Editor’s Highlights
With apologies for the delay in circulating this issue of the Newsletter (a consequence of the Secretariat summer leave). Unsurprisingly, with Parliament in recess, August was a quiet month in terms of aviation policy developments. That can be expected to change dramatically in the coming months as Brexit and the Aviation Strategy Green Paper loom closer. With that in mind there are a number of dates worth noting in the diary sections.
In terms of industry news it was a busier month. Key highlights were the initiation of judicial review proceedings against the Government’s National Policy Statement and MAG’s Stansted expansion proposals, the Manston DCO, certification of Carlisle’s runway and reports on a number of prominent airspace change applications in the UK.
The September issue of the Newsletter will be issued shortly.
Monthly Highlights
1st August – PM says Britons must have their own passport lanes at airports post-Brexit. She over-rules her own Home Secretary on the issue.
Events, Meetings and Conferences
SASIG Meetings
– 16th November 2018: SASIG full meeting (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London) followed in the afternoon by a workshop on Airports, Cities and Economic Growth.
– 6th February 2019: SASIG full meeting (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London)
– 10th July 2019: SASIG full meeting (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London)
External Conferences
- 18th October 2018: Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum: The future of UK airport capacity in the South East. Central London.
- 13th November 2018: 3rd annual (2018) Transport-Led Development in the Midlands: Gowling WLG, Birmingham. Agenda includes guest speaker from Birmingham Airport talking about its long-term development and growth.
- 14th-15th November 2018: Accelerate Aviation 2018: Hilton Tower Bridge, Tooley Street, London. Defining the future of the aviation industry.
- 8th-10th April 2019: Routes Europe 2019: Hannover, Germany. The route development forum for Europe.
- 20th-22nd May 2019: ACI Europe Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition: Krakow, Poland.
Parliamentary and Government News
Both the House of Commons and House of Lords rose on 20th July and will return on 5th September.
Transport Questions: House of Commons:
There were no Transport questions in the House of Commons this month.
Transport Questions: House of Lords
There were no Transport questions in the House of Lords this month.
Parliamentary Questions:
There were no Parliamentary Questions this month.
National and Regional News
2nd August – Transport Minister visits Leeds Bradford Airport. He was meeting with local businesses and leaders to discuss the government’s transport investment strategy.
3rd August – Bournemouth Airport ‘not affected’ by air-rail link plan. Heathrow Southern Railway’s proposed new route could see trains from Woking head directly to Heathrow from the South Western Mainline which runs between London Waterloo and Weymouth.
4th August – Manchester Airport terminal expansion is on track for completion by 2020. The project aims to make Terminal 2 the airport’s primary terminal building.
6th August – Manchester Airport noise plan 2019-23 reviewed by Knutsford Town Council. Night time noise is of a particular concern.
6th August – Heathrow Hub seeks judicial review into airport expansion. Lawyers for Heathrow Hub have filed papers at the High Court in London.
7th August – Climate campaigners launch legal action against Heathrow expansion. Plan B claims Transport Secretary’s proposal breaches legal obligations in the Planning Act to alleviate the impact of climate change.
8th August – Fifth challenge launched against Heathrow expansion. Friends of the Earth became the fifth litigant to date against the £15bn project.
10th August – Campaigners opposing Stansted airport expansion claim ‘substantial grounds’ for refusal. Stop Stansted Expansion filed an application for judicial review with High Court on August 8.
13th August – Sustainable growth is the aim of new Blackpool Airport manager. He wants to build on position as a regional hub and work closely with Blackpool Borough Council.
13th August – District proposes light rail scheme to Heathrow Airport. Spelthorne BC has submitted plans to DfT for link from Staines-upon-Thames to airport.
14th August – Public shows support for continued expansion at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Early results of the recent consultation show overwhelming support for the development plans.
14th August – Planning Inspectorate could decide next step for Manston Airport. It’s considering if bid by RiverOak Strategic Partners for a DCO should be allowed to proceed.
14th August – Stansted Airport plans £600 million revamp over next 5 years. There’ll be a new arrivals terminal, a re-vamp of existing terminal, upgraded baggage system and more car parking spaces.
18th August – Stansted Airport opens consultation on noise action plan. The consultation will continue through 2018 with a range of stakeholders who have an interest in the airport.
20th August – Link road for Durham Tees Valley Airport to go before planners again. A refresh of the initial proposal has been submitted.
20th August – New pier and car park to be opened at Manchester Airport next year. The new car park will have space for 3,800 vehicles.
23rd August – New aviation college planned at Biggin Hill Airport. It’s a partnership between London South East Colleges, Biggin Hill Airport and the Greater London Authority.
23rd August – London’s airports handle 44 million more passengers than in 2010. This is an increase in annual traffic through London’s leading commercial airports of 35%.
24th August – Dft is looking into case for train station at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The airport station bid is up against various other applications from across the country.
28th August – Bristol Airport is asking for noise feedback. It’s seeking feedback to control noise levels at the site for the next five years.
28th August – Carlisle Airport opened its runway. The CAA gave special approval to operate the 1,799m 30m wide runway within the stated operational procedures.
28th August – Work begins on Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. This marks the initial stage of the planning application process for the new eastern access road.
29th August – Stansted Airport releases design of new arrivals terminal. It is scheduled to open in 2020.
29th August – Ryanair is to invest £200 million in Luton Airport. It is basing another two aircraft there and adding six new routes from Luton.
29th August – An article in City Metric titled “An official and objective ranking of the airports of northern England” can be read here.
30th August – Upgrade work near Stansted Airport will last for two years. Work to improve access and reduce congestion at Jct 8 of M11 near the airport will commence this winter.
30th August – Bristol Airport plans to expand to accommodate 20 million passengers per year by the 2040’s. Airport owners are preparing to submit initial plans to local authority.
30th August – An article in the Gazette outlining an idea of what is needed for a successful Blackpool Airport can be seen here
Other Aviation Industry News
1st August – Waterford Airport in Ireland applies to councils for permission to extend runway. The current runway does not allow for jet aircraft to land there.
1st August – PM says Britons must have their own passport lanes at airports post-Brexit. She over-rules her own Home Secretary on the issue.
2nd August – Noise insulation plans for community near Glasgow Airport likely to happen. But campaigners want night flights stopped and more streets covered by the plan.
4th August – Edinburgh Airport resubmits plans for flight path changes. The plans will be considered by the CAA.
7th August – Survey gives ‘thumbs down’ to Inverness Airport name change. Of more than 900 people who responded to the poll, 88% were against it, with just 112 people in favour.
9th August – An article in ‘Airport Technology’ titled ‘Sounding off about aircraft noise’ can be seen here.
13th August – Dublin Airport opens €16 million hub. The transfer facility has opened close to Terminal 2 and will cater specifically for passengers connecting between flights.
14th August – An article in ‘Airport World’ titled ‘Location, location, location’ about how Geographic information system technology can help airports better manage and operate the airport site, improve safety and boost the bottom line, can be seen here.
22nd August – Survey claims 68% of UK passengers would welcome AI at airports. Results are from an online YouGov poll commissioned by inflight entertainment company Spafax.
24th August – A survey commissioned by the CAA looks at what people really want from air travel. The CAA survey itself, published this month, can be seen here.
25th August – An interview in the Scottish Sunday Herald with Derek Provan, CE of AGS Airports which owns Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, can be seen here.
31st August – More than £4 million is to be invested in aerospace centre at Prestwick Airport. Innovation will focus on development of the next generation of aircraft.
SASIG Library Additions
A future inquiry and consultation programme can be seen here