SASIG February 2017 Bulletin

EDITORIAL

As foreshadowed in January’s Newsletter, February’s Newsletter follows close on its heels and is dominated by the twin-track consultations that the Government commenced on 2nd February on the ‘draft National Policy Statement’ and ‘airspace and noise policy’. Unlike the earlier ‘Night Noise’ consultation, which was conducted over a very short six-week period, these consultations are slated to last 16 weeks with the response deadline being just before midnight on 25th May. Both consultations are substantive exercises that have direct relevance to, and potential impact upon, SASIG members and the current expectation is that SASIG collectively will make submissions to each, alongside any that members may wish to make individually.

However, there remains no imminent sign of the fourth consultation DfT promised setting out the scope of a future ‘Aviation Strategy’. Latest indications point to April before this emerges, to be followed by discussion papers on a number of generic issues (e.g. competition, the passenger experience, freight, innovation, skills/technology, surface access) with a finished policy document now not expected until the end of 2018. Amongst those that have clearly already been briefed by DfT about the contents, there has been no mention of a specific discussion paper on regional airports; this is likely to be a major bone of contention if that is indeed the case.As the Government embarks upon this latter element of its three cornered approach to aviation policy it is clearly going to be very important for SASIG to engage more closely with officials in DfT (and other departments) over the next 18 months. The forthcoming meeting between a delegation from SASIG and Aviation Minister Lord Ahmad at DfT on 21st March, offers the opportunity to seek ministerial imprimatur to support this access and the workshop sessions planned for 7th April are the vehicle to begin to hone our key policy messages.

Chris Cain,
Head of Secretariat
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CONTENTS

SASIG Future Meetings
1st March: Technical Working Groups: Surface Access (a.m.) and Environment, Planning & Airspace (pm) Venue: Stansted Aerozone.
7th April: Full SASIG meeting and Workshops: Venue: CIHT, London.
25th May: Technical Working Groups: Surface Access (am) and Environment, Planning & Airspace (pm) Venue: CIHT, London.
7th June: Technical Working Group: Airports, Cities & Economic Growth. Venue: East India Club, London.
6th July: SASIG AGM/Full meeting: Venue: CIHT, London.External Meetings and Conferences
6th April 2017: Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum: Regional Airports in the UK: priorities for connectivity, capacity and investment – Central Birmingham. Sessions at this seminar will focus on regional airport capacity and aviation throughout the UK, following the publication of the Airports Commission report into expansion in the South East in 2015 and the expected government decision later this year.
23rd-25th April 2017:  Routes Europe 2017 – Belfast Northern Ireland.
15th – 17th May 2017: ACI Europe’s 10th Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition: Cork, Ireland.
4th-6th July 2017: LGA Annual Conference & Exhibition: International Convention Centre, Birmingham.  This is the local Government event of the year.

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Transport Questions – House of Common: 2nd February 2017
Airport Capacity and Airspace Policy
Due to the length of this item, our newsletter is only showing the Speech by the Secretary of State, Chris Grayling.  The discussion in its entirety can be seen here, but is worth dipping into especially if one of your MP’s spoke.The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling): “With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement about airport capacity and airspace policy.
In October last year, I announced that the Government had selected a new north-west runway scheme at Heathrow as its preferred scheme for new airport capacity in the south-east. Aviation expansion is important for the UK, both in boosting our economy and jobs, and in promoting us on the world stage. Leaving the EU is a new chapter for Britain and provides us with a great opportunity to forge a new role in the world. We are determined to seize that opportunity, and having the right infrastructure in place will allow us to build a more global Britain. By backing the north-west runway at Heathrow airport and publishing our proposals today, we are sending a clear signal that when we leave the EU Britain will be open for business.
Today, I lay before Parliament a draft airports national policy statement and begin a period of extensive public consultation on the proposals it contains. The draft airports national policy statement is accompanied by an appraisal of sustainability, which assesses the potential economic, social and environmental impacts of the proposed policy. I have published all this information online to ensure that the process is as transparent as possible.
Over the past 70 years, the UK has failed to build the capacity needed to match people’s growing desire for travel. Unless we take action, every London airport is forecast to be full by 2040 and almost entirely full by 2030. Doing nothing is no longer a choice we can afford to make. Without expansion, constraints in the aviation sector would impose increasing costs on the rest of the economy over time, lowering economic output by making aviation more expensive and less convenient to use, with knock-on effects in lost trade, tourism and foreign direct investment.
The Government believe that a new north-west runway at Heathrow best delivers the need for additional airport capacity. The draft airports national policy statement sets out this rationale in full. It is expected that Heathrow will provide the greatest economic and employment benefits, delivering tens of thousands of additional local jobs by 2030 and up to £61 billion of economic benefits, not including wider trade benefits. The scheme will benefit the whole of the UK. I expect Heathrow airport to work with airlines to improve domestic connectivity, including the addition of six more domestic routes across the UK by 2030, bringing the total to 14. This will strengthen existing links to nations and regions, and develop new connections.
Heathrow’s location means it is already accessible to business and the rest of the UK. In future, it will be connected to Crossrail, and linked to HS2 at Old Oak Common. We are also bringing forward plans to deliver western and southern rail access to the airport as quickly as possible to provide greater flexibility, accessibility and resilience for passengers. The Heathrow north-west runway would be expected to deliver the greatest support for freight. As we leave the European Union, we will need to get out into the world and do new business with old allies and new partners alike. A new north-west ​runway at Heathrow will be at the heart of this. In summary, a new north-west runway at Heathrow would be expected to create new global connections, create tens of thousands of jobs, reduce fares for passengers, provide new capacity for freight imports and exports, and spread the benefits of growth to the whole of the UK. Today we are sending a clear message that the Government are not only making the big decisions but getting on with delivering them. I am clear that expansion must not come at any cost and that we will meet our legal requirements on air quality and obligations on carbon. The airports national policy statement, if designated, will provide the primary basis for making decisions on any development consent application for a new north-west runway at Heathrow. Heathrow airport would be expected to provide up to £2.6 billion to communities affected by the expansion, including noise insulation for homes and schools, improvements to public facilities and other measures. This includes a community compensation fund and establishing a community engagement board.
For those people whose homes need to be compulsorily purchased to make way for the new runway, or for those who take up the voluntary scheme, Heathrow must honour its commitment of payments of 25% above the full market value of people’s homes and its commitment to cover all costs, such as stamp duty, and moving and legal fees. I am also clear that the environmental impact of expansion must be minimised. Industry-leading measures will be required to mitigate air quality impacts, and Heathrow airport will be required to demonstrate that the scheme can be delivered within legal air quality obligations.
The airport should continue to strive to meet its public pledge to ensure that landside airport-related traffic is no greater than today. Measures will also be required to mitigate the impacts of noise, including legally binding noise targets and periods of predictable respite. The Government expect a ban of six and a half hours on scheduled night flights.
Lastly, construction must take place in a manner that minimises impacts on the environment and the local community. Outside of the planning system, I am clear that there must be conditions on cost and that expansion costs will be paid for by the private sector, not the taxpayer. The Government expect industry to work together to drive down costs. I have appointed Sir Jeremy Sullivan, the former Senior President of Tribunals, to provide independent oversight of the draft airports national policy statement consultation process.
The second consultation that I wish to bring to the attention of the House is on UK airspace policy. I am publishing proposals to modernise the way UK airspace is managed, which will be consulted on in parallel. By taking steps now to future-proof this vital infrastructure, we can harness the latest technology to make airspace more efficient as well as making journeys faster and more environmentally friendly. The policy principles set out in this airspace consultation will influence decisions taken later in the planning process for a north-west runway at Heathrow. It is therefore sensible to allow members of the public to express views on both these issues at the same time.
The consultation will set out our plans to establish an independent commission on civil aviation noise and bring forward proposals to improve how communities ​can engage and make sure their voices are heard. To complement this, we are proposing guidance on how noise impacts should be assessed and used to inform decisions on airspace options. These proposals aim to strike a balance between the economic benefits of a thriving aviation sector and its impacts on local communities and the environment.
The aviation sector is a great British success story: it contributes around £20 billion per year, directly supports approximately 230,000 jobs across the United Kingdom and supports an estimated 260,000 jobs across the wider economy. I want to build on this success, and this year my Department will begin developing a new strategy for UK aviation generally that will champion the success story of the UK’s aviation sector and put the consumer back at the heart of our thinking. I want to make sure that the sector is delivering more choice for consumers and the country as a whole, and I will come back to the House to update you, Mr Speaker, and hon. Members on our plans as they develop.
Finally, I turn briefly to what happens next. These two consultations will start today and last for 16 weeks, closing on 25 May. At the same time, and as required by the Planning Act 2008, a period of parliamentary scrutiny—the “relevant period”—now begins for the draft airports national policy statement. It will end by summer recess 2017. Although planning is a devolved matter, the consultation will be open to the whole of the UK, as additional airport capacity will benefit us all.
Following consultation and parliamentary scrutiny, consideration will be given to the comments and points raised. In the light of those processes, should the decision be taken to proceed, a final airports national policy statement will be laid before Parliament for debate and there will be the opportunity for a vote in the House of Commons in winter 2017-18.
I will place copies of all the relevant documents in the House; they will also be available online for Members and members of the public. I commend the statement and process to the House”.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

Q.1. Question (62056) asked by Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) on 27th January 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that global opportunities for the Midlands provided by Birmingham Airport are highlighted in the Midlands connect strategy”.
A. John Hayes on 6th February 2017: “Midlands Connect is a regional partnership that is developing its transport strategy for the Midlands, due in Spring this year. In preparing the strategy, Midlands Connect has involved Birmingham Airport in discussions as part of its analysis of how Midlands travellers connect to international markets and possible initiatives to improve global connectivity for the Midlands to help drive forward the region’s economy.”
Q.2. Question (62677) asked by Grant Shapps (Welwyn Hatfield) on 31st January 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether a publication date has been set for his Department’s review of airspace modernisation and noise policies in the UK”.
A. John Hayes on 6th February 2017: “The UK Airspace Policy: A framework for balanced decisions on the design and use of airspace consultation was published on 2 February 2017. A copy of this document has been placed in the Library”.
Q.3. Question (61867) asked by Margaret Greenwood (Wirral West) on 27th January 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Government has made of the benefit to the UK of membership of the European Aviation Safety Agency”.
A. John Hayes on 3rd February 2017: “The system centred on the European Aviation Safety Agency has delivered significant efficiencies in the safety regulation of civil aviation in the EU while ensuring a high level of safety. The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising for our aviation industry from the UK’s exit from the EU, including the implications for the continued participation in the European Aviation Safety Agency system”.
Q.4. Question (62418) asked by Grant Shapps (Welwyn Hatfield) on 31st January 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the Aviation Strategy to be published”.
A. John Hayes on 3rd February 2017: “We have begun the process of developing a new strategy for UK aviation. This will be an ambitious programme of work, and we will be consulting widely throughout 2017, leading to publication of an Aviation Strategy White Paper at the end of 2018”.
Q.5. Question (HL5225) asked by Lord Trefgarne on 3rd February 2017: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their intention to repatriate to the Civil Aviation Authority the regulation of civil aviation following Brexit”.
A. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 14th February: “The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the Government’s expert Arm’s Length Body for the safety, security, consumer rights and economic regulation of civil aviation in the United Kingdom. The CAA participates in European Union (EU) regulatory systems in these areas. The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including for the aviation industry”.
Q.6. Question (63040) asked by Ian Austin (Dudley North) on 3rd February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support the connectivity of regional airports to High Speed 2”.
A. Andrew Jones on 8th February 2017: “High Speed 2 will transform our country’s railways and airport connectivity. As part of Phase One, there will be access to Birmingham Airport via a high capacity people mover at Birmingham Interchange, and excellent links to Heathrow via direct train links at Old Oak Common. Phase Two will further improve regional airport connectivity, with a dedicated HS2 station to Manchester Airport. The new HS2 station at Toton will allow easy access to East Midlands airport”.
Q.7. Question (63061) asked by Seema Malhotra (Feltham & Heston) on 3rd February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department’s consultation on Draft Airports National Policy Statement: new runway capacity and infrastructure at airports in the South East of England, published in February 2017, how capacity on the M4 will be assessed as part of future planning in relation to the road network; and if he will make a statement”.
A. John Hayes on 8th February 2017: “The Department has no plans to widen the M4 because of the proposed expansion at Heathrow Airport. Our focus is on maximising the number of airport journeys made by public transport. The draft Airports National Policy Statement published on 2 February proposes specific public transport mode share targets against which Heathrow Airport Limited would report on an annual basis. Heathrow Airport Limited has pledged not to increase the number of vehicles on the road as a result of expansion. Capacity on the strategic road network, including the M4, is considered through Highways England’s route strategies, which contribute to the development of our road investment strategy”.
Q.8. Question (63041) asked by Ian Austin (Dudley North) on 3rd February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will bring forward funding proposals to support the growth of regional airports as part of the industrial strategy”.
A. Nick Hurd on 8th February 2017: “The Government welcomes the ambition of airports across the UK to invest in their infrastructure to enable services to more destinations, and better facilities and choice for passengers. As part of the Aviation Strategy we will consider how they can best utilise their existing capacity to allow the growth of both domestic and international connectivity. In addition, the Industrial Strategy Green Paper seeks views on how infrastructure needs across the country can be most effectively incorporated within national infrastructure policy”.
Q.9. Question (62706) asked by Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) on 1st February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made in improving rail links to Stansted Airport; and what timescale he has set to ensure that those links are improved”.
A. John Hayes on 7th February 2017: “The new East Anglia franchise is bringing a number of improvements for passengers travelling to Stansted airport, including new trains with free Wi-Fi from February 2019 and a minimum 12.5% reduction in anytime single and return fares and anytime single fares on the Stansted Express by early 2017. By early 2018, passengers will be able to purchase tickets via a dedicated Stansted Express website, to be delivered to their mobile devices for validation. Almost all hourly services between Norwich and Cambridge are to be extended to provide a direct service to and from Stansted Airport.
In addition, CrossCountry is planning to deliver additional services between the Midlands and Stansted Airport as and when additional rolling stock and train paths become available. The West Anglia Taskforce examined potential long term upgrades to rail infrastructure between London, Stansted and Cambridge and the benefits it might generate. The Taskforce published its recommendations and a suggested timetable for action last July. We have already actioned one of the recommendations of the West Anglia Taskforce report – to establish a rail “action group” for the West Anglia Main Line. This group comprising representatives of the Department for Transport and other key stakeholders is examining a number of issues in relation to the West Anglia Main Line, including potential improvements to services to Stansted airport”.
Q.10. Question (62792) asked by Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) on 1st February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department’s aviation strategy will set out how the Government plans to support the development of airports with spare capacity to their maximum potential up to 2030 or before Heathrow expansion is complete”.
A. John Hayes on 7th February 2017: “As part of the development of the Aviation Strategy, we will look at how demand for air travel is likely to evolve in the coming decades, and what that will mean for our existing infrastructure. The Strategy will seek to address how we should make the best use that we can of existing infrastructure, and what principles should govern development going forward”.
Q.11. Question (63420) asked by Jim Shannon (Strangford) on 7th February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the number of new apprenticeships resulting from the expansion of Heathrow airport; and what assessment he has made of the effect of that expansion on the skill bank of workers in local communities”.
A. John Hayes on 14th February 2017: “Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) has publicly committed to create10,000 new apprenticeships ‎by 2030 at an expanded airport, thereby doubling the number offered. The draft Airports National Policy Statement laid before Parliament on Thursday 2 February also sets out the Government’s expectation that the airport will maximise the employment and skills opportunities for local residents to share the benefits of expansion with neighbouring communities. HAL itself has pledged to reduce youth employment in the five boroughs closest to the airport with expansion at the airport expected to generate tens of thousands of local jobs by 2030”.
Q.12. Question (62791) asked by Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) on 1st February 2017: “To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will respond to EDM 572, Frequent Flyer Levy campaign”.
A. Jane Ellison on 9th February 2017: “The Government believes that Air Passenger Duty fulfils effectively the same function as a Frequent Flier Levy as the nature of the tax is that those who fly more and further pay more than those who do not. For example, a business passenger who makes a long-haul journey four times a year pays £571 more in tax than an economy passenger who flies only once to a short-haul destination”.
Q.13. Question (63140) asked by Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) on 6th February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to support the growth of Birmingham Airport in his Department’s planned aviation strategy”.
A. John Hayes on 14th February 2017: “I refer the honourable Member to my answer to the Rt Honourable Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Liam Byrne), on 3 February 2017, UIN 61822
(http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=61822).
The new aviation strategy will be for the long term and will cover the whole sector, including airports. We will be carrying out full and constructive engagement with the industry and other partners in the sector around the country”.
Q.14. Question (64517) asked by Drew Hendry (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey) on 20th February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the next High Level Output Specification will include specific projects targeted at increasing access to airports with spare capacity in the period before Heathrow expansion is complete”.
A. Paul Maynard on 23rd February 2017: “The rail industry has recently provided its initial advice to Ministers for Control Period 6 (2019-2024), which we are carefully considering. In due course we will make announcements on the outcomes we want to see from the railway during CP6, as well as engage with stakeholders. Scottish Ministers, under the provision of the Railways Act 2005, are required to set out their own High Level Output Statement and Statement of Funds Available (SoFA) in respect of railways in Scotland, through which they will set their own priorities”.
Q.15. Question (64563) asked by Jim Shannon (Strangford) on 20th February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that airports have increased capacity in the next 10 to 20 years”.
A. John Hayes on 28th February 2017: “The 2013 Aviation Policy Framework (APF) states that “the UK Government wants to see the best use of existing capacity at all UK airports”. The UK’s airports are private entities operating in a competitive, commercial environment, and it is therefore for individual airport operators to propose and develop capacity expansion plans. In this regard the Government welcomes the ambition of airports across the country to respond to local and regional demand by investing in their infrastructure to enable services to more destinations, and better facilities and choice for their passengers.
This year we have begun the process of developing a new strategy for UK aviation which will build on its success. The new strategy will set the framework for how the industry can grow sustainably. This will be an ambitious, ongoing programme of work which has already begun to explore where Government can, and should, make a difference. We will be consulting widely, both with the industry and with consumers throughout 2017, starting in the spring. This will maintain momentum and set the rhythm for aviation policy in the lead up to publication of an Aviation Strategy White Paper in 2018”.
Q.16. Question (64105) asked by Adam Afriyie(Windsor) on 17th February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the final National Policy Statement on Aviation will include an estimate of the cost of clearing landfill necessary for a third runway at Heathrow; and whether that cost will be borne by the public purse”.
A. John Hayes on 24th February 2017: “The Government is currently consulting on a draft Airports National Policy Statement, with the consultation closing on 25 May 2017. Following consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny, the Government will consider all the responses received and, if it chooses to proceed, could then lay a proposed final Airports National Policy Statement before Parliament. It would be inappropriate for the Government to speculate on the content of any final Airports National Policy Statement before all of the relevant procedural steps have been taken. I would encourage the Hon Member to set out his views on the issue of landfill clearing costs in his response to the consultation”.
Q.17. Question (64911) asked by Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) on 21st February 2017: “To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with Ministers of the Welsh Government on the building of a train station at Cardiff Airport.
A. Alan Cairns on 24th February 2017: “I have had a range of discussions with the Welsh Government around supporting Cardiff Airport in which access forms part of those discussions”.GOVERNMENT NEWS2nd February – Government publishes the draft Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) consultation. The draft NPS and associated documents can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/heathrow-airport-expansion
2nd February – Alongside the draft NPS, the Government publishes separate proposals to modernise the way UK airspace is managed.  The airspace consultation and associated documents can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-airspace-policy
2nd February – CAA publishes the Survey of Noise Attitudes (SoNA) 2014 (CAP 1506)
which was commissioned by the DfT and builds on earlier noise attitude surveys commissioned by Defra.  More information can be seen at: www.caa.co.uk/noiseeffects

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LONDON AND SOUTH EAST NEWS
1st February – Gatwick is to impose higher charges on noisier aircraft. The higher charges will be on airlines that fail to modify noisier Airbus A320 aircraft from next year.
2nd February – Campaign group calls on Government to phase out all night flights at Stansted. Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) all night flights at Stansted phased out by 2030.
3rd February – Heathrow says Government must build public confidence on air quality. Airport writes a letter to the Department for Transport after the publication of the draft National Policy Statement yesterday.
6th February – Study is launched into investment in Gatwick region’s road/rail structure. It will report in April ahead of next transport investment decisions by Network Rail and Government.
7th February – London City Airport welcomes KLM’s inaugural flight from Amsterdam. The carrier is officially back after a gap of nearly eight years.
10th February – Gatwick celebrates its busiest ever January.  Passenger numbers travelling through the airport are over 12% up on the same month last year.
10th February – Heathrow lands best January on record. Heathrow has seen growth accelerate in recent months, suggesting economic resilience as the UK adapts to Brexit.
13th February – New poll says public are behind new Heathrow runway. ComRes polling finds over 2/3rds of the public think it shows Britain remains ‘open for business’ after Brexit.
14th February – Easyjet debuts London Luton routes to France and Spain. It has commenced a 3 times a week service to Valencia and 4 times a week service to Marseille.
16th February – Chris Grayling urges public to take part in consultation events. The DfT has said it will pay 25% above market price for compulsory purchase orders of homes.
17th February – Stansted Airport evacuated after fire alarm was raised.  The cause was thought to be an e-cigarette smoked in the toilets.
18th February – Richmond Council leader is unhappy with DfT leaflets on NPS consultation. Lord True says the information being put out in the leaflet is inadequate and does not deal enough with noise issues.  
19th February – Beaconsfield MP urges his constituents to respond to NPS consultation. He says that communities in the constituency will be directly affected by the proposals.
21st February – 5 arrested for blocking Heathrow tunnel. Protesters from the Rising Up group caused tailbacks on M4 to Heathrow in an action against plans for a third runway.
23rd February – Dozens of flights cancelled at Heathrow because of Storm Doris. Ten per cent of flights have been cancelled due to high winds, a spokesman said.
23rd February – Government package secures London Stansted to City of Derry route. Government has pledged £3.8m towards the new route, with flights to start on 26th March.
28th February – Heathrow Airport tops country for laser attacks. Aircraft using Heathrow saw almost twice as many attacks than any other UK airport last year, new figures show.

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REGIONAL NEWS
1st February – Bristol Airport scores highly on customer satisfaction. It holds on to top spot in the ASQ Survey, a passenger experience benchmarking programme run by ACI.
1st February – North of England must go global to boost growth. A report from an independent commission of business leaders has found better connected airports in the North of England could release massive potential benefits for trade and business growth.
2nd February – Newquay Airport recommended for Heathrow route under NPS.  Steve Double, local MP has welcomed the announcement by the Secretary of State.
2nd February – Liverpool Airport welcomes the Government’s draft NPS. Says it recognises the importance of a link from Liverpool to an expanded Heathrow Airport.
3rd February – Aviation Minister visits Leeds Bradford Airport. He said: “The route to Leeds Bradford Airport which operates to Heathrow is going to be strengthened”.
4th February – A new extension is due to open at Aberdeen Airport in May. The new international arrivals/baggage reclaim building will mark completion of first phase of the £20m expansion of the Dyce terminal.
9th February – Newquay is the UK’s fastest growing airport. Decision to scrap a £5 “airport development fee” has helped it become fastest growing of Britain’s 35 biggest airports.
10th February – British Airways is to resume flights from two regional airports. It will resume flights from Birmingham and Bristol with the launch of 4 new summer-only routes.
10th February – Cardiff Airport appoints new C.E.  The airport, owned by the Welsh Government is also recruiting for an executive to oversee development and planning.
16th February – Jet2 is to create 100 new jobs at East Midlands Airport. It will bring its ground handling operations in-house.
16th February – Runway is to be strengthened at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The runway is being strengthened and resurfaced thanks to a £6m investment from Peel Airports.
16th February – Ryanair increases number of flights from Leeds Bradford. The airline has announced a new route to Worclaw in Poland and a winter service to Murcia in Spain.
17th February – Newcastle Airport celebrates its 50th anniversary. On February 17, 1967, Prime Minister Harold Wilson officially opened the £2.5m scheme.
17th February – Flybe passenger jet landing at Southampton Airport on 13th February had near miss with drone. Incident is due to be investigated by the CAA Airprox Board.
20th February – Global airlines view Doncaster Sheffield Airport in good light. Head of Aviation Development at airport says it is as a result of a stream of good news.
21st February – Third terminal at Dublin Airport is to be considered. A new review of airport capacity will look at the potential of a third, privately-operated, terminal according to the Minister for Transport.
23rd February – Inverness Airport rail station poised to win approval.  Councillors have been urged to back the plans with the platform expected to be built by December, if approved and the station to be open to passengers before the end of next year.
23rd February – New hotel opens at Bristol Airport. A new Hampton by Hilton brand hotel has opened its doors at Bristol Airport, the first to be based at the airport.
23rd February – Passenger numbers soar at Exeter Airport. The airport has recorded its fourth successive year of growth with passenger number up 8 per cent.
28th February – BMI regional begins Birmingham base. The carrier has reopened an operational base at the airport with a twice-weekly service to Graz in Austria.
28th February – Over 50 laser attacks at East Midlands Airport and over 70 at Birmingham Airport in 2016. The figures have been published by the Civil Aviation Authority.

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NATIONAL AND OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
7th February – Ryanair says it is ‘too nice’ to passengers. Passengers are taking advantage of a relaxed attitude to cabin baggage, claims Ryanair’s chief financial officer.
7th February – Some UK airport parking is costing more than the flight.  A spokesman for the AA says families are better off getting a taxi to the airport.
8th February – Ryanair may drop domestic UK flights after Brexit. Market changes may mean it will not be able to operate its current network of UK routes after Brexit.
13th February – Flybe comes second in annual survey of Europe’s budget airlines. Flight-Report’s annual survey based on passenger experience puts Transavia first.
14th February – Easyjet announce first travel start-ups for their accelerator programme.  They are Flio, the global airport app and Lucky Trip app.
17th February – Ryanair warns of Brexit fallout.  Airline boss warns of ‘unlikely possibility’ flights from UK to Europe could be grounded from early 2019 if Brexit goes ahead.
24th February – Ryanair calls for ‘clarity’ on Brexit. It warned it could make “significant capacity cuts” unless there is more “clarity” in the next 12 months.
27th February – BA wins ‘battle of the brands’ for 4th year running. The flag carrier beat over 1,500 companies to top the annual UK Superbrands ranking for the 4th year running.
28th February – 7 billion gallons of jet fuel saved and 74 million tons of carbon dioxide eliminated. API and APB winglet technology has helped to achieve this globally.

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EUROPEAN NEWS
9th February – European Commission announces plan for revisions to aviation’s participation in the EU Emissions Trading System. EU will continue to limit the future coverage of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to intra-EU flights.
10th February – Court in Austria blocks 3rd runway at Vienna Airport. The application has been denied on climate change grounds.
17th February – Record breaking 2 billion passengers used Europe’s airports in 2016. Passenger traffic across European airports saw an average growth of 5.1%, says ACI report.
23rd February – Brussels Airport may be sold.  It is being prepared for a potential sale as one of its owners is planning an exit from Belgium’s main hub, close sources have said.

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• The draft Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) consultation can be seen here . Consultation responses must be submitted by 11.45pm on 25 May 2017. To respond click here.
• The government’s policy on managing UK airspace and associated documents can be seen here.
• The Civil Aviation Authority Survey of Noise Attitudes (SoNA) 2014 (CAP 1506)report can be found here. For more information regarding this subject please visit the CAA website here. 
• Transport Select Committee Inquiry into Airport Management and Modernisation and the Draft Airports National Policy Statement.