Editor’s Highlights

Lots of activity on the aviation front in January – some positive, some negative. The Covid-19 roller coaster remains the biggest influence on the industries’ fortunes as shown by the corridor suspensions and travel restrictions that occurred on 18th January in response to the rise in hospitalisations and deaths from the pandemic and then later as new mandatory quarantine rules were announced for passengers from 33 countries, the new Brazilian and South African variants were identified as being prominent. The effect of the lockdown has been to severely limit air travel and again deflate bookings for 2021 that had begun to recover in in the period to November 2020 last year.

In between, the bidding process on Freeports continued apace with a deadline for submissions of 5 February and the Government extended its Night Noise consultation and announced the AGOSS support scheme for Airports and Airport operators. The latter caused consternation because of the limitations on eligibility and the award criteria, both of which seem likely to make the sums that will be paid insignificant in the context overall industry losses.

January also saw SASIG’s Chair and its Policy Director hold a very useful meeting with Aviation Minister Robert Courts MP, the substance of which will form part of a report to the next SASIG meeting. He did, however, confirm that the Aviation Recovery Plan and Regional Connectivity Study were being delayed until later in the spring because of departmental resourcing issues. Updating DfT’s Aviation forecasts, the strategic importance of air freight and the decarbonisation of aviation were also discussed.

Elsewhere, a planning appeal was lodged by Bristol Airport following refusal of its plans to grow to 12mppa by North Somerset Council and the hearings forming part of the Planning Inquiry associated with MAG’s appeal of its 43mppa proposals for Stansted also began. In parallel, Government funding from the Future of Flight programme was confirmed for the UK’s first e-VTOL air port for delivery drones and air taxi’s in Coventry, which is due to open later this year and Kirkwall Airport in Orkney has been chosen to be the focus of a £3.7m Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) initiative at which new electric and hybrid-electric aircraft will be intensively tested. With the start of theses projects, there is clear evidence the Urban Air Mobility revolution is underway in the UK and, like the COVID vaccine roll-out programme, they provide a much-needed chink of light to help lift a UK aviation industry that would otherwise be deeply mired in the January gloom.

Chris Cain

Policy Director, 

SASIG

Monthly Highlights

8th January – Government announces all inbound international passengers into UK must test negative before arrival or face being fined. New rules will take effect next week. Also see Ministerial statement (made on 11th January) on international travel here

14th January – Members advised of invitation to join certain focus groups within the Combined Aerodrome Safeguarding Team (CAST).

15th January – Government announces all travel corridors to UK will be suspended from 18th January.  Further information may be seen here.

18th January – Freeports: Government publishes a Q&A in response to the questions submitted by stakeholders. It can be found on the Bidding Prospectus page of gov.uk.

20th January – SASIG Chairman and SASIG Policy Director had online meeting with Aviation Minister.  Members will be updated in due course. 

20th January – Government extends end date on consultation on night flights restrictions.
27th January – Government announces new travel and quarantine restrictions into UK. See also here
29th January – Government’s support scheme for airports opens. See here and here for details and guidance.

Events, Meetings and Conferences

SASIG Meetings

23rd March 2021: 10:30 – 1pm: SASIG full meeting/ afternoon workshop (Virtual meetings via Zoom)

21st July 2021: 10:30-1pm: SASIG full meeting/ afternoon workshop – Westminster Suite, LGA or virtually via Zoom – to be decided.

External Conferences (please note: some changes due to COVID-19 crisis)

18-22 May 2021: Routes Europe: Bergen, Norway. (Previously 10th-12th May 2021)

28 June-1 July 2021: Passenger Terminal Expo 2021: Conference & Exhibition, RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands.

5-7 September 2021World Routes 2021: Milan, Italy.

            October 2021: ABTA Travel Convention, Marrakech, Morocco.
December 2021: 9th European Aviation Conference: Heilbronn, Germany

Parliamentary and Government News

Both the Houses rose on 17 December 2020. The House of Commons returned on 6th January 2021 and the House of Lords returned on 5 January 2021.

8th January – Government announces all inbound international passengers into UK must test negative before arrival or face being fined. New rules will take effect next week. Also see Ministerial statement (made on 11th January) on international travel here

14 January – Members advised of invite from CAST outlining a request for volunteers to join certain focus groups.  SASIG will join the Regulations & Legislations Group. 

15th January – Government announces all travel corridors to UK will be suspended from 18th January.  Further information may be seen here.

18th January – Freeports: Government publishes a Q&A in response to the questions submitted by stakeholders. It can be found on the Bidding Prospectus page  of gov.uk.

20th January – Government extends end date on consultation on night flights restrictions.

27th January – Government announces new travel and quarantine restrictions into UK. See also here.

29th January – Government’s support scheme for airports opens. See here and here for details and guidance.

Transport Questions:  House of Commons: 

27th January – Health Measures at UK Borders
Statement from the Secretary of State, Home Department (Priti Patel) on health regulations at UK borders can be seen here

Transport Questions:  House of Lords

18th January – Airports National Policy Statement
Government was asked, further to the report by the Climate Change Committee Sixth Carbon Budget: The UK’s path to Net Zero, published on 9 December 2020, what plans they have to review the Airports National Policy Statement. See here for the debate.
19th January – Airports Slot Allocation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 
The Grand Committee was asked to consider the Airports Slot Allocation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021. See here for the debate.
21st January – Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill
A number of amendments were debated – see here for more details on this debate. 
26th January – Operation of Air Services (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
The Grand Committee was asked to consider the Operation of Air Services (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. See here for the debate.
27th January – Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill 
Third reading with a request that the Bill be passed. See here for details. 

Parliamentary Questions:  

Q.1. Question (133770) asked by Paul Maynard (Blackpool North & Cleveleys) on 6 January 2021: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the £594m discretionary fund announced to support businesses impacted by the January 2021 covid-19 lockdown will be accessible to (a) airlines, (b) airports, (c) ground handlers and (d) other aviation businesses.”.

A. Kemi Badenoch on 12 January 2021: “As per the Chancellor’s announcement on 5 January, local authorities in England will receive a £500 million top-up to the £1.1 billion which they have already received for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG). We encourage local authorities to use their ARG allocations to set up a discretionary grant scheme, for example to make payments to businesses which are affected by the lockdown, but which are not legally closed themselves. Local authorities can also use the ARG to support businesses indirectly including by providing additional guidance and support for businesses in their areas. Local Authorities are responsible for determining the precise eligibility for the Additional Restrictions Grant in their areas, based on their assessment of local economic need. The announcement on 5 January also includes £729 million of funding for the devolved administrations as part of the unprecedented upfront funding guarantee. The total of the guarantee is reviewed regularly to ensure it reflects all additional funding and was most recently increased by £800 million to £16.8 billion on 24 December”.
Q.2. Question (134161) asked by Chris Loder (West Dorset) on 6 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of Border Force resources to deliver its service level agreement with Heathrow airport in 2021”.
A. Chris Philp on 11 January 2021: “Border Force is confident that resources to meet anticipated overall operational requirements are in place with Border Force recruiting sufficient additional frontline staff and continuing to build staffing levels during 2020/2021 across all critical ports. Resource and staffing requirements at every port, including Heathrow, are continually reviewed by Border Force working with airport operators including Heathrow Airport Ltd, and resources are deployed flexibly as and when they are required. Nationally, Border Force recruited over 1,000 additional officers in preparation for the end of transition and continues to ensure maximum flexibility in their recruitment and deployment approach. Wait times in airports can be caused by a number of factors, not just related to resourcing. This includes the volume of immigration case working, additional support and checks in relation to Covid-19, and specific security activity. Our teams seek to balance this range of tasking each day. Whilst mindful of passenger wait times and experience, our primary objective is to ensure the security of the border and that all mandated security activity is carried out to keep the country safe”.
Q.3. Question (137180) asked by Jack Lopresti (Filton & Bradley Stoke) on 13 January 2021: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has for sector-specific support for the aviation and aerospace industries to offset the effect on them of national lockdowns and travel bans during the covid-19 outbreak”.
A. Kemi Badenoch on 20 January 2021: “The Government recognises the challenging circumstances facing the aviation industry as a result of Covid-19 and firms experiencing difficulties can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor, including schemes to raise capital and flexibilities with tax bills. The aerospace sector and its aviation customers are being supported with over £11 billion support through the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility, grants for research and development, and committed loan guarantees for aviation and aerospace exporters. This includes over £8bn of UK Export Finance Guarantees. The Chancellor also announced on 17 December that the CJRS will be extended until April, with employees receiving 80% of their usual salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month. This will continue to protect jobs and businesses across the UK in light of recent developments in the path of the virus. The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme announced on 24 November will also provide support for eligible businesses, up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £8m. This is intended to help reduce cash burn and could unlock shareholder and lender support”.
Q.4. Question (137221) asked by Mike Kane (Wythenshawe & Sale East) on 13 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish (a) the total amount of business rates paid and (b) how much relief has been granted for each commercial airport operator in the UK”.
A. Luke Hall on 18 January 2021: “The Department does not collect data on business rates paid, or relief granted, by type of business”.
Q.5. Question (134285) asked by Olivia Blake (Sheffield, Hallam) on 6 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to implement covid-19 test and isolate measures for incoming passengers at airports and ports”.
A. Robert Courts on 15 January 2021: “International arrivals from countries, territories or regions not on the Travel Corridor list (“non-exempt” places) are required to self-isolate in the UK for 10 days after leaving the non-exempt place. The Government implemented the “Test to Release for International Travel” (TTR) scheme on 15 December. Arrivals from non-exempt places can book, pay for, and take a privately provided test on the fifth day after leaving the non-exempt place, and if the result is negative, cease self-isolating. TTR provides much stronger public health protection than a test upon arrival at a port or airport, as the long incubation period of COVID-19 would mean many cases would be missed if travellers were tested earlier than 5 days after leaving the non-exempt place”.
Q.6. Question (140987) asked by Andrew Griffiths (Arundel & South Downs) on 20 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) Gatwick airport and (b) the aviation sector more widely following the closure of travel corridors until 15 February 2021”.
A. Robert Courts on 27 January 2021: “The Government recognises the challenging times facing the aviation sector due to Covid-19. The sector is crucial to the UK’s economy and businesses across the sector can draw on the unprecedented package of economic measures that have been put in place during this time. This includes a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital (CCFF), business interruption loan guarantee schemes, Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, and financial support for employees (the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme). Overall, we estimate that the air transport sector will have received around £2.5 to £3bn of support through the CCFF and Job Retention Scheme by the end of March 2021. The Government also recently announced the Airports and Ground Operators’ Support Scheme (AGOSS) and the Test to Release scheme, both of which will benefit the sector. AGOSS will provide support for eligible businesses, up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £8m. Finally, if businesses across the sector find themselves in severe and urgent financial difficulties as a result of Covid-19, even following the Government’s cross-economy interventions, then the Government remains open to discussions about bespoke financial support but only as a last resort”.
Q.7. Question (140207) asked by Clive Lewis (Norwich South) on 19 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total size of the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme funding will be; and whether conditions to maintain jobs or reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be applied for airlines and airports to access that support.
A. Robert Courts on 22 January 2021: “The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme, announced on 24 November will provide support for eligible businesses, up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per applicant of £8m. Final decisions on the scheme and eligibility criteria are yet to be made. AGOSS will be launched shortly with further details of the scheme, including conditions to access that support, to be set out”.
Q.8. Question (140112) asked by Gavin Robinson (Belfast East) on 19 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (a) applies to England only and (b) is funded through new resource; and what the value is of any Barnett consequential for each of the Devolved areas”.
A. Robert Courts on 25 January 2021: “The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) will apply only to England. AGOSS constitutes new spend for the Department for Transport and Barnett consequentials will apply as standard”.
Q.9. Question (140110) asked by Mike Kane (Wythenshawe & Sale East) on 19 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department’s announcement on business rates for airports on 24 November 2020, if he will publish the amount of business rates relief granted to each airport in England in 2020”.
A. Robert Courts on 25 January 2021: “No funding has yet been provided to airports through the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) which was announced on 24 November 2020.The Scheme will be launched shortly, with payments made to successful applicants this financial year”.
Q.10. Question (HL12033) asked by Viscount Waverley on 11 January 2021: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to accelerate safe travel through UK airports, including through testing and use of other technology”.
A. Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 25 Janaury 2021: “The Government has introduced mandatory pre-departure testing for international travellers to England from outside the Common Travel Area. Persons arriving in England from 04:00 on Monday 18 January must comply with the new requirement. Travellers must take a test no more than 3 days prior to departure to England, and will only be permitted to travel if they have proof of a negative result. This action helps to protect fellow travellers from the risk of transmission of Coronavirus during travel itself. All other border measures, such as completing the passenger locator form and the requirement to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival (or 5 days with test to release), remain in place, and must be adhered to regardless of the pre-departure test result”.
Q.11. Question (139149) asked by Sarah Owen (Luton North) on 19 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of Luton Airport on the ban on international travel during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021”.
A. Robert Courts on 21 January 2021: “The Department for Transport has not had any bespoke discussions with representatives of Luton Airport specifically on the ban on international travel during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021. The Department’s Airports Team however held its regular monthly meeting with representatives of Luton Airport on 7th January 2021 and representatives of Luton Airport attended a pre-departure testing airports round table hosted by the Aviation Minister on 8th January 2021”.
Q.12. Question (139982) asked by Sir Alan Campbell on 19 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government’s airport support scheme will include support for retail businesses based within airports”.
A. Robert Courts on 22 January 2021: “The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme announced on 24 November will provide support to eligible airports and ground handling companies, up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per applicant of £8m. AGOSS will be launched shortly when full details on eligibility will be set out”.
Q.13. Question (138894) asked by Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) on 18 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to oppose a third runway at Heathrow”.
A. Robert Courts on 21 January 2021: “On 16 December 2020 the Supreme Court overturned the earlier Court of Appeal decision and declared that the Airports National Policy Statement is lawful. We are carefully considering the Court’s judgment. The Government have always been clear that Heathrow expansion is a private sector project which must meet strict criteria on air quality, noise and climate change, as well as being privately financed, affordable, and delivered in the best interest of consumers”.
Q.14. Question (143131) asked by Sarah Owen (Luton North) on 25 January 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to support jobs in the aviation sector in response to the hotel quarantine policy”.
A. Robert Courts on 28 January 2021: “The government recognises the challenging times facing the aviation sector due to COVID-19. The sector is crucial to the UK’s economy and businesses across the industry can draw on the unprecedented package of economic measures we have put in place during this time. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), which supports companies cover the wage costs of their employees, has been extended until the end of April 2021, during which time it will contribute up to 80% of employees’ wages (up to £2,500 per month). The government has also support the aviation industry through the Covid Corporate Financing Facility and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes. The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme announced on 24 November will provide support for eligible businesses, up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £8m. This is intended to help reduce cash burn and could unlock shareholder and lender support. We continue to monitor the financial health of the sector and review the support provided to it in light of evolving restrictions on domestic and international travel”.

National and Regional News

1st January – Changes to expect at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports in 2021. London’s airports planning to make sure when travel returns to normal, they are prepared.

1st January – Plan to create tram line to East Midlands Airport has been put forward as plans for £800m scheme described as “one of the largest housing and employment developments” in the region – begin to take shape.

3rd January – An article in Simple Flying titled: ‘75 Years of London-Heathrow – What Does The Future Hold?’ can be seen here.

4th January – Cornwall Airport temporarily shut for commercial flights until at least February
5th January – BCP leaders asked to sign off £50k for freeport bid. Full details of the plan are not available at the time of writing their report. 
5th January – Campaigners unhappy about Gatwick Airport’s ‘stealth’ second runway following shareholder approval of plans. Details can be seen here.

5th January – Stansted Airport terminal will be closing overnight between 5pm and 5am from 11 January. This is due to its limited flight schedule because of the pandemic.
5th January – Southend Airport calls for more economic help as UK enters its third lockdown.

7th January – Cornwall Airport losses an ‘ongoing’ issue. The decision to temporarily close the airport to passengers was taken before the latest national lockdown was announced. 
9th January – London City Airport shelves plans to increase its operating hours. It will not bid for more weekend flights because of the pandemic.  

9th January – Report says Teesside Airport ‘on track’ but C-19 poses ‘major risk’. It exceeded targets in original business plan published in 2019 despite recording net loss in 2019-20. 

11th January – Heathrow CEO ramps up appeal for business rate relief for airports. This follows reports of another COVID-decimated month for aviation and how passenger numbers for the airport fell nearly 75% in 2020 – see here

12th January – Bournemouth Airport concerned by impact of Covid test to travel. Says the requirement to have a negative test before entry to UK should be temporary.

12th January – Bristol Airport’s appeal process begins. It wants to overturn decision by North Somerset Council to reject plans to expand passenger numbers to 12 million per year. 
12th January – Online public enquiry into Stansted Airport expansion begins. It’s expected to last until the start of April. 
12th January – Businesses learn how they can help in transforming Teesside International Airport. They took part in a virtual event to find out how they can take part in the work. 

13th January – Doncaster Sheffield Airport accounts show increase in turnover. Chairman Robert Hough said the airport was “cautiously optimistic” heading into 2021.
15th January – AEF tells public inquiry that the proposed expansion of Stansted Airport is “incompatible” with UK’s climate commitments. See here for details.

18th January – Airport support scheme to open this month. Government has announced plans for a financial support scheme aimed at airports in England.
18th January – New service from Teesside to Heathrow is announced. Loganair will start a service on March 8, which will fly twice a day from Monday-Friday and once on Sundays.
18th January – Blackpool Airport to get specialist support to help guide future aviation development. It will get help from the Airfield Development Advisory Fund. 

19th January –Councillors vote to use Plymouth City Airport to store concrete bridge beams for Forder Valley Link Road project after hearing safeguards were in place to protect it.

19th January – Campaigners unhappy with Luton Airport expansion plans. They say they are “fundamentally unsustainable” and at odds with the airport’s recent sustainability plan.

20th January – Leeds Bradford Airport appoint new CEO. Vincent Hodder takes over from February 1st and has extensive experience in the aviation industry. 

20th January – Cargo traffic has increased by more than 18% at Stansted while passenger numbers slumped 73.2% year on year at the airport. See here for further details.

21st January – Plans to attract easyjet back to Southend Airport. Council have revealed how upgrades to A127 and A13 will help bring airline back after it withdrew its base last summer.
21st January – Hillingdon Council’s new leader pledges to continue fight against Heathrow 3rd runway and also HS2.  See details here

22nd January – Work has begun on improving access at Exeter Airport. It is to enable a new ‘AirPark’ that should create around 1,000 new jobs.

22nd January – Eastern Airways to cease number of flights from Teesside Airport. But services to the destinations will be taken over by other airlines operating from the airport.

23rd January – Gatwick increased its Government borrowing by £75million over the last week to shore up its finances during the extended travel shutdown. Details here

23rd January – Southend Airport saw thousands of passengers despite pandemic. However, CAA figures show this was still only 5% of the 1.5 million recorded over same period in 2019.

25th January – JetBlue Airways complains to US Transportation Dept. It says its transatlantic expansion plans are hindered due to difficulties getting slots at London airports.

26th January – Southend Airport CEO says pandemic has hit aviation hard and the blows just keep coming as Government considers forced quarantine proposals. Details here.
27th January – Government announces new travel and quarantine restrictions into UK. See also here.
27th January – Manchester Airport calls for a ‘clear plan’ to help travel industry find way out of the pandemic. This follows announcement of strict new measures to limit flying abroad.
28th January – World’s first airport for flying cars and delivery drones to launch in BritainThe project has won government backing and will be launched in Coventry later in 2021.
29th January – Campaign group CAGNE unhappy with Gatwick plans to use second runway. They are largely concerned about added volume of noise to those living nearby.
29th January – Government’s support scheme for airports opens. See here and here for details and guidance.

30th January – Bristol Airport CEO welcomes Government support scheme. However, he is calling on even more support for the sector. Newcastle Airport says the same – see here
31st January – Millions of international passengers passed through Heathrow and Gatwick during pandemic says CAA figures. See here for further details. 

Other Aviation Industry News

1st January – An aviation start-up is developing an electric plane that uses a novel take-off and landing system to save energy and allow for longer flights. See here for details.
3rd January – Ryanair among airlines to demand reduction in airport landing fees. CE says airports would be under “ferocious pressure” to recover their traffic levels.
3rd January – An article in Simple Flying titled: ‘Multiple Airports for One City – what are the benefits’ can be seen here
4th January – Europe’s airlines, airports and air traffic controllers lost a combined €56.2bn last year, according to Eurocontrol, the agency that manages airspace across Europe.
4th January – An article titled: ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: how Brexit has re-shaped the UK-EU duty and tax-free business’ can be seen here
5th January – A decision on C-19 negative test result for incoming travellers to UK to be made shortly. Further details here.
6th January – An article on strategies for restarting aviation in 2021 can be seen here
7th January – Dublin Airport have lodged an application to amend two planning conditions due to apply to the new North Runway and the overall runway system at Dublin Airport.
8th January – Government announces all inbound international passengers into UK must test negative before arrival or face being fined. New rules will take effect next week.
10th January – An article titled: ‘It is time to auction slots at congested airports’ can be seen here.
12th January – Stobart Group who own Southend Airport are to rename themselves. The group are set to rebrand as “Esken”, which means to ascend, climb and rise. 
12th January – Calls to renovate old Cork Airport terminal as airline hub. City councillors were told it would be as part of a regional post-Covid-19 recovery strategy.
13th January – Highlands MSP wants further clarity on transport at new airport railway station. He has concerns over how arriving passengers can get to the airport terminal.  
14th January – Norwegian Air will axe 1,100 Gatwick-based pilots and cabin crew after closing its long-haul operation amid coronavirus pandemic. See further details here
14th January – Specialist aviation services provider at East Midlands Airport has invested in a new plane. It’s designed to seat 30-36 passengers but can also be adapted for cargo use.
15th January – An article in Airport World titled: ‘Intelligent Design’ which explains how data modelling can reduce queuing times at airports can be seen here
15th January – Government announces all travel corridors to UK will be suspended from 18th January.  Further information may be seen here.

16th January – New rail station at Inverness Airport ‘must meet needs of Highlanders from day one’ says MSP. The project could be up and running by December 2022.
17th January – BALPA statement on Government support package for airports is here
19th January – An article in Airport World titled: ‘Time to Innovate’ about how airports and airlines are looking at best ways to evolve from the pandemic can be seen here
18th January – Freeports: Government publishes a Q&A in response to the questions submitted by stakeholders. It can be found on the Bidding Prospectus page of gov.uk.

20th January – Orkney to become sustainable aviation test environment. HIAL has embarked on £3.7m project to develop a sustainable aviation programme.
20th January – Government extends end date on consultation on night flights restrictions.
22nd January – £12m project begins to improve technology at Guernsey Airport. The work is on its baggage scanner system and is expected to be completed by spring. 
23rd January – An article in Daily Mail asking whether pilotless planes are the future of domestic flights can be seen here.

23rd January – Europe’s busiest airports name – see here

24th January – An article in Travel Radar taking a look at ground service equipment at airports can be seen here.
25th January – COVID-19 V-Health Passport launches at UK airports. This will enable passengers to prove they do not have COVID-19. 

25th January – ACI Europe issues downbeat assessment of airport traffic recovery in 2021. See also here for more details.
25 January – CAA publishes its new policy on Minimum Standards for Noise Modelling.   They are also now seeking views on a revised proposed definition of minimum standards for noise modelling for Category D airports.  See their consultation website for more information and how to respond.  The consultation is open until 9 March 2021.
26th January – Glasgow Airport chief slams Government for lack of ‘meaningful’ engagement on aviation crisis. See further details here.
27th January – Green hydrogen to decarbonise Kirkwall Airport. EMEC is collaborating with HIAL to decarbonise heat and power at Kirkwall Airport through green hydrogen technology.
27th January – Case for Wick airport PSO has become ‘a matter of urgency’ after Moray East setback says business leader. Further details here
27th January – ABTA calls for Government to reconvene Global Travel Taskforce. It’s not been active since it issued its report in November to support the recovery of the domestic and international sectors. 
28th January – An article in Airport World titled: ‘Bouncing back better’ can be seen here
29th January – EU brings back slot rules at 50% threshold. These will be temporary, stretching over summer 2021.

29th January – Government’s support scheme for airports opens. See here and here for details and guidance.

SASIG Library Additions

There were no Library additions this month.