Question
11. What plans she has to work with regional airports to increase the number of short-haul destinations available.
Answer
Regional airports are vital gateways for passengers and major sources of local employment. The UK aviation sector operates in a commercial market, with airports attracting passengers and airlines responding to demand through route development. The UK Government support airport growth across the country. Through the Aviation Council, which I co-chair, and its regional connectivity working group, we are examining the challenges and opportunities facing regional airports.
Verdict: RED (22/100)
The question asked what the Secretary of State will do to expand short-haul routes from regional airports. The reply points to the Aviation Council's regional connectivity working group, but says only that it is 'examining challenges and opportunities', with no commitment to more destinations. The rest of the reply is general praise for regional airports and leaves route development to the commercial market. The question is therefore largely unanswered in substance, and the asker would probably need to follow up for specific commitments.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What plans the Secretary of State has to work with regional airports to increase the number of short-haul destinations available. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply names a concrete mechanism, the Aviation Council's regional connectivity working group, but says only that it is 'examining challenges and opportunities', not that it plans to increase short-haul destinations. The rest is general praise for regional airports and an attribution of route development to a commercial market, so the question of what the Secretary of State will do to expand short-haul routes is largely left unanswered. |