Written questions, answers and statements

Heathrow Airport

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Question for Department for Transport

UIN 79353, tabled on 4 November 2022

Question

Fleur Anderson
Labour
Putney
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many dispensations under Section 78 (4) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 were given by airport managers at Heathrow Airport in the last six months; and for what reasons these dispensations were given.

Answer

Jesse Norman
Conservative
Hereford and South Herefordshire
Commons

Answered on

9 November 2022

In the six months to 7 November 2022, there were 409 dispensations under a notice granted by an airport manager at Heathrow Airport. Widespread and prolonged air traffic disruption accounted for 399 of these dispensations; emergencies, with an immediate danger to life or health accounted for 8 dispensations; and delays likely to lead to serious airfield or terminal congestion accounted for 2 dispensations.

Over the same period, one dispensation was given by the Secretary of State under Section 78(5)(f) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982.

Heathrow Airport Limited publishes night flight dispensations data in its quarterly Night Flight Report.

The Government publishes guidance for airport managers on eligibility for dispensations, and any dispensations must be notified to the Department within seven days.

Answered by

Department for Transport
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