Key Facts

• Clause 1 defines 'airspace change proposal'.
• Modernizing UK airspace is urgent due to its outdated system.
• Concerns raised about lack of definition in enforcement power.
• Walker clarifies procedural rules for discussing Bill clauses.
• No further ancillary actions are required from ministers when called upon during clause discussion.
• The goal is to simplify the process for more efficient committee proceedings.
• The government introduced business rates relief recently.
• The Secretary of State has the power to direct an airport to bring forward an airspace change proposal.
• Alternative sponsors or funding support may be suggested if airports lack sufficient funds for proposals.
• Section 34(1)(b) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 could provide Government funding under certain conditions.
• Clause 7 deals with appeals and enforcement mechanisms.
• Schedule 1 will be the First schedule to the Bill.
• Schedule 2 will be the Second schedule to the Bill.
• Clause 9 introduces new power for the CAA to modify licences of NATS En Route plc.
• Appeal rights are given to licence holders and materially affected parties like specified airports.
• Schedule 3 outlines a new process by which the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) may consider appeals against decisions by the CAA.
• London approach service monopoly providers include Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Luton, and Stansted.
• The current enforcement regime is considered bureaucratic, inflexible, and lacking in proportionality.
• Schedule 5 provides the CAA with tools to act effectively and proportionately against contraventions by licence holders.
• Schedule 6 grants further investigative powers to the CAA for enforcing breaches of licence conditions or statutory duties.
• Council Regulation (EEC) No. 95/93 applies the 80:20 slot usage rule at eight UK airports.
• The European Commission waived the 80:20 rule due to COVID-19 and extended it to winter 2020-21.
• The power to extend alleviation was transferred to the Secretary of State until April 2, 2021 in UK law.
• Clause 6 provides flexibility on slot usage until August 24, 2024 for scheduling periods up to winter 2024-25.
• The discussion involves the extension of waiver on airport slots until August 2024.
• Charles Walker briefly mentions early-stage senility and apologizes for confusion over the clause number.
• Clause 13 introduces schedule 8 which grants police, civil nuclear constabulary (CNC), and prison officers powers to ground unmanned aircraft.
• Schedule 8 amends sections 93 and 94 of the Police Act 1997 to include counter-drone technology authorisation.
• The amendment addresses an omission for offences that can be tried under indictment in Scotland.
• Clause 14 introduces schedule 9 to provide police powers.
• Schedule 9 enables police to enforce requirements on remote pilots' competency and registration.
• Police can inspect unmanned aircraft and require documentation or information from operators.
• Clause 15 introduces schedule 10 enabling police to issue fixed penalty notices for offences not intended or causing significant harm.
• Schedule 10 allows the Secretary of State to prescribe new offences and penalties via regulations.
• A person has 21 days to pay a fixed penalty notice before facing prosecution.
• Schedule 11 contains powers to amend the Act in light of changes in subordinate legislation, including future EU-derived regulations.
• Clause 19 sets out delegated powers in the Bill.
• Some powers are subject to affirmative or negative resolution procedures based on their impact.
• Schedule 8 requires legislative consent from Scotland and Northern Ireland but not Wales due to reserved functions.
• Clauses will come into force either immediately after passage for making secondary legislation or two months later for other provisions.
• The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 is referenced in Clause 22.
• Charles Walker thanks everyone involved in the efficient progress of the Committee.
• Mike Kane makes a point of order, thanking Members for thorough scrutiny of the Bill.