Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of rail connectivity to each of the UK's 20 busiest airports.

This Government recognises the importance of high quality, efficient and reliable road and rail access to airports as it contributes to the experience of passengers, freight operators and people working at the airport, but also contributes to the local, regional and national economy.

The government’s plans for the strategic rail connections to airports are taken forward through its High Level Output Specification (HLOS). This defines, following assessment, the railway that the government wishes to see by 2019 and includes four strategic priorities, one of which is to improve railway links to major ports and airports.

For clarity in respect of airports across the UK, surface access to airports is a devolved matter and therefore the responsibility of the respective administrations.