Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to support Scottish civil aviation.

We are committed to expanding and liberalising air access to new and existing global markets, ensuring enhanced connectivity for Scotland and all of the UK.

The government has joint-funded an air route, alongside Dundee City Council and Transport Scotland, from Dundee to London through a public service obligation (PSO) since 2014. This protects an important connection from the Tay Cities region into the capital, allowing business passengers to complete a full day of work without the need for an overnight stay.

Last year, as part of the Tays cities deal, the UK Government invested £8.1 million in the Aviation Academy for Scotland, a Tayside-wide partnership project aimed at providing specialist training and skills in the aviation industry.

In addition, the UK government has also agreed and legislated to devolve powers over Air Passenger Duty (APD) to the Scottish Government. This will enable the devolved administration to design and collect revenue through its own Air Departure Tax.