The UK government has confirmed that it will grant £56 million to airlines and regional airports over the next three years to help launch new routes.
John Spooner, chairman of the Regional & Business Airports Group (RABA), said: “It's very encouraging to see that the … committee has recognised the vital importance of regional airports to bringing economic prosperity and social benefit to the regions of the UK.”
Speaking before a government committee, Spooner also stated that it was essential that the next runway to be developed in the London area served the UK’s regions and that slots must be reserved at the right times and at an affordable price for use by flights serving those regions.
The £56 million will come from the Regional Air Connectivity Fund, which will provide three years of start-up aid, with £17.5 million being made available to bids in 2015/16 and around £20 million a year for each of the remaining years.