Editor’s Highlights
A Happy Easter from the Secretariat to all our readers. Spring may have been delayed by recurring blasts of the Beast from the East, but we hope the imminent launch of SASIG’s new website will soon be announced. New access codes have been sent to members and we will notify everyone as soon as the site has gone live.
Parliament went into recess on 30th March and returns on 16th April. The anticipated publication of the Government’s response to the initial Aviation Strategy consultation and a promised statement on making best use of existing capacity is therefore unlikely until the House returns. However, the Transport Select Committee did publish its report on the draft National Policy Statement, the last milestone before a final version is laid before Parliament, probably at the end of June, and there was a long debate in the Lords on the document on 15th March (see Transport Questions section below). There are also a lot of interesting and relevant News articles to peruse this month.
Finally, there are signs of some progress towards a post Brexit aviation deal. Although much remains to be done, the apparent agreement of a Transition deal may have removed the immediate uncertainties that would otherwise have faced the industry in the Autumn of this year.
SASIG’s focus will therefore temporarily shift to the draft NPPF (which says very little of value on aviation having been distracted by the powerful GA lobby), discussions with DfT officials about the scope of Competent Authority requirements that may be foisted on local planning authorities and the commencement of a dialogue with them on surface access.
Monthly Highlights
5th March – There is a debate in the House of Commons regarding the revision of the National Policy Planning Framework. In line with this, the Government also began two consultations. One is regarding the revised NPPF and the other is regarding the reform of the existing developer contributions. Both of these consultations will run until 10th May 2018.
15th March – The Space Industry Act 2018 was given Royal Assent. This is a Bill to make provision about space activities and suborbital activities and for connected purposes.
20th March – Secretary of State for Transport invites private companies to come forward with ideas to deliver a new southern rail link to Heathrow Airport.
23rd March – Commons Transport Select Committee publishes report on the draft NPS.
Events, Meetings and Conferences
SASIG Meetings
– 11th July 2018: SASIG full meeting/AGM (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London)
– 16th November 2018: SASIG full meeting (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London)
External Conferences
– 12th April 2018: Priorities for airport development beyond the South-east: Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum, Central Manchester.
– 22nd-24th April 2018: Routes Europe, Bilbao, Spain
– 14th-16th May 2018: 11th ACI Europe Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition: Naples, Italy.
– 12th-13th June 2018: 3rd British-Irish Airports Expo., London Olympia. Heathrow will host the occasion and Baroness Sugg, Aviation Minister will open the exhibition.
Consultations
This list gathers European Commission public consultations in one place and replaces the former ‘Your voice in Europe’ website: http://ec.europa.eu/info/consultations_en
Parliamentary and Government News
(Both Houses rose on 29th March for Easter recess and will return on 16th April).
5th March – A debate in the House of Commons regarding the National Policy Planning Framework can be seen here. In line with this, the Government also began two consultations. One is regarding the revised NPPF, details of which can be seen here. The other is regarding the reform of the existing developer contributions, details of which can be seen here. Both of these consultations will run until 10th May 2018.
15th March – The Space Industry Act 2018 was given Royal Assent. This is a Bill to make provision about space activities and suborbital activities and for connected purposes. Further information and useful links may be seen here.
20th March – Secretary of State for Transport invites private companies to come forward with ideas to deliver a new southern rail link to Heathrow Airport. His speech can be seen here.
23rd March – Commons Transport Select Committee published report on Heathrow expansion can be seen here.
Transport Questions: House of Commons:
1st March – Transport:
A debate concerning various aspects of transport including regional expenditure and emissions can be seen here.
13th March – LEPs
A debate concerning the future of LEPs post-Brexit can be seen here.
Transport Questions: House of Lords
6th March – Brexit: General Aviation
A debate on the future regulation of general aviation after Brexit and how this may fit in
with plans to reform UK airspace policy can be seen here.
15th March – Revised Draft Airports National Policy Statement
A motion was put forward that the House takes note of the Revised Draft Airports National Policy Statement: new runway capacity and infrastructure at airports in the South East of England. The following discussion may be seen here.
29th March – Brexit: Border Control
A short debate on border control post-Brexit can be seen here.
Parliamentary Questions:
Q.1. Question (130799) asked by Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) on 5th March 2018: “To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential economic benefits for Luton Airport of including increased trains services to Luton Airport Parkway in the East Midlands rail franchise, and if he will make a statement”.
Joseph Johnson on 12th March 2018: “The Government and rail industry are investing in the biggest improvement in rail travel since the Victorian era, including through the upgrade of the Midland Main Line. This programme will improve rail journeys for passengers using the Midland Main Line to travel into London St Pancras. Once electrification of the Midland Main Line to Corby is complete in 2020, passengers at Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway will benefit from a new, dedicated, fast commuter service into London St Pancras. The electric trains will be longer, with more seats. We are also considering the case for additional services to Luton Airport Parkway and have been working collaboratively with Luton Airport to understand their proposals. Any outcome will seek to secure the best value for money for the taxpayer, and be in the best interests of rail passengers. All options for rail services in the next East Midlands rail franchise are subject to analysis of the potential benefits and our consultation with stakeholders, which closed on 11 October 2017. Thus, no decisions have been made on rail services that will be specified for the next franchise. The next franchise is planned to start in August 2019. Invitations to Tender are due to be issued to potential bidders later this year. The ITT will set out the minimum requirements and provide the baseline that we expect the next franchise to build on”.
Q.2. Question (130984) asked by Bob Seely (Isle of Wight) on 5th March 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that general aviation is a catalyst for future growth and high-tech jobs; and if he will make a statement”.
Jessie Norman on 12th March 2018: “The new Aviation Strategy will address the potential, the needs and the concerns of all types of aviation. This includes including General Aviation, and its potential to be a catalyst for future growth and high-tech jobs.
The Government recognises the importance of the UK’s General Aviation sector and has appointed Byron Davies to be the General Aviation Champion. This Champion will be tasked with engaging with the sector, developing a thorough understanding of the relevant issues, and championing the role that it plays in the economy and society. At the end of 2018 he will deliver a report on the value of general aviation to the economy. He will have the help of York Aviation, which we have commissioned to carry out research on airfields of strategic significance”.
Q.3. Question (131383) asked by Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) on 6th March 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to the Prime Minister’s speech of 2 March 2018 on the UK’s future economic partnership with the EU, whether the list of pan-European regulatory agencies to which the UK will be seeking long-term associate membership is limited to the European Medicines Agency, the European Chemicals Agency and the European Aviation Safety Agency”.
Robin Walker on 13th March 2018: “As the Prime Minister said in her speech in Mansion House on 2 March 2018, we will want to explore with the EU the terms on which we could remain part of EU agencies such as those that are critical for the chemicals, medicines and aerospace industries: the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). There are other agencies, such as those related to our future security partnership, that the UK may seek to remain a part of. Where there is a demonstrable national interest in pursuing a continued relationship with an agency or other EU body the Government will carefully examine whether we should pursue this. Our future relationship with the EU’s agencies will ultimately be a matter for the negotiations”.
Q.4. Question (HL6173) asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick on 7th March 2018: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to address concerns regarding the UK’s capability to secure an open skies treaty with the US”.
Baroness Sugg on 21st March 2018: “Discussions are being held with the US about new, bilateral, air services arrangements that will apply after the current EU-US Air Transport Agreement ceases to apply to the UK. Discussions have been positive and we have made significant progress. Both sides want to conclude these discussions soon. All parties have a shared interest in ensuring that existing rights will continue under the new bilateral arrangements, allowing airlines on both sides of the Atlantic to continue to operate existing services as well as to develop new ones”.
Q.5. Question (132937) asked by Steve Double (St. Austell & Newquay) on 15th March 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will list the (a) names and (b) ICAO identifiers of all current Civil Aviation Authority-licensed airfields in the UK”.
Jessie Norman on 23rd March 2018: “123 aerodromes in the United Kingdom currently have either an aerodrome certificate or license. These are set out in the table attached”.
List of Licensed Aerodromes (PDF Document, 75.61 KB)
Q.6. Question (133884) asked by Dr. Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) on 22nd March 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the aviation sector on the UK Aviation Strategy due for publication by the end of 2018”.
Jessie Norman on 29th March 2018: “The Secretary of State for Transport has had numerous discussions with representatives of the aviation sector regarding the Aviation Strategy, as have the Aviation Minister and officials in the Department for Transport”.
Q.7. Question (133829) asked by Dr. Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) on 21st March 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to consult on a new aviation strategy”.
Jessie Norman on 29th March 2018: “The Department for Transport undertook a call for evidence on the Aviation Strategy, which closed 13 October 2017. It remains the Department’s plan to consult on a new Aviation Strategy during the course of 2018. We will be publishing a Next Steps document shortly that will provide a more detailed timetable”.
Q.8. Question (133385) asked by Andy McDonald (Middlesborough) on 20th March 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of Heathrow Airport’s North West Runway scheme”.
Jessie Norman on 26th March 2018: “In 2015 Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) submitted a scheme which the Airports Commission assessed would cost £17.6 billion. Following this the Secretary of State set out his ambition for landing charges to remain close to current levels. Subsequently, the Government commissioned the regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, to oversee and report on the quality of engagement between HAL and its airline customers. This process has proved successful. HAL have reported a reduction in scheme costs by up to £2.5 billion against the scheme they submitted”.
Q.9. Question (133386) asked by Andy McDonald (Middlesborough) on 20th March 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contingency plans his Department have made to revise the National Policy Statement in the event of a change to the cost of Heathrow Airport’s North West Runway scheme”.
Jessie Norman on 26th March 2018: “The Planning Act 2008 sets out the circumstances in which any National Policy Statement should be developed, reviewed and amended. The NPS is already clear that the developer should demonstrate that its scheme is cost-efficient and sustainable, and seeks to minimise costs to airlines, passengers and freight owners over its lifetime”.
Q.10. Question (HL6357) asked by Lord Eames on 14th March 2018: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what priority they place on the maintenance of a regular air link between Northern Ireland and London; and how frequently they consult on that issue with (1) British Airways, and (2) Aer Lingus.”
Baroness Sugg on 19th March 2018: “The Government recognises that air connectivity between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK is of the utmost importance given its geographical circumstances. There were over 1.5 million passenger journeys between Belfast Airports and Gatwick and Heathrow Airports in 2016. We expect this demand to continue, given that Northern Ireland is a competitive destination in its own right.
The Government does not frequently consult with British Airways or Aer Lingus about flights between Northern Ireland and London. We believe that air passengers are best served by a commercial airline market which is able to operate in a competitive environment. This allows airlines to determine the routes that they operate, and from which airports, based on their assessment of routes’ viability. The Government is considering the issue of regional connectivity across the UK as part of developing its future aviation strategy”.
Q.11. Question (HL6453) asked by Lord Kinnock on 19th March 2018: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the statement by the Chief Executive of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to UK Transport in Europe on 5 September 2017 that the CAA was undertaking no preparatory work to assume the responsibilities of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) after Brexit because “it would be misleading to suggest that’s a viable option”, what alternatives to EASA participation they are considering”.
Baroness Sugg on 29th March 2018: “The Government and CAA have been clear that the preference is to remain a member of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). However, as a responsible regulator, the CAA continues to undertake a significant amount of preparatory work for all potential outcomes of the Brexit negotiations. This includes a scenario that would see the CAA taking on EASA’s responsibilities. If membership of EASA is not achievable, then the CAA would adopt the existing EASA regulatory system, rather than develop a new framework from scratch. This will deliver a continuity of service in safety regulation”.
National and Regional News
1st March – APPG visits Southend Airport. The APPG on General Aviation visited the Airport to meet with Stobart Aviation CE to discuss how GE can fit into Southend Airport.
1st March – East Midlands Airport is to gain over 1,000 new jobs. Plans to build a £100m air freight terminal which would create over 1,000 jobs have been given the green light.
1st March – Gatwick named Airport of the Year at the London Transport Awards. Organisers praised its £2.7bn investment programme and transformation of the North Terminal.
4th March – Shadow Chancellor says Heathrow expansion will never happen. He says it cannot meet four vital tests.
5th March – High-profile business figure to head Carlisle Airport consultative body. The airport is to launch new commercial and business flights in June – the first time since 1993.
5th March – MTR may bid to build proposed Heathrow Southern rail link. MTR CE Europe said the company was “looking closely about how to do more at Heathrow.”
6th March – Bristol Airport gets latest 4G technology. Provider will upgrade and expand its network across the airport to provide better coverage for voice and data services.
6th March – Hyperloop could move passengers between Leeds City centre and Leeds Airport. Transport Secretary said this at a Northern Powerhouse Transport Conference.
8th March – The ‘No 3rd Runway’ coalition gave oral and written evidence to the Commons Transport Committee. Says over 2million people would experience more plane noise.
8th March – Stobart is to invest £40m in Southend Airport. They are set to do this between 2018 and 2021 after its aviation division benefited from a 25 per cent increase in passengers.
8th March – There is continued growth in the use of bus and rail by Stansted Airport passengers. This was announced at its annual transport forum.
9th March – Heathrow seeks Scottish logistics hub site to help deliver new runway. Ten Scottish sites are in the running which could generate 16,000 new jobs in Scotland.
14th March – A £12m aerospace and technology college at Biggin Hill Airport is planned. The Greater London Authority (GLA) will provide major funding for the project.
14th March – MAG applies to raise passenger cap at Stansted. It was the fastest-growing MAG airport in February, coinciding with an application to increase the number of passengers the hub can serve.
15th March – Council backs calls to limit Edinburgh Airport night flights. However, it’s not proposing any limit on the growing number of night time flights between 11pm and 6am.
15th March – Newcastle Airport unveils new e-passport gates. They’re part of the new international arrival hall which will open ahead of the summer this year.
16th March – Aviation Minister visits Stansted Airport. Baroness Sugg viewed progress on the first phase of the airport’s £600 million investment programme.
17th March – Noise complaints increase at London Luton Airport. However just 20 people were behind 72% of complaints while almost half of all complaints (6,700) came from the same five residents in Harpenden, an airport spokesman said.
19th March – A video showing how an HS2 hub at Manchester Airport could look can be seen here.
19th March – Gatwick plans to trial driverless technology. It hopes to replace about 300 airside vehicles that are stationary 90% of the time, to reduce carbon emissions and costs.
20th March – Manchester Airport is scrapping free drop-off lanes. Airport bosses are attempting to relieve crippling congestion around the site.
21st March – Doncaster Robin Hood Airport says rail line would create ’73,000’ jobs. Sheffield City Region said the station would help boost passenger numbers from 1.2 million to 4.7 million each year by 2037.
22nd March – Carlisle Lake District Airport aims for 160,000 passengers over next three years. Owner says it’s poised to become a “gateway” to the Lake District, capturing a significant part of the area’s £2.72 billion a year tourist trade.
22nd March – New cost-benefit study reveals Heathrow runway could cost £2.2bn. The analysis was released today by the New Economics Foundation.
23rd March – MPs say that Heathrow expansion should not be approved without measures to protect communities. This is according the Commons Transport Select Committee.
26th March – Liverpool John Lennon Airport outlines its future strategy. It incorporates the Airport Masterplan to 2050, which sets out potential infrastructure developments required to allow it to expand.
26th March – Heathrow cargo has trialled self-driving vehicle. Over 200km of data was collected enabling IAG and Heathrow to assess all potential opportunities for the future.
27th March – London City Airport sees its busiest week ever. Last week saw over 100,000 arriving and departing passengers – the first time ever in the airport’s history.
29th March – London Stansted reveals design team for airport upgrade. This redevelopment forms part of the facility’s wider £600m transformation programme.
Other Aviation Industry News
2nd March – A short article in ‘Buying Business Travel’ on how regional airports could form a vital part of the UK’s post-Brexit strategy, can be seen here.
5th March – Airlines back UK plea for post-Brexit deal. They’ve welcomed a proposal by the prime minister to remain part of the European Aviation Safety Agency.
5th March – An article in Business Travel News titled ‘On the Soapbox’ with Glyn Jones, CEO, Stobart Aviation, speaking about airport and airspace capacity, can be seen here.
6th March – Brexit could mean UK-US Open Skies is more limited. However, those involved in negotiations said they’re confident the transatlantic market would continue unimpeded.
6th March – Comment from Yves Smith at Naked Capitalism regarding the UK-US Open Skies agreement and what may happen post-Brexit, can be seen here.
16th March – Heathrow passengers will pay more to use Crossrail’s Elizabeth Line. London Mayor and TfL announced a premium will apply to single fares to and from Heathrow.
19th March – Airbus and Heathrow celebrate ten years of the A380 programme.
20th March – A senior member of Stansted Airport team has been appointed as the new M.D. of East Midlands Airport. Karen Smart will replace Andy Cliffe next month.
22nd March – Welsh Government invests another £6million in Cardiff Airport. This is to fund improvements to the terminal.
22nd March – Takeover bid for Flybe falls through. Stobart Group that owns Southend Airport, have abandoned a bid for the airline.
25th March – First direct flight from Australia to UK touches down. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, (Qantas), arrived in London just over 17 hours after setting off from Perth.
30th March – Edinburgh Airport’s second runway closes. It’s been closed officially to make way for a major redevelopment of the airport, having fallen into disuse.
SASIG Library Additions
An updated consultation programme and summary of key milestones for SASIG can be seen here.