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What about Scotland? UK Government fails to acknowledge unique position of airports in Scotland connecting people

15 June 2022

In its response to the Scottish Affairs Committee’s report, Airports in Scotland, the UK Government failed to mention ‘Scotland’ once, failing to recognise the unique role of airports all across Scotland in connecting people from rural locations.

The UK Government has also said that it will not offer financial support for the latest phase of the airspace modernisation programme – which could deliver quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys – despite airports still recovering from the covid-19 pandemic.

The Committee stressed that air travel is a lifeline for many across Scotland, particularly in remote areas, yet the UK Government failed to respond to the Committee’s concern that too many air travel routes have been lost during covid-19. To encourage greener routes of travelling, in line with the UK Government’s commitment to meeting net zero, the response confirms that the Jet Zero Strategy will be published later this year.

The Committee raised concern with the lack of a joined-up approach between the devolved nations and the timings of covid-19 travel restrictions. However, rather than addressing this specific concern, the UK Government explains the importance of effective working, and did not outline any steps to review communications around the pandemic.

The UK Government also failed to address the Committee’s recommendation that ministers consider how the money raised from Air Passenger Duty could be used for environmental purposes.

Chair's comment

Scottish Affairs Committee Chair, Pete Wishart MP, said:

“I have one glaring question to the UK Government about its response: what about Scotland? In its answers to our Committee’s report, which made blatantly clear that airports are a lifeline for many in terms of connectivity in Scotland, it failed to mention ‘Scotland’ once.

“We were very clear in our report that airports in Scotland have been severely impacted by the pandemic. Yet many Scottish airports kept flights going for urgent medical and food supplies and to get our essential workers to work. This was all against the backdrop of airports muddling through to untangle complex and confusing travel restrictions which varied across the UK.  

“In its response, the Government refuses to support the airports sector with financial support for modernisation, which could benefit travellers and the environment significantly, and also provided no commitment to improving dialogue with the devolved nations over travel restrictions. It’s clear that there is a complete lack of ambition from the UK Government to support any positive change for airports in Scotland.”

The difficulties experienced by airlines and airports over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend came since the consideration of the report. The Committee may choose to come back to this issue in due course. 

Further information

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