To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions her Department has had or plans to have on the causal processes and mechanisms responsible for (a) past and (b) potential future modal shifts between air transport and other modes of transport for (i) passengers and (ii) freight on (A) domestic and (B) international flights; and what representations have been received on this matter. (181617)

The Department for Transport regularly has discussions with and receives representations from stakeholders on matters relating to air transport. The Department also examines a range of evidence to inform its policymaking, and it is aware of a number of reports of particular relevance to modal shift between air transport and other modes, including:

“To shift or not to shift, that’s the question: the environmental performance of the principal modes of freight and passenger transport in the policy-making context”, a report produced for the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment by CE, Delft, March 2003

“A Comparative Study of the Environmental Effects of Rail and Short-haul Air Travel”, a report produced for the Commission for Integrated Transport by AEA Technology and the Civil Aviation Authority, September 2001

“High Speed Line Study”, an appraisal conducted for the Strategic Rail Authority by WS Atkins, October 2004.