Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Feedback on Proposed changes to the advertising element of the cost sharing regulations, published on 29 February 2024, what stakeholder consultations on the proposed changes to cost-sharing regulations were undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that (a) all relevant stakeholders and (b) general aviation organisations are consulted before the proposed changes are finalised.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) initially launched an open consultation on the proposed changes to the cost sharing regulation in November 2021. A response document was subsequently published in December 2022, which detailed the CAA’s policy recommendations to the Department for Transport (DfT). Following further engagement with general aviation organisations, the CAA opened a second consultation to gain stakeholder views on updated wording to the advertising element of the proposals in November 2023. A response was issued to this second consultation in February 2024, which detailed changes to the CAA’s recommendations based on the additional feedback received.

The CAA is currently in the process of finalising its advice to DfT on regulatory changes following both consultations and are conducting a de minimis impact assessment, which will include further consultation with businesses that could potentially be impacted by the proposed changes. The CAA will continue to provide updates on the progress of its changes to cost sharing regulation as part of the regular forums it holds with DfT and general aviation organisations.