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Airports National Policy Statement Review

The Department for Transport is conducting a review of the Airports National Policy Statement (NPS), a strategic planning document that guides major airport infrastructure development in the UK. The review is active and ongoing, with engagement updates issued in February 2026, and must address legal robustness following the Finch judgment on environmental assessment of emissions and ensure alignment with ports NPS revision.

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2025

17 events
14 Nov 2025 | Committee report linked

We welcome the revision of the National Policy Statement for Ports and the Government’s intention to review NPSs more regularly in future to ensure they remain fit for purpose. We note stakeholders’ broad approval for the direction of travel set out in the draft revised document and the support it will provide to development in the sector. (Conclusion, Paragraph 10) Port demand forecasts

We welcome the revision of the National Policy Statement for Ports and the Government’s intention to review NPSs more regularly in future to ensure they remain fit for purpose. We note stakeholders’ broad approval for the direction of travel set …

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14 Nov 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government must undertake a thorough assessment of the implications of the Finch judgment for the National Policy Statement for Ports and, where necessary, amends the draft revised NPS to ensure it is legally robust and fit for purpose in reducing the potential for judicial review. Clear guidance must be inserted in the revised NPS on the implications of the ruling, and on how emissions should be assessed for the purposes of Environmental Impact Assessments. (Recommendation, Paragraph 71)

The Government must undertake a thorough assessment of the implications of the Finch judgment for the National Policy Statement for Ports and, where necessary, amends the draft revised NPS to ensure it is legally robust and fit for purpose in …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

While airport expansion is likely to provide some economic growth through growth of the aviation sector, the level of growth to the UK economy provided by airport expansion is unclear and the Government has so far failed to provide substantial supporting evidence. (Conclusion, Paragraph 13)

While airport expansion is likely to provide some economic growth through growth of the aviation sector, the level of growth to the UK economy provided by airport expansion is unclear and the Government has so far failed to provide substantial …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

Before formally agreeing any airport expansion plans, the Government should: (Recommendation, Paragraph 14) 1) Commission more detailed and serious research into the net economic benefits. (Recommendation, Paragraph 15) 2) Clearly set out what level of growth to the UK economy it expects. This should be broken down into both individual and cumulative airport expansions. (Recommendation, Paragraph 16) 3) This should be done in a timely fashion to allow effective scrutiny of its plans and oppor...

Before formally agreeing any airport expansion plans, the Government should: (Recommendation, Paragraph 14) 1) Commission more detailed and serious research into the net economic benefits. (Recommendation, Paragraph 15) 2) Clearly set out what level of growth to the UK economy …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

We heard concerns that if airport expansion is focused around the South East of England it could concentrate wider growth in those regions. This could be detrimental to the aviation and airport sectors, and the local economy, around the rest of the United Kingdom. Whilst there were representations from regional airports in support of South East expansion, we are concerned that the Government to date has not adequately addressed these former concerns. (Conclusion, Paragraph 22)

We heard concerns that if airport expansion is focused around the South East of England it could concentrate wider growth in those regions. This could be detrimental to the aviation and airport sectors, and the local economy, around the rest …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

In response to this report the Government should set out how the planned expansion of London Airports will impact the aviation and airport sector around the rest of the UK and the economic impact and level of growth in the wider regions. We recommend that this analysis should be published before a final decision is made on proposed airport expansion and prior to significant delivery of already agreed expansion to allow appropriate scrutiny. (Recommendation, Paragraph 23) 42 Planning considera...

In response to this report the Government should set out how the planned expansion of London Airports will impact the aviation and airport sector around the rest of the UK and the economic impact and level of growth in the …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government has confirmed that it is updating the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). We welcome the letter from the then Aviation Minister, Mike Kane MP, to the Committee following his appearance which confirmed that the Heathrow decision would not be taken before the new ANPS is published. (Conclusion, Paragraph 33)

The Government has confirmed that it is updating the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). We welcome the letter from the then Aviation Minister, Mike Kane MP, to the Committee following his appearance which confirmed that the Heathrow decision would not …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

We are concerned that airport expansion plans will have been produced prior to the publication of a new ANPS which ought to be in place to provide the airports with strategic guidance. We are also deeply concerned that, given a number of airport expansions will have been approved prior to the update (such as Gatwick), the Government is relying on an outdated policy framework which is inconsistent with its objectives and that airport expansion plans will have been based on that outdated framew...

We are concerned that airport expansion plans will have been produced prior to the publication of a new ANPS which ought to be in place to provide the airports with strategic guidance. We are also deeply concerned that, given a …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government should be taking a more strategic approach that should consider wider growth and planning across the whole of the UK. Finally, we are very disappointed that this approach does not allow proper consideration and scrutiny of airport expansion proposals in the light of the new ANPS. (Conclusion, Paragraph 35)

The Government should be taking a more strategic approach that should consider wider growth and planning across the whole of the UK. Finally, we are very disappointed that this approach does not allow proper consideration and scrutiny of airport expansion …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

Whilst air pollution around Heathrow has reduced in recent years due to cleaner aircraft and road vehicles, airport expansion will make it harder for Governments, both national and local, to deliver on air quality targets. The Airports National Policy Statement fails to sufficiently account for the impact airport expansion will have on air pollution. (Conclusion, Paragraph 49)

Whilst air pollution around Heathrow has reduced in recent years due to cleaner aircraft and road vehicles, airport expansion will make it harder for Governments, both national and local, to deliver on air quality targets. The Airports National Policy Statement …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government, when updating the Airports National Policy Statement, should impose air quality limits for areas surrounding airports covering all key air quality pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Having established those limits, government should require that any airport expansion is accompanied by measures to ensure no consequential net increase in air pollution including mitigating against the impact of road traffic growth surrounding airports. In response to this ...

The Government, when updating the Airports National Policy Statement, should impose air quality limits for areas surrounding airports covering all key air quality pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Having established those limits, government should require that any …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

The Airports National Policy Statement fails to account for noise pollution. Whilst improvements have been seen in reducing the level of noise made by individual flights, more must be done to minimise the impact on those who live under and around flight paths. (Conclusion, Paragraph 58)

The Airports National Policy Statement fails to account for noise pollution. Whilst improvements have been seen in reducing the level of noise made by individual flights, more must be done to minimise the impact on those who live under and …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

We understand the need for the Government to modernise the airspace around the UK, particularly if this will minimise the queuing of planes at airports and reduce the time planes spend circling before they can land. However, this work is likely to expand the area covered by flight paths and thereby increase the number of people directly impacted by noise from flying. (Conclusion, Paragraph 60)

We understand the need for the Government to modernise the airspace around the UK, particularly if this will minimise the queuing of planes at airports and reduce the time planes spend circling before they can land. However, this work is …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government must publish an impact assessment of its airspace modernisation work in regard to how it will change noise impacts as well as publish a map which allows people to see where the noise of aircraft is likely to exceed the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended levels. Where this work introduces noise pollution to new areas, the Government must expand its mitigation work including the requirement of industry funding for measures to decrease the impact on the population who liv...

The Government must publish an impact assessment of its airspace modernisation work in regard to how it will change noise impacts as well as publish a map which allows people to see where the noise of aircraft is likely to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) is not fit for purpose and requires updating to reflect Government policy. The ANPS specifically fails to: • Provide an integrated view on the role of the aviation and airport system across the country as a whole, • Provide information on environmental limits including air pollution limits, noise limits and greenhouse gas emissions, • Set out how cumulative impacts from all current UK airports and future airport expansion should be accounted for i...

The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) is not fit for purpose and requires updating to reflect Government policy. The ANPS specifically fails to: • Provide an integrated view on the role of the aviation and airport system across the country …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government should update the Airports National Policy Statement no later than six months after the publication of this report. The updated Statement should: • set out a coherent plan from Government about the airport and aviation system that takes into account wider innovations such as flight path modernisation and airport capacity around the whole of the UK, • include specific, measurable limits for key aspects of air pollution, noise pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, • set out how...

The Government should update the Airports National Policy Statement no later than six months after the publication of this report. The updated Statement should: • set out a coherent plan from Government about the airport and aviation system that takes …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

The results of this review should be published before or alongside the refreshed ANPS and before any further substantial airport expansion projects are underway. This is crucial to enable proper scrutiny. Failure to do so could put the Government and any airport expansion projects at risk of legal challenge which would increase costs, delays and introduce greater uncertainty. (Recommendation, Paragraph 116) 48

The results of this review should be published before or alongside the refreshed ANPS and before any further substantial airport expansion projects are underway. This is crucial to enable proper scrutiny. Failure to do so could put the Government and …

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2023

4 events
20 Oct 2023 | Committee report linked

The Government should introduce five-year review periods for the NNNPS, with a shorter term where changes in policy decisions or policy drivers warrant it. This does not necessarily mean that wholesale revisions should be made to the NNNPS every five years, but the reviews would provide an opportunity for the Department for Transport to consider the wider policy environment and Government priorities. The Government could also consider the modular approach suggested by the National Infrastruct...

The Government should introduce five-year review periods for the NNNPS, with a shorter term where changes in policy decisions or policy drivers warrant it. This does not necessarily mean that wholesale revisions should be made to the NNNPS every five …

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20 Oct 2023 | Committee report linked

The draft revised NNNPS should be amended to explicitly state the Government’s understanding of the legal precedent for permitting major infrastructure schemes which result in an increase in emissions, where that increase is judged as not likely to harm the achievement of a national target. (Paragraph 35) Confidence and transparency

The draft revised NNNPS should be amended to explicitly state the Government’s understanding of the legal precedent for permitting major infrastructure schemes which result in an increase in emissions, where that increase is judged as not likely to harm the …

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20 Oct 2023 | Committee report linked

In its response to its call for evidence on freight, logistics and the planning system, the Department for Transport should address whether some types associated development which are vital to the road freight supply chain, such as driver rest facilities or service areas, would be more effectively delivered if considered part of major infrastructure Draft revised National Policy Statement for National Networks 27 and approved by Development Consent Order. In our 2022 inquiry on the road freig...

In its response to its call for evidence on freight, logistics and the planning system, the Department for Transport should address whether some types associated development which are vital to the road freight supply chain, such as driver rest facilities …

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20 Mar 2023 | Committee report linked

We welcome the Government’s announcement that it intends to review the 2012 National Policy Statement for Ports. We urge prompt completion of this review to ensure the NPS remains an effective tool in securing the infrastructure development needed by ports in a timely way.

We welcome the Government’s announcement that it intends to review the 2012 National Policy Statement for Ports. We urge prompt completion of this review to ensure the NPS remains an effective tool in securing the infrastructure development needed by ports …

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2022

3 events
26 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

We asked the Department about the support it had provided the aviation industry during the pandemic. DfT told us that government had provided up to £8 billion of support to the aviation industry during the pandemic, but recognised that this was mostly the take-up of general support, from the furlough scheme, which was available to all industries. We also asked about the Department’s expectations for future demand for aviation, and of recent reports of long queues at airports. DfT told us that...

We asked the Department about the support it had provided the aviation industry during the pandemic. DfT told us that government had provided up to £8 billion of support to the aviation industry during the pandemic, but recognised that this …

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22 Mar 2022 | Committee report linked

We are convinced that a UK Government-led recovery plan for airports is urgently needed. The paused strategic framework that is being developed by the Department for Transport for the aviation industry to help them recover from the impact of the covid pandemic needs to be published as soon as possible. As Scottish airports have been more adversely affected by the pandemic than other airports in the UK, the strategic framework should specifically consider policy interventions to help Scottish ...

We are convinced that a UK Government-led recovery plan for airports is urgently needed. The paused strategic framework that is being developed by the Department for Transport for the aviation industry to help them recover from the impact of the …

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22 Mar 2022 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the UK Government’s strategic framework for aviation recovery should include: • How airports in Scotland can increase their passenger numbers and grow their businesses whilst meeting net zero targets and using greener methods of operating; • How airports in Scotland can continue to deliver current connectivity and recover any routes that have been lost throughout the pandemic; and • What the context is in which he UK Government would step in with funding for stage 3 of the A...

We recommend that the UK Government’s strategic framework for aviation recovery should include: • How airports in Scotland can increase their passenger numbers and grow their businesses whilst meeting net zero targets and using greener methods of operating; • How …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK