Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, what assessment they have made of the effects on the (1) regional, and (2) national, economy of the decision of Loganair to cease serving Teesside International Airport.

Whilst the decision by Loganair to withdraw from Teesside Airport is disappointing, it is ultimately a commercial decision by the airline.

The Government recognises the importance of regional airports to our aviation sector and to the communities they serve. We continue to support regional airports through various policy measures such as our introduction next year of a 50% cut in Air Passenger Duty on domestic flights.