A new bill announced in the Queen’s Speech today aims to improve facilities at existing airports, after plans to introduce new runways at Heathrow and Stansted were scrapped.
Airport operator BAA yesterday withdrew its applications for a third runway at Heathrow and another runway at Stansted, after the coalition government said it was opposed to airport expansion. Any improvements would be made within the current runway infrastructure.
The airport economic regulation bill will be geared towards reducing unnecessary regulation, increasing competition and delivering a better deal for passengers.
The government also plans to replace the current system for setting caps on what airlines can be charged to use airports. The current caps are set by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The Queen’s Speech also revealed plans for a high speed rail network, although no timetable or details on routes have been revealed.
The annoucement said a bill necesssary for work to commence would be brought in “in due course”.