Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason his Department is allocating funding to the aviation industry to develop the Airspace Modernisation Strategy.

The Airspace modernisation programme is a critical national infrastructure project that aims to deliver quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys. Utilising new technology, it will allow the aviation industry to build back better, safely, provide better access for all airspace users and create opportunities to reduce noise and carbon emissions.

Funding is being provided on an exceptional basis while the sector recovers from the impact of the pandemic to support our programme to modernise the UK’s airspace. The sponsors of the programme will resume responsibility for funding further stages of the programme as the sector continues its recovery.

The funding provided will enable airports to progress with their airspace change proposals to assist in delivering the airspace modernisation programme.