Contents:
Upcoming Meetings
Forthcoming Industry Events of Interest
Editorial
Parliamentary News
Parliamentary Questions
Government News
London and South East News
Regional News
National and Other Industry News
European News
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next SASIG meeting will be held on Friday 4 March, 2016 at 11am.
Venue: Westminster Suite, Local Government House, Smith Square SW1P 3HZ, location map
FORTHCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS OF INTEREST
16 February 2016, 18.00-19.00 – General Aviation Lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society. Speakers tbc.
24 February 2016, The National Infrastructure Commissions Conference, Pinsent Masons, London, EC2A 4ES. An early opportunity to learn about the role of the National Infrastructure Commission and what it will mean for major infrastructure projects.
12-13 April 2016, UK Transport Infrastructure Summit, hosted by the Transport Times at Canary Wharf. Lord Adonis will speak at the event, on behalf of the newly created independent National Infrastructure Commission (which has the task of offering unbiased analysis of the UK’s long term infrastructure needs). Robert Goodwill will also address the conference, and on the second day, John Holland-Kaye (Heathrow CEO), Andrew Haines (Chief Executive of CAA), and Darren Caplan (Chief Executive of AOA) will speak.
EDITORIAL
This month the editorial is left to Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, in the form of key passages from his speech to the British Air Transport Association on 27 January, which was billed the next day by senior aviation officials in the Department at the Aviation External Advisory Group as ‘very significant’:“… sorting out the [South East] capacity issue is critical. That is why I asked Sir Howard Davies to lead the Airports Commission review. And that is why … the government accepted his case for expansion.That in itself was a big step forward. It showed that the debate has moved on, from whether a new runway should be built, to where. ….. And we intend to meet the Commission’s requirement for an additional runway by 2030.”
“… when opponents of expansion hailed the delay [in deciding which runway option to support] as some sort of victory, they could not have been more wrong. The decision was delayed because it was the right thing to do; the responsible thing to do. To make sure we’re fully prepared. So we know from the outset that we will get the job finished.
Does the delay mean we lack the evidence today to make a convincing decision? Absolutely not: we’re using this time to make the case for new capacity even more watertight.
It means we can test the Commission’s work further against the government’s new air quality plan. This is additional work to test compliance, and build confidence that expansion can take place within legal limits. We’re also doing more work on carbon, to address concerns on sustainability, particularly during construction. We’re dealing with concerns about noise, to get absolutely the best outcome for residents. We want to make sure that communities get the best possible mitigation deal. Finally, we’re carrying out extra economic analysis.”
“We also need it for the benefits it will bring to the wider UK economy.
One of the most persuasive arguments for new capacity is the links it will provide to the North, the South West, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Opponents have tried to suggest that a new runway would somehow undermine our domestic network. In fact the reverse is true. Wherever we decide to build new runway capacity, you can be sure that local economies throughout the UK will benefit, with more flights, more routes, and more connections. So let’s keep beating the drum for the regions in this debate.”
Chris Cain,
Head of Secretariat
PARLIAMENTARY NEWS
3rd January – ComRes Poll reveals majority of MPs back Heathrow expansion, with 68 per cent of Conservative MPs and 66 per cent of Labour politicians supporting Heathrow, compared to 30 per cent and 16 per cent respectively for Gatwick.
7th January – Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald appointed as new Labour transport minister, as Corbyn completes his reshuffle.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1: Question asked on 15th December by Stephen Timms (East Ham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the latest date is on which he could announce his decision on airport expansion in the south east consistent with meeting the timetable for delivering capacity set out by the Airports Commission.
A: Question answered Mr Robert Goodwill on 5th January: On 10 December, the Government accepted the Airports Commission’s case for expansion in the South East. We agree with the Commission’s shortlist of three options, all of which it concluded were viable. The Government will now conclude a package of further work by the summer, and will ensure that the timetable for delivering additional capacity set out by the Commission does not alter.
QUESTION 2: Question asked on 16th December by Stephen Timms (East Ham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to enable smaller London airports to provide extra aviation capacity for the South East of England over the next 10 years.
A: Question answered by Mr Robert Goodwill on 5th January: The Government set out in its 2013 Aviation Policy Framework that it would like to see airports making best use of their existing capacity. However, we recognise that the development of airports can have negative as well as positive local impacts, including on noise levels. We therefore consider that proposals for expansion at these airports should be judged on their individual merits, taking careful account of all relevant considerations, particularly economic and environmental impacts.
QUESTION 3: Question asked by Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) on 16th December: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received on utilising existing airport capacity in the UK to 2030 in the last month.
A: Question answered by Mr Robert Goodwill on 11th January: I have regular meetings with airports, their industry bodies and other aviation partners. The Government set out in the 2013 Aviation Policy Framework that we would be supportive of airports making best use of their existing capacity, provided economic and environmental impacts are taken into account.
QUESTION 4: Question asked by Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) on 12th January: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with Flybe about its proposal to use RAF Northolt for domestic flights; and if he will make a statement.
A: Question answered by Mr Philip Dunne on 18th January: I have received and responded to two pieces of correspondence from Flybe on this topic. I advised the airline that I do not believe it appropriate to discuss their interest in use of RAF Northolt until after the Government has responded to the Davies Commission on Aviation capacity in the South East and greater clarity has been achieved on the future operating and airspace environment around RAF Northolt.
QUESTION 5: Question asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) on 13th January: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what comparative assessment he has made of the relative economic case for expansion of Gatwick and Heathrow Airports.
A: Question answered by Mr Robert Goodwill on 18th January: The Government is currently considering the large amount of very detailed analysis contained in the Airports Commission’s final report before taking any decisions on next steps. The Government will carefully consider all the evidence set out, including the economic cases, when making a decision on additional runway capacity.
QUESTION 6: Question asked by Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) on 25th January: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2016 to Question 22034, whether he plans that any further investment will take place at RAF Northolt (a) on the proposed Engineered Material Arresting System and (b) otherwise until after the Government has responded to the Davies Commission on Aviation Capacity in the South East; and if he will make a statement.
A: Question answered by Mr Philip Dunne on 28th January: The Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) is being scoped as a military infrastructure requirement commensurate with safety cases for military aircraft operating at RAF Northolt and the associated military aerodrome design standards utilised at the Station. I am withholding estimated costs for the EMAS project as it is at the pre-tender stage and disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice commercial interests.
The Mott McDonald report has no opinion or relevance against the military aerodrome design criteria and safety cases in place at the Station or the current operation of RAF Northolt. Any infrastructure investment for military operational requirements will continue to be undertaken as necessary to support military and Government outputs.
QUESTION 7: Question asked by Baroness Randerson on 14th January: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to establish an Independent Aviation Noise Authority to participate in the planning and monitoring of proposed airport expansion in the South East of England, and of airport operations generally.
A: Question answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 27th January: The Government is considering carefully the recommendation from the Airports Commission to establish an Independent Aviation Noise Authority. Any decision to take forward such a body would be subject to consultation on its detailed functions.
QUESTION 8: Question asked by Baroness Randerson on 14th January: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to develop specific long-term targets to protect the public from the health impacts of aircraft noise.
A: Question answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbled on 27th January: Health impacts associated with aviation noise are already factored into policy appraisal where there is relevant robust evidence, including monetisation of these costs where this is possible.
QUESTION 9: Question asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) on 19th January: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the Government will review its aircraft noise policy after the updated WHO guidelines are published in summer 2016.
A: Question answered by Robert Goodwill on 22nd January: The Government’s current policy on aviation noise is to limit, and where possible reduce, the number of people in the UK significantly affected by aircraft noise. The Government will continue to ensure that its policy on aviation noise takes into account emerging evidence that is relevant, including on the health impacts of noise. It should be noted that the current WHO guidelines do not refer solely to noise from aviation, but relate to noise levels from any of various sources including other transport sources such as from road, rail, and non-transport sources such as construction, industry and the neighbourhood.
QUESTION 10: Question asked by Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) on 12th January: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the estimated cost to his Department has been of evaluating the Airports Commission’s Final Report since 1 July 2015.
A: Question answered by Robert Goodwill on 20th January: We do not hold estimates of the cost of reviewing the findings and conclusions of the Airport Commission’s report.
QUESTION 11: Question asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentworth and Isleworth) on 15th January: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Secretary of State has made of the potential effects of a third runway at Heathrow Airport on the UK’s ability to meet pollution targets set at COP21.
A: Question answered by Robert Goodwill on 20th January: Any decision regarding future airport capacity will take into account the Government’s obligations under the 2008 Climate Change Act. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has responsibility for addressing emissions from international aviation, rather than the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which held COP21. We are working hard through ICAO to try to secure agreement on a global market-based measure to address international aviation emissions. For domestic aviation, which is covered by UNFCCC, emissions are already accounted for under the UK’s Carbon Budgets with the aim of ensuring overall UK emissions are less than 80% of 1990 levels by 2050.
GOVERNMENT NEWS
5th January – Government has recently published its Security and Defence Review (SDSR 2015), making innovation its core theme – setting out how the creation of new ideas, better and more cost-effective methods of operation, new technologies and existing assets can be better used, e.g. making better use of RAF Northolt. Read here for more detail.
11th January – Transport Secretary visits launch of pay as you go Oyster and contactless payments at Gatwick Airport, making journeys to and from the airport more convenient for rail passengers.
LONDON AND SOUTH EAST NEWS
1st January – Heathrow celebrates 70 years since it became a commercial airport, and its transformation from a military airfield to a “globally recognised brand”.
2nd January – New routes from London City Airport to Paris and Rennes introduced by Flybe, to fly from March and July respectively.
4th January – Heathrow pledges to expand direct links to more exotic and far away destinations, as it continues battle to win backing for a third runway.
4th January – Work begins on Skyline logistics development adjacent to Heathrow, providing two warehouse and office space units.
4th January – Heathrow Airport investing £2 million into reducing noise, emissions and traffic, beginning with installation of 135 additional electric vehicle chargers.
5th January – Zac Goldsmith claims Heathrow will only be expanded if environmental tests are “rigged”, describing the airport as “off the agenda”.
5th January – Images of Heathrow Garden City unveiled for first time, with homes, offices, hotels and a new Bedfont train station planned to surround the airport.
5th January – London City Airport passenger numbers reach record high, with an increase of over 18% on last year.
6th January – Gatwick campaigners win right to bring an Appeal Court challenge against new flight paths, which they argue make an “intolerable” noise for locals.
11th January – Tory and Labour MPs say expansion at Heathrow is essential for the Welsh economy – Tory MP Craig Williams and Labour’s Stephen Kinnock gave their backing today, saying that “no other UK airport offers value to every nation and region of the UK”.
11th January – Heathrow release traffic and business commentary for December 2015, showing almost 75 million passengers travelling through Heathrow in 2015. Heathrow was recognised by passengers as “best airport in Western Europe” and “Airport of the Year”, winning two separate awards.
11th January – Passengers can now use pay as you go to get to Gatwick Airport, touching in and out using Oyster and contactless payments, with the system running on Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Western and Thameslink services.
12th January – London Luton Airport experiences busiest year in history, with 12.3 million passengers travelling through the airport last year.
13th January – Gatwick Airport sets global passenger record for a single runway airport, handling 40.3 million passengers in 2015. Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate argued this presents a strong case for airport expansion.
13th January – Prime Minister says Government needs to “answer the question about air quality” before answering the question about South East airport capacity expansion, suggesting this problem as an explanation for the delayed decision.
19th January – Green Party calls for London City Airport to be closed and a new housing and business quarter to be built on the land, creating 16,000 jobs and contributing £400 million to the economy.
20th January – Green Party’s mayoral candidate says London City Airport is ‘holding back London’s economic potential’, and says she would transform it into a business district and housing.
21st January – Transport Secretary hints EU referendum could delay airport runway decision, as it is an issue competing for ministers’ attention.
25th January – Secretary of State for Transport visits Luton for official ground breaking ceremony for a new airport terminal, after the airport announced a record breaking 12.3 million passengers in 2015.
29th January – Heathrow Airport commissioning report examining impact of Heathrow expansion on SMEs, carrying out the joint consultation with small business support group Enterprise Nation.
29th January – Gatwick’s Arrivals Review published, which suggests a range of measures to slightly reduce the noise problem, without limiting airport capacity at all.
31st January – Sir Howard Davies , Sir Martin Sorrell, and business groups urge Government to push ahead with airport expansion, fighting back Treasury Committee’s calls for more economic analysis of costs and benefits of additional runways.
REGIONAL NEWS
1st January – Monarch Airlines launch new routes from Manchester Airport, to begin flying to Lisbon, Tel Aviv and Madeira in summer 2016.
2nd January – East Midlands business leaders estimate third runway at Heathrow would bring an extra £7.8 billion to region, and create 10,000 local jobs.
4th January – 160 retail jobs will be created at Edinburgh Airport over the next 6 months, as large chains open outlets at the airport.
4th January – 70 thousand passengers expected to fly from Leeds Bradford Airport over Christmas/New Year period, making it the busiest ever at the airport.
4th January – Residents living near Manchester Airport will have a ‘noisy’ 2016 as Runway Two will be opened for 38 nights, while Runway One will close for refurbishment.
4th January – Councillors meet again to consider controversial additional operating hours at Biggin Hill, after decision was “called in” by five members of the council executive.
4th January – North West region’s transport sector grew by 30 per cent last year, making it the fastest growing sector.
5th January – Cornwall Airport Newquay announces new routes for spring 2016 as it is predicted to be set for growth, with the removal of the Airport Development fee from April 2016, and its recent rebrand.
6th January – bmi regional introduces multiple purchase discount scheme on Norwich-Aberdeen route, to be called ‘Flight Pass’, offering regular travellers’ savings – meanwhile the airline will increase capacity on the route by increasing daily flights.
7th January – Ryanair announces new base at Belfast International Airport, to begin operating from March, flying to London Gatwick.
8th January – Wizz Air to commence flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Budapest, from March this year.
8th January – Flybe expands summer 2016 schedule from Southampton, with additional frequency of flights and return of popular routes to Spain and Portugal.
11th January – Passenger numbers at Cardiff Airport up over 13%, passing the 1 million mark with the introduction of new routes to Milan, Cork and Montego Bay.
11th January – Edinburgh Airport releases figures showing last year as the busiest year on record, with 11 million passengers using the airport.
11th January – Ryanair increases flight frequency between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Malaga, launching the routes with a seat sale.
11th January – Edinburgh records busiest ever year at a Scottish airport, with over 11 million passengers travelling through it in 2015
11th January – Glasgow Airport aims for busiest-ever year in 2016, after achieving its biggest ever percentage increase in annual passenger numbers last year.
11th January – Manchester Airport reports record breaking Christmas, with almost 49,000 people flying via Manchester every day in December.
12th January – Birmingham Airport releases figures showing record breaking year, handling over 10 million passengers in one year for the first time in its history.
12th January – Busiest ever December for Manchester Airport recorded, with over 1.5 million passengers using the airport last month.
12th January – Campaign to reopen Manston Airport moves forward, with first stage of application to reinstate the airport as a cargo airport submitted.
12th January – Liverpool John Lennon Airport reports 8% increase in annual passenger numbers, with 2015 as its busiest year since 2012.
12th January – Glasgow Airport releases figure of 8.7 million passengers passing through its doors in 2015, representing an annual jump of 13 per cent (over 1 million additional passengers).
12th January – Birmingham Airport celebrates most successful year to date, with 10.2 million passengers travelling via the airport in 2015.
13th January – Wizz Air announces new service from Liverpool to Budapest, running from March this year.
13th January – Wizz Air introduces new route from Birmingham to Sofia, beginning on 27th March.
13th January – Flybe to operate two new routes from Cardiff Airport for Euro 2016, travelling to games in Toulouse and Bordeaux.
13th January – Bristol Airport recorded its busiest ever year last year, with 6.5 million people travelling through the terminal.
20th January – Return of flights to and from New York must be catalyst for more services to the North East, suggests Newcastle International Airport’s business development director John Irving.
26th January – Belfast International and City airports see rise in passenger numbers of almost 9% and 5.5% respectively in 2015, making it a “record year” for airports in Northern Ireland.
27th January – Sardatur Holidays introduce weekly flights from Manchester to Sardinia, to be introduced from July 9th.
27th January – Report finds £52 million price for Cardiff Airport nationalisation was justified. The report was by Auditor General for Wales Huw Vaughan Thomas, and detailed a number of findings and recommendations.
28th January – ‘Bold’, detailed Bournemouth Airport growth plans revealed, with millions of pounds of government investment in the area planned, to improve the area by 2021.
28th January – Flights announced from Norwich to Exeter, to be run by Flybe from March 24th.
28th January – Cardiff Airport Chairman Roger Lewis says a direct service from Cardiff to North America can be landed, and that the airport is in continuous dialogue with airlines globally to secure this.
28th January – Flybe posts 3.6% growth in passenger revenues for the period before Christmas and unveils new flights to Norwich from Exeter Airport, running from March.
28th January – Scottish Airports calling for 50% cut to APD, urging Nicola Sturgeon to slash the duty from April 2018, claiming it would create 4000 additional jobs and bolster Scotland’s economy by an additional £1 billion.
28th January – Wizz Air reports continued rapid growth in passenger numbers in last quarter of last year, boosted by its popularity at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
28th January – Report shows that flying to Europe from Yorkshire costs up to 146% more than flying from London, making it the most expensive region from which to fly to locations such as Paris.
28th January – Cardiff Airport targeting 31% summer capacity increase to key Spanish destinations for summer 2016, working with Vueling to provide 30,000 additional seats during peak season.
29th January – Air France –KLM Celebrate 500,000 passenger milestone at Newcastle Airport , promising to deliver more services for North-East flyers.
29th January – Manchester Airport named as the UK’s best airport for the second year running, outcompeting Heathrow for the award
31st January – Bristol Airport named as the UK’s most expensive airport for passengers to reach, with journeys costing more per mile than Gatwick, Birmingham, Heathrow and Manchester.
NATIONAL AND OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
4th January – New European rules mean information on flight safety incidents at UK airports will no longer be released to the public.
4th January – Monarch announces expanded summer 2016 schedule, adding flights from Manchester, London Gatwick and Birmingham to Lisbon, and Birmingham to Madrid.
5th January – Ryanair outlines 2016 plans, aiming to carry 14 million passengers through Irish airports this year.
11th January – Figures of Heathrow’s 2015 record released, as passengers hit 75 million last year, strengthening the airport’s case for expansion.
13th January – CAA announces review of roads and infrastructure connecting Britain’s airports, which will take place this year, evaluating whether existing infrastructure is providing adequate services for customers.
23rd January – Recent survey for new National Infrastructure Commission shows aviation not regarded as a high priority for spending, with renewable energy, housebuilding and energy from waste prioritised.
25th January – Secretary of State for Transport makes speech at BATA dinner on aviation capacity, speaking about aviation growth, the delayed decision, local UK growth, and assuring that the Government’s decision “will be the right decision for Britain”.
26th January – EasyJet reports lower demand for travel after Paris attacks in final weeks of 2015, but is now seeing a recovery in bookings and ticket prices.
27th January – Transport secretary due to launch a defence of government’s postponement of South East air capacity decision, calling it the ‘right thing to do’.
EUROPEAN NEWS
8th January – EU airport traffic rose by 5.1% in November, ACI Europe traffic report figures show.
21st January – Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc makes a speech called “Time for Delivery” at the Aviation Summit about putting the EU Aviation strategy into practice.
25th January – Airlines for Europe (A4E) officially launched by Europe’s five largest airline groups, to represent members when dealing with EU institutions, international organisations and national governments on European aviation issues. Will act as a lobby group.
25th January – Group of Far East airlines launch world’s first low-cost carriers coalition – the U-FLY Alliance. Formed by HK Express, Lucky Air, Urumqi Air and West Air, offering 85 destinations with 168 city pair options in the Asia-Pacific region.
27th January – EasyJet CEO says airline will campaign for Britain to stay in EU, stating that UK should stay in the EU for low fares and airline benefits.
28th January – CAPA sets out issues aviation might face if UK chose to leave EU, such as airlines not enjoying automatic access to the market of the European Common Aviation Area.
29th January – The European Commission has published the first European Aviation Environmental Report, which points at the challenge of sustainability. It includes key performance indicators on noise, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutions, and forecasts scenarios for the next 20 years.
SASIG WEBSITE ADDITIONS
- Updated list of Airports Commission documents (now including the new FOI release from 19th January 2016).
- Latest News: Secretary of State for Transport gives significant speech at BATA annual dinner 2016.