LONDON access by air from the regions is the subject of a new guidance document published by the government last week with the definition being City, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted airports. Essentially what it says is that the final word on whether a route stays or not rests with the Secretary of State for Transport. The dropping of a route by an airline (or even the number of rotations) would be very difficult decision to implement as the minister also has the backing of European regulations regarding Public Service Obligations (PSOs) to protect existing regional air services to London. In all probability other carriers would be keen to pick up a route. The guidance backs up the Future of Air Transport White Paper recognising the concern of regional stakeholders about the availability of landing and take-off slots at major London airports.
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