Speeches

Gareth Thomas – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gareth Thomas on 2015-10-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) military, (b) non-commercial civil and (c) commercial civilian flights flew (i) into or (ii) out of RAF Northolt in (A) 2013-14 and (B) 2014-15; how many such flights are expected to take place in (1) 2015-16 and (2) 2016-17; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne

Take-offs and landings are not recorded separately. The figures for aircraft movements (either a take-off or a landing) are as follows:

Year

Military

Non-Commercial Civil

Commercial Civilian (including commercial aeromed)

London Air Ambulance

Total Non-Military

2013-14

4,068

14

9,227

847

10,088

2014-15

4,023

447

9,366

592

10,405

2015-16 (April to August)

1,584

139

4,242

289

4,670

The maximum number of commercial aircraft movements permitted per year at RAF Northolt is 12,000. However, given the other limitations on commercial traffic at the station (for example hours of operation, daily limits, etc.), totals for the years 2015-16 and 2016-17 are expected to be broadly similar to the previous two years (i.e. 4,000 to 5,000 military, 9,000 to 10,000 commercial civilian and 14,000 to 15,000 total).

London Air Ambulance flights are recorded separately as they do not fit under any other category.