Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on flight paths into and out of RAF Northolt of a third runway at Heathrow.

The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) undertook initial fast time simulation work for the Airports Commission to assess the possible implications arising from the indicative airspace design for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. This work took account of the likely air traffic demands of airports across the South East, including RAF Northolt.

Heathrow Airport’s airspace design proposals for the third runway are following the Civil Aviation Authority’s airspace change process. This is a thorough process requiring extensive consultation with communities and other stakeholders, including the military and airports that may be affected by the proposal. To date Heathrow Airport has held a public consultation on its design principles as well as second consultation on its proposed design envelopes. The airport is expected to launch its statutory consultation on flightpath design options in 2022.