Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of amending the minimum monthly hour requirements for air traffic controllers to enable staff who have self-isolated as a result of the covid-19 outbreak to re-enter the workforce without a delay.

The working time arrangements of air traffic controllers reflect the vital role they play in maintaining air safety. These arrangements are long standing and designed to ensure that controllers are physically and mentally fit to carry out their operational duties.

The current working time arrangements already provide some flexibility which could be used if deemed necessary. An air navigation service provider can seek an amendment to the working time arrangements for their unit from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or in exceptional circumstances use its own discretion to modify them on a temporary basis.