SASIG February Newsletter

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SASIG Newsletter – February 2019

Editor’s Highlights

With the Green Paper published and the consultation process on a long slow burn, DfT’s policy focus switched significantly to Brexit in February.

This meant putting in place minimum fall-back provisions in the event of a no deal scenario, so that the same number of 3rd and 4th freedom flights between the UK and EU as previously will be allowed to continue, but 5th, 7th and 9th Freedom flights will not be allowed, restrictions which brought with them casualties such as Bmi Regional and Blue Air, both of whom relied heavily on such flights in their networks. Fortunately, the sale of Flybe to a consortium including Virgin was completed, saving the former’s invaluable regional network.

It is clear that across DfT resources are being diverted to ‘no-deal’ planning, and other work is suffering as a consequence. This resource prioritisation eventually reached aviation when a revised end date for the Green Paper consultation leaked out – it is now 20 June rather than 11 April, although the closing deadline for the airspace management aspects remain unchanged.

SASIG is taking advantage of this extended timescale by seeking meetings with DfT officials, to sound out members on the agenda the Chairman is speaking to at an industry conference in April, and by approaching the LGA to secure their broader support.

Chris Cain

Head of SASIG Secretariat

Monthly Highlights

20th February– Drone ‘no-fly zone’ around UK airports to be extended to 5km.  New rules from the Government and the CAA come into force on 13th March.

22nd February– UK-EU flights ‘to continue’ even with no-deal Brexit.Aviation Minister says EU’s proposed regulation on air connectivity has provisionally been agreed for after UK exit.

Events, Meetings and Conferences

SASIG Meetings

  • 10th July 2019:SASIG full meeting/AGM (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London)
  • 7th November 2019:SASIG full meeting (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London)

External Conferences

Parliamentary and Government News

Transport Questions:  House of Commons:

  • 14th February – Heathrow: Regional Connections

The question was asked as to what level of direct and indirect public funding will be required to support new regional connections with Heathrow airport. Details on this short debate can be seen here.

Transport Questions:  House of Lords

  • 12th February – Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
    The Aviation Minister moved that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 28th November 2018 be approved. Further details may be seen here.
  • 12th February – Air Services (Competition) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
    The Aviation Minister moved that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 5th December 2018 be approved. Further details may be seen here.
  • 12th February – Airports Slot Allocation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
    The Aviation Minister moved that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 10th December 2018 be approved. Further details may be seen here.
  • 25th February – Air Traffic Management (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
    A debate following the motion that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 28th January 2019 be approved can be seen here.
  • 25th February – Aviation Security (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
    A debate following the motion that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 31st January 2019 be approved can be seen here.

Parliamentary Questions: 

Q.1. Question (217490) asked by Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) on 6th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will hold discussions with HeathrowAirportManagement on providing Government support for the development of regional logistic hubs in Northern Ireland”

A. Jesse Norman on 11th February 2019: “The Government is supportive of Heathrow’s initiative to create and drive employment opportunities through the development of logistic hubs, subject to Heathrow receiving the relevant DCO. Heathrow are in the process of assessing and shortlisting potential sites across the UK (therefore including N.Ireland); to be announced spring 2019. The Government supports and encourages the owners of potential hub sites to proactively engage with Heathrow in the interest of maximising the benefits of expansion through this initiative”.

Q.2. Question (217633) asked by Christian Matheson (City of Chester) on 6th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what meetings his Department has had with counterparts in the Department for Transport on the forthcoming aviationstrategy”.

A. Richard Harrington on 11th February 2019: “The Department held extensive discussions with the Department for Transport prior to the release of the Aviation 2050 consultation paper. Officials remain closely engaged, including with industry through the Aerospace Growth Partnership, the joint government and industry sector council, as the consultation process continues”.

Q.3. Question (217069) asked by Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) on 5th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the report entitled, Way to go: improving public transport access to London’s airports, published by London Travel Watch on 18 January 2019, what estimate he has made of the number of people using public transport to reach London airports.

A. Jesse Norman on 13th February 2019: “The proportion of air passengers using public transport to reach London airports can be estimated from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Departing Passenger Survey, which includes questions on a passenger’s mode of transport to the airport. Estimates using this data suggest that, in 2017, 56.4m passengers used public transport to travel to and from London airports. The Department for Transport expects airport operators to establish targets that increase public transport usage as part of their Surface Access Strategies. The Aviation Strategy 2050 consultation paper proposes a range of measures that aim to support airports in achieving their mode share ambitions, including uprating Airport Transport Forums so that local and central Government, airports, and transport providers have the opportunity to contribute appropriately to the delivery and monitoring of airports mode share and environmental targets”.

Q.4. Question (218813) asked by Seema Malhotra (Feltham & Heston) on 5th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2019 to Written Question 207580 on HeathrowAirport: Railways, how much funding has been allocated for the next stage of development for a Southern Rail Access to Heathrow”.

A. Andrew Jones on 13th February 2019: “In line with the recommendations of the recently published Market Sounding Report on Southern Rail Link to Heathrow, Government is now working to further develop and clarify the outcomes we want to be delivered from this project and consider appropriate commercial models. This work is being done as quickly as possible, following which we intend to set out further engagement opportunities to all interested parties. This work is being funded from within current Departmental resource budgets”.

Q.5. Question (218814) asked by Seema Malhotra (Feltham & Heston) on 5th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 January 2019 to Written Question 207579 on HeathrowAirport: Railways, what plans the Government has for undertaking a Grip 1-2 study of a Southern Rail Access to Heathrow”.

A. Andrew Jones on 13th February 2019: “The Government remains committed to significant involvement by the market in designing and constructing a Southern Rail link to Heathrow. The Market Sounding Findings Report published in December 2018 recommended that Government now needs to further clarify the outcomes we want to be delivered from this project and consider appropriate commercial models for the market to take forward the development of potential solutions. This work is being done as quickly as possible following which we intend to set out further engagement opportunities to all interested parties”.

Q.6. Question (220068) asked by Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) on 12th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps his Department has taken to prepare small and medium-sized airports for the effects of the UK leaving the EU without a deal”.

A. Chris Grayling on 18th February 2019: “The Department’s aviation technical notices and the European Commission’s published plans for aviation contingency preparations, including proposed Regulations, clearly demonstrate that, in the event of no deal, both sides are committed to maintaining connectivity. The Department has and will continue to engage with colleagues across Government and stakeholders from across the aviation industry to help them prepare for EU Exit”.

Q.7. Question (220248) asked by Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) on 12th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions has he had with Heathrow AirportLimited on that company’s contribution towards the funding of Crossrail”.

A. Andrew Jones on 20th February 2019: “DfT is working with Heathrow Airport Limited and Transport for London to finalise the arrangements to enable the payment of the £70m Heathrow contribution towards the project. Crossrail Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Transport for London”.

Q.8. Question (220723) asked by Harriet Harman (Camberwell & Peckham) on 13th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to reduce the noise nuisance from planes flying over South East London to or from (a) Heathrowand (b) London City Airport”.

A. Jesse Norman on 18th February 2019: “The Government’s airspace modernisation framework will allow the industry to deliver airspace changes that will make journeys quicker, quieter and cleaner. The Government has secured international agreements that incentivise the development of quieter aircraft and there are several new types of aircraft now coming into service that will be significantly quieter than their predecessors. The Government is currently consulting on a number of sustainable growth proposals within a new aviationstrategy, including considering setting targets for noise reduction, and how best to monitor and report aviationnoise at a national level. In relation to Heathrow, in 2017 the Government renewed the airport’s night flight restrictions, maintaining the number of movements but significantly reducing the amount of noise an airportis allowed to make”.

Q.9. Question (220912) asked by Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) on 19th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he made of the potential financial effect on local authorities who may be required to subsidise Public Service Obligation routes into Heathrow”.

A. Jesse Norman on 22nd February 2019: (Grouped answer with Qs. 220913/14)“The Airports National Policy Statement sets out an expectation that Heathrow will work with airlines to deliver at least 14 domestic routes. The Government expects these new domestic routes from an expanded Heathrow to be commercially viable with incentives offered by the airportoperator. The Aviation2050 consultation is also seeking views on reserving slots for domestic connections, which would not require public funding. If commercial incentives and slot reservations do not deliver on our expectations, then the Government may consider imposing Public Service Obligations.

The Government expects that significant direct financial support for PSOs into Heathrow following expansion is unlikely to be required, due to the commercial incentives in place for airlines to run routes into the UK’s primary hub airport. If an application for a PSO did require Government or local authority subsidy, this would then be considered as part of our evaluation”.

Q.10. Question (220913) asked by Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) on 13th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with local authorities on their ability to provide subsidies for (a) additional and (b) future flight connections into Heathrow”. (Grouped answer with Qs. 220912/14)

Q.11. Question (220914) asked by Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) on 13th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the number of regional connections into Heathrow that will require (a) direct and (b) indirect funding contributions”. (Grouped answer with Qs. 220912/13)

Q.12. Question (220915) asked by Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) on 13th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on (a) noise (b) air pollution and (c) local road congestion of the proposed 25,000 additional flights at Heathrow from 2022”.

A. Jesse Norman on 22nd February 2019: “Heathrow’s proposed ‘early lifting of the air traffic movement (ATM) cap’ is not Government policy. Any such proposal would require planning permission and would need to form part of an applicant’s development consent application. As part of that process, the Examining Authority would need to be satisfied that all impacts were assessed fully, including a comprehensive environmental assessment, and that any required mitigations were sufficient; and it would be required to determine the appropriate enforcement regime to enact the mitigations”.

Q.13. Question (220916) asked by Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) on 13th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with (a) Heathrow Airport, (b) the Civil AviationAuthority and (c) the Planning Inspectorate on the proposal to increase the Air Traffic Movement cap at Heathrow Airport”.

A. Jesse Norman on 22nd February 2019:(Grouped answer with Q. 220917)“Heathrow AirportLimited has informed the Department of its proposals for an additional 25,000 aircraft traffic movements a year, and the Department’s understanding is that this will form part of a phased introduction of new capacity while the third runway is being built. Any request to increase its current planning cap would be subject to public consultation and the planning process and, as set out in the Airports National Policy Statement, it would need to include a suitable package of mitigations. The Secretary of State has had no conversations with the Civil AviationAuthority or the Planning Inspectorate on these proposals, but the Civil AviationAuthority will need to consider any such proposals from Heathrow AirportLimited, including with regard to safety, as a statutory consultee in the planning process. This would build on the Civil AviationAuthority’s initial safety review of Heathrow AirportLimited’s proposals before the publication of the Airports Commission’s Final Report, which found no material grounds for concern”.

Q.14. Question (220917) asked by Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) on 13th February 2019: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the safety implications of the introduction of an additional 25,000 flights per year at Heathrow”.

(Grouped answer with Q. 220916)

 National and Regional News

 1st February – Campaigners oppose Luton Airport’s plan to expand. They fear expansion will have a negative impact on the local environment and countryside.

1st February– UK’s first all-electric airport shuttle begins at Stansted Airport. The aim is to take all cars off airport roads and replace them with zero emission shuttles.

5th February – An article in Business Cornwall about the continued success of Cornwall Newquay Airport can be seen here.

5th February– New leadership is announced for Biggin Hill Airport. The current MD will step down at the end of March and a new CE will take over.

7th February– Birmingham Airport awarded grant for electric bus. The funding will support electrification of the landside bus fleet with ultra-low emission buses operating as a passenger transport service on all of the Airport car park routes.

10th February– A report on Teesside Live on what villagers living near Durham Tees Valley Airport think about the buyout and what it is like living near an airport can be seen here.

11th February– Construction set to start on major Manchester Airport City development. It could start next month after approval was given for the scheme.

12th February– A public meeting was held in Chiswick to discuss Heathrow expansion and the consultation on flight paths.  Further details may be seen here.

12th February–Bristol Airport backs the proposed M4 Relief Road in south Wales. It said it would help improve ties between south Wales and the south-west of England.

14th February– Bristol Airport will fund noise insulation for local residents.It’s offering £1.8m as part of a noise insulation scheme planned for homes in the surrounding area.

15th February– East Midlands Airport submits planning application to expand arrivals hall. The new hall would have the capacity to house five more e-gates.

15th February– Council ‘regretfully’ drops backing for Gatwick expansion.Runnymede BC has accepted the Government’s decision on Heathrow expansion and will support it.

18th February– New images released in latest rail/road planning for Leeds Bradford Airport.Maps and videos are also available as public consultation and engagement process begins.
19th February– Double red lines put down outside Leeds Bradford Airport.  This is to prevent unauthorised stopping.

21st February– Cornwall Airport Newquay is to offer flights to the Channel Islands. Flights to Jersey and Guernsey will operate three times a week throughout the summer season.

22nd February– Luton Airport is planning a second terminal. It hopes the proposed expansion of the airport will see passenger numbers rise from 18million to 32million a year.

25th February– IAG urge CAA to cut Heathrow passenger charges.The request comes after Heathrow paid another £500m in dividends to the airport’s foreign investors.

26th February– Heathrow agrees to cut passenger charges. It says it’s reached agreement with its airlines to potentially reduce these charges if they deliver higher load factors.

28th February–Isles of Scilly Steamship helicopter service to end. The operation from Land’s End Airport to St Mary’s will not resume in April as planned owing to lack of demand.

Other Aviation Industry News

 4th February – NATS is trialling the use AI at Heathrow to see if this could reduce delays. The aim is to improve the airport’s landing capacity in low visibility and improve punctuality.

4th February – There’s anger at decision to scrap Glasgow Airport rail link. Plans were discarded to make way for an alternative shuttle pod system.

7th February– Welsh Affairs Committee to visit Cardiff Airport re: APD inquiry.They’llconsider arguments for and against as well as seeing how the airport is preparing for Brexit.

11th February– There is a strong start for airports in 2019. Heathrow and MAG airports all report increase in passenger numbers from this time last year.

11th February– Dublin Airport launches initiative to improve traffic flows. It’s launched the initiative with the Irish Aviation Authority in a bid to reduce delays and improve traffic flows.

11th February– An article in ‘New Electronics’ titled: ‘Securing our airports’ focusing on problems such as the economic impact caused by unauthorised drones can be seen here.

11th February– Scottish airports fear impacts from no-deal Brexit. AGS Airports who own Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports says up to 10% of flights could be affected.

13th February– An article in the Irish Examiner on Dublin Airport expansion and how Cork and Shannon Airports are worth being granted funding for expansion too can be seen here.

14th February– Work begins on new north runway at Dublin Airport. The runway is seen as essential to the ongoing growth of passenger numbers at the airport.

14th February– Airbus says it will end production of the A380. This is due to a decrease in sales demand and will potentially put many UK jobs at risk.

15th February– An article in ‘This is Money’ on UK airport drop-off charges can be seen here.

19th February– London TravelWatch publishes survey aimed at understanding the experiences of passengers using London airports including comparing their experiences when using other UK airports.  Further details and access to the survey can be seen here.

19th February– Edinburgh Airport will launch ‘drop and go’ service. The airport says this will add 5,000 spaces by 2021.

20th February– Drone ‘no-fly zone’ around UK airports to be extended to 5km.  New rules from the Government and the CAA come into force on 13th March.

21st February– New innovative parking service is coming to Edinburgh Airport.  Usingthe latest technology it will aim to use parking space more efficiently.

22nd February– UK-EU flights ‘to continue’ even with no-deal Brexit.Aviation Minister says EU’s proposed regulation on air connectivity has provisionally been agreed for after UK exit.

22nd February– Flybe completes cut-price sale to Virgin. It’s completed its controversial sale to a consortium led by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic for 1p per share.
23rd February– New report claims Manston freight Airport would be ‘unviable’. The analysis has been published by the current owners who do not want it used for freight.

23rd February–Cash is given to some councils to help with Brexit impact across the regions’ ports and airports. Councils in Essex and Suffolk will benefit.
25th February – Survey of UK’s most delayed airports is published. For further information please see here.

28th February –BA owner’s profits continue to rise despite currency fears. They also re-iterate they are not too concerned with the impacts resulting from Brexit.
28th February– Automated passport checks double passenger happiness. Report titled ‘SITA 2019 Passenger IT Insights’ said 44% passengers used automated passport control in 2018, up from 21% in 2017.

SASIG Library Additions

On 25th October last year, SASIG Chairman Cllr Keith Artus attended the first meeting of the Airspace Strategy Board as the Group’s representative.  Information and relevant documents from this meeting can be seen here.

At the SASIG full members’ meeting held on 6th February 2019 guest speaker was Kamal Panchal, Senior Policy Lead at LGA on local growth and transport. His presentation can be seen here.

Notes and a summary from the ‘Aviation 2050’ workshop which was held following the main SASIG meeting on the 6th February 2019 can be seen here.

A future inquiry and consultation programme can be seen here.