Electric Airplanes

Questions to the Mayor of London – answered at on 1 August 2019.

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Photo of Joanne McCartney Joanne McCartney Labour

A constituent has asked me to ask you the following questions:

Can the Mayor make it plain that any proposals to increase airport capacity in the London region (Deriving from additional runways, extra terminal or apron capacity, air traffic control regulations or improvements to surface access) should only be permitted if that increased capacity in passenger numbers and air transport movements only be provided by hybrid gas turbine/electric or all-electric aircraft. Can the Mayor, through membership of the C40 and other organisations, urge other cities, worldwide, to take a similar position and urge their respective governments to give them full support

Photo of Sadiq Khan Sadiq Khan Mayor of London

I have been clear that the aviation sector must fully address its environmental impacts, as set out in my aviation policy (T8) in the draft London Plan. I welcome the developments in new technology, which have the potential to significantly reduce those impacts, albeit recognising that the technologies described are not yet ready for commercial deployment.

The responsibility for securing a cleaner, greener future for aviation lies ultimately lies with Government. It's draft Aviation 2050 strategy was deeply disappointing in its failure to set out a comprehensive, credible long-term plan for addressing its environmental impacts and my response to its consultation highlighted this.

I will continue to push for the industry to reduce its environmental impacts and call on the sector itself, as well as a range of other local, national and international actors, to play their part in securing this.