MINISTERS have denied a flagship policy to help regional airports is a flop – with Newcastle set to miss out altogether.

In March, the Government offered to pay half the charges faced by new carriers for three years, in a bid to encourage them to choose smaller regional runways.

The help would cover fuel costs, landing charges and baggage charges and any fees to help the development of an airport, but not air passenger duty, the Treasury said.

But – four months later – airports have received no guidance on how to apply to the ‘regional connectivity fund’, Labour alleged.

And ministers have failed to set out the “exceptional circumstances” under which airports with more than three million passengers – including Newcastle – can be included.

Gordon Marsden, Labour’s transport spokesman, said: “Regional airports fear that the Government are not doing enough for connectivity, not least to London.

“Ministers still have no green light from Europe to say that airports with three million to five million passengers, such as Newcastle, can apply.

“Only one airport – Dundee - is confirmed to get any money so far. How can we be sure that airports such as Newcastle, Leeds Bradford and Norwich will get more support from the Government by 2015?”

In reply, transport minister Robert Goodwill admitted the details of the aid scheme had not yet been “hammered out” – because they required approval under EU state aid rules.

But, the Scarborough and Whitby MP insisted: “We are optimistic that we can have a positive outcome with the European Commission.

“We will have further information for airports wishing to apply during the autumn, when the details have been hammered out, so that we can comply with the state aid rules.”

Mr Goodwill said the deal would “ensure the money goes to important regional airports such as Newcastle, which I know has aspirations to have flights to the United States”.

However, Newcastle International Airport declined to comment on the delays and the claims of confusion about a policy announced in March’s Budget.

Graeme Mason, its planning director, said: “Our understanding is the department for transport is publishing guidance for consultation later this year, which we await with interest.

“We won’t be able to comment further until we have read the guidance.”

The criticism comes as the all-party transport select committee launches an inquiry into the steps the Government could take to help airports with fewer than five million passengers.

It will examine the regional connectivity fund, as well as issues including air passenger duty, the use of ‘public service obligations’ (PSOs) to protect routes and cargo services.

Submissions should be sent to the committee, by October 3. Further details can be found at: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/smaller-airports/