article_snippet: Launching a report commissioned by Edinburgh Airport today The committee's chairwoman Louise Ellman said: 'Smaller airports drive economic growth.
article_snippet: the committee's chairwoman Louise Ellman added: 'The whole country should share the economic benefits of expanded airport capacity.
article_snippet: The Department for Transport needs to take a proactive approach and ensure that the regions are connected.'
article_snippet: Scotland's Transport Minister Derek Mackay told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme found validation in a report commissioned by Edinburgh Airport and said The Department for Transport would do what was best for The Department for Transport airports. '
article_snippet: It does somewhat validate what we've been saying - that reducing air passenger duty would create economic growth in terms of more routes and sustain the lines that we have at the moment,' Scotland's Transport Minister Derek Mackay said. '
article_snippet: A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'Regional airports make a vital contribution to the UK economy by boosting local jobs and providing important domestic and international connectivity.
article_snippet: A Department for Transport spokesman want to help these airports thrive as part of A Department for Transport spokesman long- term economic plan, which is why A Department for Transport spokesman launched the Regional Air Connectivity Fund to support more new air routes. '
article_snippet: A Department for Transport spokesman are now assessing bids from airports and airlines for this funding and will soon announce a short list of routes, with a final announcement over the summer. '
article_snippet: A Department for Transport spokesman welcome the publication of the committee's report on smaller airports and A Department for Transport spokesman will study smaller airports conclusions carefully before responding in due course.'