Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 20 August 2024
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Transport Scotland paper, Aviation Statement and Key Priorities, did not include a reference to the memorandum of understanding that it signed with Heathrow Airport in support of the building of a third runway.
The Aviation Statement focusses on new actions where the Scottish Government can make a meaningful contribution to growing Scotland’s direct international connectivity, securing lifeline services in the Highlands and Islands and contributing to decarbonising aviation. The Memorandum of Understanding with Heathrow airport is designed to ensure that any expansion of Heathrow approved by any UK Government results in significant job creation and investment opportunities in Scotland. As this has not changed, and as Heathrow expansion is not approved or underway, even though the new UK Government may support it, there was no need to include it in the Aviation Statement.