Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to ensure the safety of ground operations at English airports.

The safety of aviation, the travelling public and aviation workers is a priority for the government.

Ground handling in the UK is transitioning to a more regulated environment to ensure that we uphold the excellent safety record of the UK aviation sector and continue to be compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. The Civil Aviation Authority is working on new Ground Handling Regulation that will be applicable at all UK Certified and Licensed Aerodromes. The development of these new rules acknowledges the important role of ground handling in keeping aviation safe for passengers and employees.