Editor’s Highlights
The New year brought a flurry of parliamentary activity related to aviation. First in response to the threat to Flybe – with a survival deal being agreed with the Government (to include a consultation reviewing APD), accompanied by a Regional Aviation Review. Then second, later in the month in the form of the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill getting its first and second readings, the Manston DCO decision being delayed and reversion back to the Climate Change agenda and aviation’s role in it.
The month also saw two major airport applications refused planning permission – first at Stansted and then Bristol, in both cases with strong external pressures from local groups and Extinction rebellion. Then towards its close, the publication of Sustainable Aviation’s industry route map to zero carbon.
Monthly Highlights
7th January – Heathrow announces the date of the public consultation for finalising its proposals for expansion.
14th January – Flybe secures last minute survival deal.
15th January – Secretary of State announces Review on Regional Connectivity.
31st January – Brexit day.
Events, Meetings and Conferences
SASIG Meetings
- 26th February 2020: 11am-1pm: SASIG full meeting (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London)
- 17th July 2020: 11am-1pm: SASIG full meeting (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London)
- 19th November 2020: 11am-1pm: SASIG full meeting (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London)
External Conferences
- 25th-26th March 2020: British Tourism & Travel Show: NEC, Birmingham.
- 27th-29th April 2020: Routes Europe: Bergen, Norway.
- 9th-10th June: British-Irish Airports EXPO: New venue will be ExCel, London.
- 11th-13th June 2020: AeroExpo UK: The UK’s festival of aviation. Wycombe Air Park.
Parliamentary and Government News
The House of Lords rose on 19th December 2019 and returned on 7th January 2020.
The House of Commons rose on 20th December 2019 and also returned on 7th January 2019.
Transport Questions: House of Commons:
14th January – Flybe
A question was asked about what support has been made available to Flybe, its passengers, and the regional airports that facilitate many of its routes and whether the Secretary of State would make a statement. The answer and details of the subsequent contributions can be seen here.
15th January – Regional Connectivity
A statement by the Secretary of State for Transport on a forthcoming review which is to take place on regional connectivity can be seen here.
15th January – A Green Industrial Revolution
A large debate took place covering many aspects of climate change and meeting carbon emission level requirements. It contained a small number of references to aviation including the recent problems with Flybe. The debate can be read here.
16th January – Manston Airport
A written ministerial statement by Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Transport Nusrat Ghani on the extension of time for the SoS to consider the DCO application for Manston Airport may be seen here.
Transport Questions: House of Lords
9th January – Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill.
The Bill was introduced by Baroness Vere of Norbiton, read a first time and ordered to be printed.
14th January – Flybe
Following a question asked in the Commons about what support has been made available to Flybe, its passengers, and the regional airports that facilitate many of its routes, the statement issued by the Under Secretary for Transport was repeated in the Lords; see here.
16th January – Climate Change: COP26 and Civil Society
A question was asked of Government about what plans they have to engage civil society in climate change issues ahead of COP26, to be held in Glasgow in November 2020. Aviation was referenced and the debate can be seen here.
27th January – Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill.
The bill was read for a second time and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
Parliamentary Questions:
Q.1. Question (1658) asked by Sir David Amess (Southend West) on 9 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations he has received on (a) noise pollution and (b) emissions from aircraft at Southend Airport”.
A. Paul Maynard on 14 January 2020: “Since the Secretary of State was appointed in July last year, the Department has received one representation related to noise pollution or emissions from aircraft at Southend Airport. This included the topics of night flights and air quality at Southend Airport and came from my Honourable friend himself”.
Q.2. Question (1659) asked by Sir David Amess (Southend West) on 9 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations he has received on (a) noise pollution and (b) emissions from aircraft at Southend Airport”.
A. Paul Maynard on 14 January 2020: “Since the Secretary of State was appointed in July last year, the Department has received one representation related to noise pollution or emissions from aircraft at Southend Airport. This included the topics of night flights and air quality at Southend Airport and came from my Honourable friend himself”.
Q.3. Question (1660) asked by Sir David Amess (Southend West) on 9 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of restrictions on aircraft (a) noise and (b) emissions at Southend Airport”.
A. Paul Maynard on 14 January 2020: “The management of aircraft noise and emissions at Southend Airport and restrictions to ensure compliance with any limits is the responsibility of the airport and the relevant planning authorities. It is not appropriate for the Government to intervene in this process”.
Q.4. Question (1661) asked by Sir David Amess (Southend West) on 9 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, under what criteria the Section 106 agreement at Southend Airport could be amended”.
A. Esther McVey on 17 January 2020: “A section 106 agreement is a legal agreement between a local planning authority and a person with an interest in the land. Section 106 planning obligations are entered into to mitigate the impact of otherwise unacceptable development. As in the case of the section 106 agreement for Southend Airport, section 106 planning obligations can be modified or discharged with the agreement of parties to the section 106 agreement (the local planning authority and the current landowner). Where no agreement to modify or discharge a planning obligation can be reached, and the planning obligation is over five years old, the landowner can apply to the local planning authority to modify or discharge the obligation (under section 106A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990). This could be to discharge it where it no longer serves a useful purpose, or to modify it if it would continue to serve a useful purpose equally well in a modified way. If, following an application under section 106A, a local planning authority refuses to discharge or modify a planning obligation there is a right of appeal against that decision (under section 106B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990). Such an appeal must be made to the Planning Inspectorate within 6 months of the date of the refusal by the local planning authority”.
Q.5. Question (HL264) asked by Baroness Moulsecoomb on 9 January 2020: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on airport expansion”.
A. Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 20 January 2020: “The Airports National Policy Statement was designated as government policy in June 2018 following a vote in the House of Commons. It sets out that there is a need to increase airport capacity in the South East of England by 2030 by constructing one new runway and that this need is best met by the Northwest runway scheme at Heathrow Airport. The Northwest runway scheme is to be fully funded and delivered by the private sector. It is for Heathrow to demonstrate that it can meet its environmental obligations, that the project can be financed and built and that the business case is realistic. Beyond Heathrow, the Government is supportive of airports across the UK making best use of their existing runways as long as they address the economic and environmental impacts and proposed mitigations. As part of the planning process for airport applications it is expected that the relevant planning body will scrutinise whether a scheme is in-line with government policy”.
Q.6. Question (2456) asked by Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) on 13 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the surface land transport upgrades which are necessary to facilitate a new runway at Heathrow Airport”.
A. Paul Maynard on 21 January 2020: “The Airports National Policy Statement sets out that it is for an applicant to demonstrate how it will improve surface access and mitigate the impacts of expansion at Heathrow. The expansion of Heathrow Airport will be fully funded and delivered by the private sector. Where there are significant non-airport public user benefits from changes and enhancements to surface transport infrastructure and services, the Government has made clear it would consider making a funding contribution to reflect these”.
Q.7. Question (2457) asked by Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) on 13 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Airport Commission’s final report on airport capacity, published in 2015, what recent estimate he has made of demand for airport capacity”.
A. Paul Maynard on 21 January 2020: “The Department published detailed forecasts of aviation demand in 2017, which is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-aviation-forecasts-2017 and carried out further analysis of aviation demand in 2018 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/714069/making-best-use-of-existing-runways.pdf
In addition, the Department has been carrying out further analysis to support ongoing policy development, which will be published in due course”.
Q.8. Question (1901) asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) on 10 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will amend the Airports National Policy Statement to include any change in the evidence base that supports expansion at Heathrow Airport”.
A. Paul Maynard on 20 January 2020: “The Airports National Policy Statement was designated, following a vote in the House of Commons, in accordance with the Planning Act 2008 (the Act). The Act recognises that once a national policy statement has been designated, there may be a change in circumstances on the basis of which the policy was decided. Section 6 of the Act imposes a duty on the Secretary of State to review each national policy statement whenever they think it appropriate to do so. Under the Act, in considering whether or not to review a national policy statement the Secretary of State must consider: 1) whether there has been a ‘significant change’ in any circumstances on the basis of which any of the policy set out in the national policy statement was decided; 2) whether this change was not anticipated; and, 3) whether the policy would have been materially different if that change had been anticipated (“section 6 considerations”). After review, a Secretary of State must either: 1) amend, 2) withdraw, or 3) leave the national policy statement as it is. Ultimately, the decision on when, if ever, to review is a matter of judgement for the Secretary of State, who will consider any changes in the evidence base as part of the section 6 considerations”.
Q.9. Question (1902) asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) on 10 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise’s report entitled Review of the Survey of Noise Attitudes 2014, published in 2019, if he will make an assessment of the potential effects on levels of aircraft noise of a third runway at Heathrow”.
A. Paul Maynard on 20 January 2020: “Expansion at Heathrow is conditional on the implementation of a robust set of noise mitigations. These requirements are set out in the Airports National Policy Statement, which was designated following a vote in the House of Commons and include: minimising noise impacts so they are no greater than 2013 levels, a noise envelope, more predictable periods of respite and an expected ban of 6.5 hours on scheduled night flights. It is now for an applicant for development consent to demonstrate to the Planning Inspectorate, with input from statutory consultees, that it can meet these requirements through a detailed assessment of all environmental impacts of their scheme, including demonstrating that noise mitigation measures will be effective. The government continues to keep evidence on noise impacts under review through its expert group, the Interdepartmental Group on Costs and Benefits of Noise (IGCB(N)), and will consider carefully any recommendations from this process”.
Q.10. Question (1903) asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) on 10 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the total cost of the (a) road and (b) rail improvements required as a result of the expansion of Heathrow Airport”.
A. Paul Maynard on 20 January 2020: “The Airports National Policy Statement sets out that it is for an applicant to demonstrate how it will improve surface access and mitigate the impacts of expansion at Heathrow. The expansion of Heathrow Airport will be fully funded and delivered by the private sector. The proposed western rail link and southern access schemes to Heathrow are separate projects, which are subject to their own business cases. Where there are significant non-airport public user benefits from changes and enhancements to the infrastructure and services, the Government has made clear it would consider making a funding contribution to reflect these”.
Q.11. Question (1906) asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) on 14 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to assess the effect of the three year delay to Heathrow‘s third runway on the economic benefits of that scheme”.
A. Paul Maynard on 20 January 2020: “The Airports National Policy Statement sets out that there is a need to increase airport capacity in the South East of England by 2030 by constructing one new runway and that this need is best met by the Northwest Runway scheme at Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) have confirmed that they intend to submit an application for development consent in 2020 which, if approved by the Secretary of State, following a report from the Planning Inspectorate, would allow for the construction and the opening of a third runway between early 2028 and late 2029. Given that the delivery of any major infrastructure scheme is subject to uncertainty, prior to the designation of the Airports National Policy Statement, the Department for Transport undertook scenario and sensitivity testing which included an assessment of the impacts of a two-year delay on the delivery of the three schemes shortlisted by the Airports Commission, this was from 2025 in the case of Gatwick Airport and 2026 in the case of the two Heathrow schemes. The case for the Northwest Runway was not materially changed by such a delay. Furthermore, such a delay would serve to similarly reduce the schemes’ disbenefits, partially offsetting the reduction in direct economic benefits”.
Q.12. Question (HL440) asked by Lord Berkeley on 15 January 2020: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that Flybe flights between Newquay and London which are operated under a public service obligation are maintained in the event of Flybe ceasing operations”.
A. Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 28 January 2020: “The Government recognises the important role that Flybe plays in the UK’s connectivity by flying many of the regional routes that other providers do not operate. Flybe has now confirmed that they will continue to operate as normal, preserving flights to airports such as Southampton, Belfast and Birmingham, as well as the Newquay to London public service obligation”.
Q.13. Question (6762) asked by Rupa Huq (Ealing Central & Acton) on 22 January 2020: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the environmental effect of the Government’s decision to reduce airline duty across the aviation industry”.
A. Simon Clarke on 28 January 2020: “As announced on 14 January, HM Treasury is undertaking a review of Air Passenger Duty to ensure regional connectivity is strengthened while meeting the UK’s climate change commitments to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The government takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and uses a range of levers at its disposal, including spending, taxation and regulatory policy, to meet its climate and environmental objectives”.
Q.14. Question (7590) asked by Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) on 24 January 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the planned expansion of UK airports is compatible with the Government’s policy on CO2 reduction”.
A. Paul Maynard on 29 January 2020: “The Government recognises that the fight against climate change is the greatest and most pressing challenge facing the modern world. The Government is committed to setting a clear ambition for the aviation sector and is carefully considering the advice of the Committee on Climate Change. We are planning to consult shortly on an update to the Government’s position on aviation and climate change. It is critical that we consider how aviation can play its part in delivering our net zero ambitions, in order that the aviation sector can continue to thrive. The Airports National Policy Statement guarantees that any new runway at Heathrow will only be built if an applicant for development consent can demonstrate that any increase in carbon emissions from the scheme will not materially impact the government’s ability to meet its carbon reduction targets, now and in the future. The Government is also supportive of airports making best use of their existing capacity, subject to the assessment of the merits of individual applications, including consideration of their environmental impacts. The government set out its policy position for the South East of England in Beyond the Horizon: The future of UK aviation: Making best use of existing runways”.
National and Regional News
1st January – Campaigners Extinction Rebellion held a protest against Bristol Airport expansion. Further details may be seen here.
6th January – Heathrow wants an additional £1.5billion for rail links. It has outlined alternate expansion plan delivery schedules and costs.
6th January – New calls to curb Gatwick Airport expansion. Campaigners against the expansion are appealing to newly elected MPs to help curb the airport’s growth plans.
7th January – University of Southampton experts speak out on Southampton Airport runway expansion. They have spoken out about their shock at its ‘negative impacts’.
7th January – Heathrow announces public consultation to finalise proposals for their expansion. Their press release may be seen here.
8th January – Bristol Airport to offset passenger road journeys. It’s announced it will offset all passenger journeys to and from the airport by road as part of its Carbon Roadmap.
8th January – St Albans climate activists condemn airport expansion after Luton is found to have poorest air quality in UK. This is according to a report from Air Quality News.
8th January – Heathrow third runway opening pushed back to 2028/29. The news came as Heathrow confirmed it would submit its planning application towards the end of this year.
9th January – Prime Minister faces ‘crunch’ time over Heathrow 3rd runway. Transport Secretary to make decision in autumn on whether to grant a Development Consent Order.
10th January – London Stansted Airport outlines £35m investment. This investment would take place over the next eight years.
10th January – London City Airport, which served around five million passengers last year, has reported that 2019 was its busiest year to date. Further details can be seen here.
11th January – MP Sir David Amess presses ministers over Southend Airport. He has tabled a series of questions in Parliament quizzing ministers after complaints from residents.
11th January – An article in My London explaining why Heathrow is ‘closed’ for most of the night time period can be seen here.
13th January – Heathrow unveils delivery plans for next ten years. It has reported a strong end to what it calls a ‘transformational’ decade for the airport.
14th January – CAA is testing Manchester Airport to see what market power it holds. If the Market Power Determination test is met, the airport will have to pay a regulation licence.
14th January – Heathrow deploys counter drone system to combat rogue UAVs. The system is also able to identify the location of the drone pilots themselves.
15th January – Leeds Bradford Airport plan new terminal. It wants to replace existing terminal building with a state-of-the-art facility that will cost as much as £150m and be based on the airport’s current boundary.
15th January – Bournemouth Airport joins calls for cheaper flights. Wants tax cut on passenger flights between UK airports.
16th January – Manston Airport planning decision deadline extended. A Written Ministerial Statement regarding this can be seen here.
16th January – Cornwall loses its air link to Heathrow. From March the Flybe flights will revert back to Gatwick.
18th January – Teesside Airport bosses in ‘detailed’ talks with more than one airline over regional connection. They hope to announce something in the next few months.
18th January – Aviation study launched as Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone enters key planning year. Planning permission for the next phase is due to be submitted in February.
20th January – Aviation minister visits Liverpool John Lennon Airport to launch UK tour of regional airports. DfT seeks views of local airports on regional connectivity.
20th January – MP claims Southampton and Belfast Airports could close if Flybe collapsed. Both airports have denied this.
22nd January – Newcastle Airport plans to be Net Zero within 15 years. It’s brought forward its target date to align with the end date of its Masterplan and its centenary in 2035.
23rd January – An article about why it is important to travel from Norwich Airport (rather than just using road and rail) thus ensuring aviation regional connectivity can be seen here.
23rd January – Birmingham Airport and Midlands Connect sign new deal. They will work closely together to improve access from across the region and beyond.
23rd January – Stansted boss writes to residents ahead of planning meeting on growth. He says the application would be “in the best interests of the community”.
24th January – Leeds Bradford Airport wants night-time restrictions relaxed. It wants to operate more flights and attract new airlines.
24th January – Work has started on a new departure lounge at Birmingham Airport. Improvements will also bring 11 additional aircraft stands and better public transport links.
24th January – An article by the Chairman of Leeds Bradford Airport outlining how he believes expansion will benefit Yorkshire and the Northern Powerhouse can be seen here.
27th January – Southampton Airport expansion plans to be discussed this week. A final decision on the plans will be made by Eastleigh Borough Council.
27th January – Stansted expansion plans grounded. Council halted application at an extraordinary meeting last week.
27th January – Gatwick plans for more passengers within 12 years criticised. Campaigners claim the airport’s growth plan has no restrictions and has not been properly consulted on.
29th January – City Council objects to Southampton Airport expansion plans. They say the plans would “exacerbate the climate crisis”.
29th January – Campaigners plead against Bristol Airport expansion. They want council to reject plans as the deadline for public comments draws near.
30th January – Doncaster Sheffield Airport announce plans for expansion. Aviation Minister Paul Maynard visited Doncaster as DSA unveiled a £10m expansion plan.
30th January – £6m redevelopment announced for railway station at Teesside International Airport. In recent years Teesside Airport Station has become one of the UK’s least used.
30th January – Council backs Bristol Airport expansion despite impact on green belt. Bristol Airport claims it has no alternative to building 2,700 more parking spaces in the green belt.
31st January – Some people feel there is not enough detail in Leeds Bradford Airport expansion plans. Airport chiefs have been accused of not giving enough information.
31st January – Survey shows that over half of customers use trains to reach Southend Airport. This was up from a third, taken from a poll of customers at the start of last year.
Other Aviation Industry News
2nd January – The On-Time Performance Review, detailing the world’s most on-time airports and airlines for 2019 has been released by travel data and analytics firm Cirium. Further details may be seen here.
6th January – Glasgow Airport Metro system gets council leader approval. Announcement came ahead of a conference on the state of the economy and infrastructure in Glasgow.
8th January – CAA consultation on minimum requirements for noise modelling launched. It will run until 4 March 2020.
9th January – IAG CEO, Willie Walsh is to retired this year. Luis Gallego, currently Iberia chief executive, will succeed Mr Walsh.
9th January – Next step for Biggin Hill’s £11m expansion. This includes the development of a new hotel and aviation college and is expected to get landlord’s consent next week.
12th January – Dublin Airport’s community fund re-opens until February 12th. It supports projects in the neighbouring communities around Dublin Airport.
13th January – CAA launches its Heathrow price control consultation which will run until 5 March 2020. Further details and access to the document (CAP1876) can be seen here.
14th January – Government says it won’t step in to save ailing Flybe. Chancellor will discuss a rescue deal today with business and transport secretaries to defer tax bill.
15th January – Flybe’s bail-out angers rival airline and environmental campaigners. IAG who owns BA says it is a misuse of public funds and the green campaigners say it is wrong move.
16th January – Economic impact of Cork Airport continues to grow according to a report published. Further details may be seen here.
16th January – Sinn Fein says serious questions should be raised over the purchase of Connemara Airport. The state paid €2.75 million for the airport late last year.
17th January – Plans to centralise air traffic control services announced. Plans to centralise ATC at a new hub in Inverness have been confirmed by Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL).
20th January – Cork Airport contributes €904m to Irish economy. This is according to findings in an economic impact study.
22nd January – CAA published updated 3rd edition of CAP 1616, Airspace Change: Guidance on the regulatory process for changing the notified airspace design and planned and permanent redistribution of air traffic, and on providing airspace information.
22nd January – Dublin Airport contributes almost €10 billion to Ireland’s economy says new report. The figure is equivalent to over 3% of the national economy.
26th January – Flybe looks for another tax delay. The airline is said to have asked airports to give it more time to find millions of pounds it owes them in unpaid landing fees.
27th January – Government has brought in advisors over Flybe ‘loan’ talks. They have been drafted in to advise the DfT on its assessment of the basis for a commercial loan.
29th January – 1.7million air passengers travel through Jersey in 2019. This is the highest number of air passengers since 1995.
30th January – An article claiming that 97% of the world’s airports have weak cyber security can be seen here.
31st January – Aviation chiefs commit to landing zero-carbon plan. Sustainable Aviation plans to unveil the joint pledge at an event with the transport secretary next Tuesday.
SASIG Library Additions
There were no library additions this month.