Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to update passenger demand forecast models to reflect technological advances in the aviation sector; and if he will make statement.

The Department published its last set of passenger demand forecasts in October 2017 – this is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-aviation-forecasts-2017. This includes a significant update to the assumptions (including those relating to technology) underpinning the Fleet Mix Model, which was independently peer reviewed by Ricardo Energy & Environment. The peer review - published at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dft-aviation-fleet-mix-model-a-review – found the model to be fit for purpose. Fuel burn rates by aircraft type were also updated in line with Ricardo Energy & Environment’s advice.

The Department will continue to update its models to take account of technological and other developments in the aviation sector.