Context

Current airspace management is outdated, and improvements could reduce noise pollution and carbon emissions.

Question

We have an analogue airspace system in the digital age; the Minister is right in what he says. With the better ascents and descents of planes and the elimination of holding patterns, we will not only improve noise abatement but cut carbon emissions by up to 26%, as he rightly said. This is the lowest of the low-hanging fruit when it comes to the climate crisis, so can the Minister tell us what he is personally doing and how he is talking to the industry to unlock the funding we need to enable this programme to continue?

Answer from Robert Courts

The hon. Gentleman is quite right. There are a number of aspects to decarbonising aviation. There are the existing efficiencies as well as sustainable aviation fuel and the £180 million that we have recently announced on that. Then there is the longer-term but still rapidly advancing technology that was referred to earlier. He is also quite right to talk about airspace modernisation, and the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021, which was put through in the last Session, was a major part of that. It gives the Government extra powers. After the pause that took place during covid, we have given £5.5 million for the future airspace strategy programme, which is taking place as we speak.

Answered
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