Part 3Nationally significant infrastructure projects

Transport

I123Airports

1

Airport-related development is within section 14(1)(i) only if the development is—

a

the construction of an airport in a case within subsection (2),

b

the alteration of an airport in a case within subsection (4), or

c

an increase in the permitted use of an airport in a case within subsection (7).

2

Construction of an airport is within this subsection only if (when constructed) the airport—

a

will be in England or in English waters, and

b

is expected to be capable of providing services which meet the requirements of subsection (3).

3

Services meet the requirements of this subsection if they are—

a

air passenger transport services for at least 10 million passengers per year, or

b

air cargo transport services for at least 10,000 air transport movements of cargo aircraft per year.

4

Alteration of an airport is within this subsection only if—

a

the airport is in England or in English waters, and

b

the alteration is expected to have the effect specified in subsection (5).

5

The effect is—

a

to increase by at least 10 million per year the number of passengers for whom the airport is capable of providing air passenger transport services, or

b

to increase by at least 10,000 per year the number of air transport movements of cargo aircraft for which the airport is capable of providing air cargo transport services.

6

“Alteration”, in relation to an airport, includes the construction, extension or alteration of—

a

a runway at the airport,

b

a building at the airport, or

c

a radar or radio mast, antenna or other apparatus at the airport.

7

An increase in the permitted use of an airport is within this subsection only if—

a

the airport is in England or in English waters, and

b

the increase is within subsection (8).

8

An increase is within this subsection if—

a

it is an increase of at least 10 million per year in the number of passengers for whom the airport is permitted to provide air passenger transport services, or

b

it is an increase of at least 10,000 per year in the number of air transport movements of cargo aircraft for which the airport is permitted to provide air cargo transport services.

9

In this section—

  • “air cargo transport services” means services for the carriage by air of cargo;

  • “air passenger transport services” means services for the carriage by air of passengers;

  • “air transport movement” means a landing or take-off of an aircraft;

  • “cargo” includes mail;

  • “cargo aircraft” means an aircraft which is—

    1. a

      designed to transport cargo but not passengers, and

    2. b

      engaged in the transport of cargo on commercial terms;

  • “English waters” means waters adjacent to England up to the seaward limits of the territorial sea;

  • “permitted” means permitted by planning permission or development consent.