(2) if he will designate all air service to peripheral areas of the United Kingdom from London Heathrow and London Gatwick which do not have a seven hour day return trip capability by surface transport under Public Service Obligation protection; and if he will make a statement.
In December 2005, the Department for Transport published guidance on the circumstances under which it would consider imposing a Public Service Obligation (PSO) to protect domestic air routes to London airports. A copy is available on the Department's website at:
www.dft.gov.uk/aviation/psoguidance
Under the guidance, it is for local bodies such as devolved administrations, regional development agencies or local authorities to make the case for a PSO to the Department. No such applications have been received since the guidance was published.