To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what restrictions there are on aircraft wanting to take off and land at Rhoose Airport, Cardiff.
This answer is the replacement for a previous holding answer.
Answered on
21 October 2014
I have taken the hon. Member's question to refer to the work which the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is undertaking in support of the Welsh Government’s initiative to develop an Air Business Park at MOD St Athan.
Under existing arrangements, while the new airfield contractor completes work-up training, the airfield is available for take offs and landings from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm and, with 24 hours notice on Saturday and Sunday between the same hours. Arrangements to operate outside these hours may be made by prior request, subject to manpower availability. To support these arrangements the RAF is providing additional air traffic controllers, at the Welsh Governments request. We understand that the Welsh Government’s intention is to provide airfield opening hours of 9 am to 5 pm, 7 days per week, from December 2014.