Editor’s Highlights
A short month, but still plenty of aviation policy activity to report and absorb. Most attention has been focused on the hotel quarantine saga impacting travellers for 33 so-called Red List countries (which include South Africa and Portugal). It has been a slow burner in the news but those now caught by the restriction will be £1,750 worst off, the equivalent of a business fare to many long-haul destinations and quite a disincentive to travel.
The Prime Minister’s Covid Roadmap published on 22nd February and the rapid roll-out of the various vaccines is offering the industry a chink of light at the end of a very long tunnel, and if reported jumps in flight sales of 600% compared to 2020 are true, it provides evidence of significant supressed demand. Ministers are understandably reluctant to play down any certainty about an end to the crisis and the industry is holding back on major commitments while it waits for key restrictions to be lifted by the Government and watches progress elsewhere. Domestic flying should be unaffected by such considerations but there is a surprising lack of focus on promoting this sector, which would materially benefit smaller airports as, once again, the Global Travel Task force takes centre stage.
An important aspect of the crisis for the industry has been the Government’s failure to provide an industry specific support package of the kind offered in nearly every other western developed nation and which other sectors in the UK such as hospitality, the arts and lower league football clubs have benefited from. The announcement of the Airport and Ground Operators Support Scheme was hoped to be the long-awaited breakthrough but it turns out to be poorly funded and designed to help those in most need the least. In so doing it has satisfied no-one and industry pressure for a more substantive scheme remains, especially as the Secretary of State told the TSC that the Aviation Recovery Plan (ARP) will be delayed because of the uncertainty caused by Covid 19. This was confirmed in SASIG discussions with Aviation Minister Robert Courts MP and we have adjusted the timing and focus of our Local Authority Aviation Impact Study work and associated submissions to ensure they have maximum impact when the ARP returns to the policy agenda in the coming months.
If the industry does begin to emerge from the worst of the COVID crisis during the summer, it is going to face some hurricane-force policy headwinds in terms of the climate change agenda with COP26 taking place in Glasgow in November and the G7 having it as a key topic for discussion when they meet in Cornwall in June. DfT are known to have started discussions on an aviation de-carbonisation strategy with key stakeholders – this suggests a consultation is imminent and SASIG will be seeking to raise the issue with relevant officials in the coming weeks.
Finally, the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill has received its Second Reading in the commons.
Chris Cain, Policy Director – SASIG
Monthly Highlights
1st February – CAA publishes Airspace Classification update. More details on airspace classification can be found on the CAA website.
3rd February – AOA publishes its Airport Recovery Plan – see details and access to document here.
3rd February – Transport Committee questions Secretary of State for Transport and DfT over their performance in dealing with the pandemic and other issues facing the transport sector.
Grant Shapps announced that the Recovery Plan would be published later this year adding that he could not give more detail on the timing because of uncertainty caused by C-19.
15th February – England’s new hotel quarantine scheme comes into effect – see here.
22nd February – PM sets out roadmap to ease COVID restrictions. See here and here.
25th February – CAA published Economic regulation of Gatwick: consultation – see here and here.
Events, Meetings and Conferences
SASIG Meetings
23 March 2021: 10:30 – 1pm: SASIG full meeting/ afternoon workshop (Virtual meetings via Zoom)
21 July 2021: 10:30-1pm: SASIG full meeting/ afternoon workshop – Westminster Suite, LGA or virtually via Zoom – to be decided.
29 September 2021: 10:30-1pm: SASIG full meeting/ afternoon workshop – Westminster Suite, LGA
15 December 2021: 10:30-1pm: SASIG full meeting/ afternoon workshop – Westminster Suite, LGA
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.
2nd September 2021: 2nd International Hydrogen Aviation Conference, Glasgow.
5-7 September 2021: World Routes 2021: Milan, Italy.
October 2021: ABTA Travel Convention, Marrakech, Morocco.
December 2021: 9th European Aviation Conference: Heilbronn, Germany
Parliamentary and Government News
Both Houses adjourned on 11 February for recess and returned on 22 February 2021.
3rd February – Transport Committee questions Secretary of State for Transport and DfT over their performance in dealing with the pandemic and other issues facing the transport sector. Grant Shapps announced that the Recovery Plan would be published later this year adding that he could not give more detail on the timing because of uncertainty caused by C-19.
22nd February – PM sets out roadmap to ease COVID restrictions. See here and here.
Transport Questions: House of Commons:
3rd February – Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill
Robert Courts, Aviation Minister, moved for the Bill to be read a second time – see here.
9th February – Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill (First Sitting)
Transport Questions: House of Lords
3rd February – Hotel Quarantine for Travellers
The Government was asked what plans they have to implement a mandatory hotel quarantine for all travellers arriving in the United Kingdom. See here for debate.
24th February – COVID -19: Vaccination Passport
The Government was asked what discussions they plan to have with the devolved Administrations about the introduction of a COVID-19 vaccination passport to enable those who have been vaccinated to travel. See here.
Parliamentary Questions:
Q.1. Question (148713) asked by Maria Eagle (Garston & Halewood) on 3 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the need to mitigate the effect of covid-19 quarantine measures on the (a) aviation industry and (b) regional airports”.
A. 9 February 2021 by Robert Courts: “The Department for Transport works closely with HM Treasury on matters related to aviation. The Secretary of State meets regularly with his Cabinet colleagues including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in addition to the many more meetings attended by Junior Ministers or DfT Officials to discuss and achieve the goals to mitigate the effect of COVID-19. The Government recognises the impact COVID has had on the aviation sector, particularly in light of the continuing restrictions. Firms can continue to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor, including a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees and VAT deferrals or the new Airport and Ground Operator Support Scheme (AGOSS). In total, we estimate the support we have committed to provide to the air transport sector (airlines, airports and related services) through the coronavirus support package, the new AGOSS scheme and through export development guarantees, will benefit the sector by around £6.5bn. If businesses find themselves in severe and urgent financial difficulties, even following these unprecedented support measures, then we remain open to discussion about bespoke financial support, but only as a last resort. Any intervention would need to be on terms to protect the interests of taxpayers”.
Q.2. Question (148717) asked by Maria Eagle (Garston & Halewood) on 3 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to publish a recovery plan on how his Department will support regional airports to help ensure their continuing viability as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are lifted”.
A. 9 February 2021 by Robert Courts: “The government is focused on reducing the public health risks posed by community transition of COVID-19 and imported variant cases of the virus from overseas. We are also developing a forward looking strategic framework on the recovery of the sector, which will include the government’s ongoing priority to support and strengthen regional connectivity. The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England. It will provide support 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. In total, we estimate the support we have committed to provide to the overall air transport sector (airlines, airports and related services) through the coronavirus support package, the new AGOSS scheme and through export development guarantees, will benefit the sector by around £6.5bn”.
Q.3. Question (148716) asked by Maria Eagle (Garston & Halewood) on 3 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support regional airports; and if he will make a statement”.
A. 9 February 2021 by Robert Courts: “The Department recognises the severe impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on travel, and work continues to understand how best the industry can be supported at this time. The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England. It will provide support 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”.
Q.4. Question (148711) asked by Maria Eagle (Garston & Halewood) on 3 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the planned timescale is for the length of time that the compulsory hotel based covid-19 quarantine policy will be in place; and what steps he plans to take to compensate airport operators for loss of business during that time”.
A. 8 February 2021 by Robert Courts: “The Government will keep all our measures under constant review, including quarantine measures for international travellers and how long these are required for. The Government recognises that the aviation sector has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Firms can continue to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor, including a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees,VAT deferrals, and the recently-launched Airports and Ground Operations Support Scheme. If businesses find themselves in severe and urgent financial difficulties, even following these unprecedented support measures, then we remain open to discussion about bespoke financial support, but only as a last resort. Any intervention would need to be on terms to protect the interests of taxpayers”.
Q.5. Question (148710) asked by Maria Eagle (Garston & Halewood) on 3 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of flights that will be operated (a) into and (b) out of regional airports after the introduction of compulsory hotel based covid-19 quarantine measures on arrival into the UK”.
A. 8 February 2021 by Robert Courts: “Airlines’ schedules are subject to change at short notice and it is for that reason that we have not made a formal assessment of the number of flights that will be operated after the introduction of the new managed quarantine measures”.
Q.6. Question (150760) asked by Henry Smith (Crawley) on 8 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will remodel the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme to allow ground handlers to use the grant for other fixed costs as well as business rates relief so that the package equally supports all parts of the aviation supply chain”.
A. Robert Courts on 15 February 2021: “Payments are not limited to use on business rates cost only. The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England. It will provide support 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. Grant payments made to successful applicants can be applied toward costs which are essential to enable the operation of a commercial airport or ground handling operations and falls within the list of eligible expenditure.
Q.7. Question (148709) asked by Maria Eagle (Garston & Halewood) on 3 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings he has had with representatives of regional airports on the implementation of the Government’s covid-19 quarantine policy; and if he will make a statement”.
A. 8 February 2021 by Robert Courts: “Ministers and officials have engaged extensively with the Aviation industry, including regional airports, throughout this crisis. We remain committed to an open engagement with the sector and continue to work with industry to establish relationships that will reflect Government’s priorities, both in terms of sharing information and giving industry the opportunity to feedback as policy develops, with the aim of helping retain jobs and return the sector to growth as soon as possible”.
Q.8. Question (153274) asked by Dr Philippa Whitford (SNP) on 11 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government (a) is undertaking internationally and (b) will take at COP26 to achieve net zero-emission aviation by 2050”.
A. 22 February 2021 by Robert Courts: “The Government recognises that international action is essential given the global nature of both the aviation sector and of climate change. The UK therefore takes a leading role in the work of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to reduce emissions from international aviation. For example, we are committed to implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and negotiating for ICAO to agree a long-term emissions reduction goal for international aviation by its 41st Assembly in 2022. Our COP26 presidency provides the UK with a unique opportunity to increase global ambition to decarbonise all sectors, including aviation. The government is working to deliver an ambitious set of initiatives that increase global ambition on aviation decarbonisation, showcase the latest in innovation and technology, and encourage the use of sustainable aviation fuels. In addition, we are taking strides domestically to ensure aviation plays its part in delivering the UK’s net zero commitments: we recently established the Jet Zero Council to bring the sector together to drive decarbonisation and will shortly publish a consultation on how the sector can reach net zero”.
Q.9. Question (152553) asked by Seema Malhotra (Feltham & Heston) on 10 February 2021: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a targeted extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for the (a) aviation sector and (b) other sectors in the event that those sectors are subject to covid-19 restrictions after April 2021”.
A. Jesse Norman on 22 February 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 substantial 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 almost £11 billion made available through loan guarantees, support for exporters, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility and grants for research and development. This includes £8 billion of UK Export Finance Guarantees. The Chancellor has always been clear that the Government would keep the situation under review, adapting its approach as the context evolved. The Government will set out the next phase of the plan to tackle the virus and support jobs at Budget”.
Q.10. Question (150761) asked by Henry Smith (Crawley) on 8 February 2021: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until end of July 2021 for aviation sector employees”.
A. Jesse Norman on 16 February 2021: “The Government will set out the next phase of the plan to tackle the virus and protect jobs at Budget 2021”.
Q.11. Question (150675) asked by Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) on 8 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions the Government has had with representatives of the (a) airline and (b) travel sectors on exiting the Government’s covid-19 quarantine strategy”.
A. Robert Courts on 15 February 2021: “Ministers and officials have engaged extensively with the aviation and travel industries throughout the pandemic. We remain committed to an open engagement with the sector and continue to work with industry to share information and provide industry the opportunity to contribute as policy develops, with the aim of helping retain jobs and return the sector to growth as soon as possible”.
Q.12. Question (147818) asked by Henry Smith (Crawley) on 2 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Transport Secretary on plans for lifting covid-19 international travel restrictions to give the aerospace sector the long-term vision to recover from the pandemic”.
A. Paul Scully on 10 February 2021: “The Department is in regular contact with the Department for Transport on the impacts of COVID-19 on the aerospace sector. Both BEIS and the Department for Transport (DfT) recognise the importance of the UK aerospace industry to the economy and the vital role it will play in the post-pandemic recovery. DfT engages with the industry via multiple channels, focusing on a wide range of issues affecting the industry such as EU Exit transition, Covid-19 impact, technical certification and specification, and international cooperation”.
Q.13. Question (155090) asked by Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen & Hamilton West) on 19 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to recent ONS figures showing that air transport companies have contracted by up to 89 per cent in GDP terms since February 2020, what assessment he has made of the potential economic effect of an aviation recovery package”.
A. Robert Courts on 25 February 2021: “Before Covid-19, aviation directly contributed at least £22 billion GDP to the UK economy and supported around half a million jobs. This included the air transport and aerospace sectors, as well as the wider supply chain. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, the aviation sector has been one of the worst affected sectors in the UK. Passenger numbers at UK airports fell by 99% at the height of the pandemic. Overall volumes of flight traffic in the UK is currently around 80% below equivalent 2019 levels. The air transport sector’s contribution to the UK economy dropped by 75% in 2020 compared to 2019. The Department recognises the severe impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on travel, and work continues to understand how best the industry can be supported at this time. The Government is working on a strategic framework for the recovery of the sector. It will explore the return to growth of the aviation sector, and will include consideration of workforce and skills, regional connectivity, noise, innovation and regulation, and consumer issues. In addition, through the Global Travel Taskforce, the Government will work closely with the industry to find ways to safely and gradually ease restrictions on international travel. We will set out more detail on this soon”.
Q.14. Question (155137) asked by Gavin Newlands (Paisley & Renfrewshire Nth ) on 19 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his forecasts are for recovery and growth in the air transport and travel sector”.
A. Robert Courts on 25 February 2021: “DfT has not produced economic forecasts of recovery and growth in the air transport or travel sectors. DfT maintain a capability to produce a range of passenger demand scenarios, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the potential shape of recovery, for internal use. The Department recognises the severe impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on travel, and work continues to understand how best the industry can be supported at this time. The Government is working on a strategic framework for the recovery of the sector. It will explore the return to growth of the aviation sector, and will include consideration of workforce and skills, regional connectivity, noise, innovation and regulation, and consumer issues. Aviation businesses have access to the unprecedented economic support package that the Chancellor has put in place to help businesses to manage the challenges they are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to this, the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England”.
Q.15. Question (154728) asked by Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) on 19 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the disproportionate effect of the covid-19 outbreak on regional airports as part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda”.
A. Robert Courts on 25 February 2021: “The Government recognises the challenges faced by the aviation sector at this time. The Government is committed to maintaining critical connectivity and through policies like Public Service Obligations the Department for Transport subsidises routes into London. We have also taken action to support airports through the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS). This opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England. It will provide support up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities or COVID-19 losses – whichever is lower – in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £8m. The Government is keen to find ways to work closely with the industry to ease restrictions on international travel gradually and sustainably. The Secretary of State for Transport will lead a successor to the Global Travel Taskforce to develop a framework that can facilitate greater travel when the time is right, while still managing the risk from imported cases and variants”.
Q.16. Question (155132) asked by Gavin Newlands (Paisley & Renfrewshire Nth ) on 19 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department plans to take to mitigate the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on regional airports”.
A. Robert Courts on 25 February 2021: “The Department recognises the severe impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on travel, and work continues to understand how best the industry can be supported at this time. Aviation businesses have access to the unprecedented economic support package that the Chancellor has put in place to help businesses to manage the challenges they are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Firms can continue to draw upon the package of measures announced by the Chancellor, including a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and VAT deferrals. In addition to this, the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England. It will provide support up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities or COVID-19 losses – whichever is lower – in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £8m. Through the Global Travel Taskforce, the Government will work closely with the industry to find ways to safely and gradually ease restrictions on international travel. We will set out more detail on this soon”.
Q.17. Question (155088) asked by Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen & Hamilton West) on 19 February 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the economic effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) regional airports compared with other airports and (b) the Government’s levelling up agenda”.
A. Robert Courts on 25 February 2021: “The Government recognises the challenges faced by the aviation sector at this time. The Government is committed to maintaining critical connectivity and through policies like Public Service Obligations the Department for Transport subsidises routes into London. We have also taken action to support airports through the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS). This opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England. It will provide support up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities or COVID-19 losses – whichever is lower – in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £8m. The Government is keen to find ways to work closely with the industry to ease restrictions on international travel gradually and sustainably. The Secretary of State for Transport will lead a successor to the Global Travel Taskforce to develop a framework that can facilitate greater travel when the time is right, while still managing the risk from imported cases and variants”.
National and Regional News
1st February – Pictures reveal progress on Teesside Airport’s transformation – see here.
1st February – 100 homes planned under Wolverhampton ‘airport village’. Plans have been submitted for a sprawling scheme at Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport.
1st February – Heathrow to roll out rapid test trial to prevent spread of new Covid variants. Government-led pilot will take place over 4 weeks initially and involve about 2,000 workers.
1st February – Southampton Airport to temporarily halt all weekend operations. It said a drop in passengers caused by the collapse of FlyBe and the C-19 pandemic was to blame.
2nd February – Shops, restaurants, hotels and ‘central plaza’ planned to be built near Doncaster Sheffield Airport. See here for details.
3rd February – UK airports launch fresh bid for more financial support from the government. AOA do not expect passenger numbers to recover to pre-Covid levels until 2025 at earliest. 3rd February – Airports indecision is leaving Britain closed for business. Letter from two prominent Tories to PM urges him to deliver “a risk-based roadmap for the safe return for international travel”.
3rd February – Date for Bristol Airport expansion public enquiry has been set. It will open on July 20 and is scheduled to sit for 16 days.
3rd February – A picture of Birmingham Airport now as Covid-19 turns it into a ghost town. Just 31 flights arrived in the 7 days between Jan 25-31.
4th February – Exeter Airport calls for extension to Government furlough plan. They want this as part of a package of urgent financial measures to protect the aviation industry.
4th February – Leeds Bradford Airport expansion approved by Council. Airport wants to knock down 1960s terminal and replace with environmentally efficient airport buildings.
4th February – A public consultation over plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport is now underway. Revised proposals have been unveiled.
5th February – Belfast City Airport Chief Executive to leave role. Brian Ambrose is retiring after 16 years.
6th February – Airport chiefs say they need support now as travel industry faces deepening crisis. Heathrow, Gatwick and MAG issue an unprecedented joint plea for financial support.
6th February – Work has started on the business park at Teesside Airport – see here.
7th February – Pro-Leeds Bradford Airport campaigners welcome Leeds Council report backing expansion. The aim is to replace existing terminal with new one by 2023.
7th February – CAA figures show only 6% of those recorded in same period last year passed through Cornwall Airport Newquay during pandemic between April and November.
8th February – Bid submitted for low-tax freeport around East Midlands Airport. This could support 60,000 ‘new-skilled jobs’.
8th February – Leeds Bradford Airport could produce its own hydrogen if plans are approved. It hopes to become the first UK regional airport to do so.
8th February – South Yorkshire is bidding to become one of ten new Freeports across the UK with the bid centred around Doncaster Sheffield Airport. See here for more details.
8th February – Open letter opposes Leeds Bradford Airport expansion plan. It must be halted “for the good of generations”, a group of MPs, councillors and scientists has urged.
9th February – London Southend Airport is seeking to achieve carbon neutrality by 2027. It has completed the airport carbon accreditation process.
9th February – Herts County Council opposes plans for Luton Airport 19m passengers per year expansion. Airport already has permission to reach 18m but wishes to go further.
9th February – An article in Simple Flying states that Manchester has now overtaken Gatwick as the UK’s 2nd busiest airport – see here.
10th February – Heathrow charges passengers extra £8.90 a flight to keep check-in desks, baggage systems and lights going. They have lost £1.5billion in nine months due to Covid.
10th February – Sheffield could lose direct rail link to Manchester Airport. This idea is included in two out of the three options being considered by the DfT.
10th February – Birmingham Airport to get £18.5m emergency loan from council. It is to help avoid the threat of insolvency.
11th February – Heathrow urges Government to outline aviation recovery plan. They say that all current measures in place means that the UK’s borders are “effectively closed”.
11th February – Eastern Airways has added two new destinations to its list of services from Southampton airport. They are to French destinations, Nantes and Rennes.
11th February – Vehicles dropping off passengers at the North Terminal at Gatwick Airport, will be charged £5 from next month – see here for details.
11th February – Major plans to close one of Gloucestershire Airport’s runways and build a new business park have been recommended for approval.
11th February – Easyjet announce new flights from Cornwall Newquay Airport. They will go to Manchester and Glasgow. See the airport press release here.
13th February – Heathrow bosses worried Government’s hotel quarantine plan is not ready. It is 48 hrs before it is due to come into operation.
13th February – An article in Travel Radar titled: ‘Leveraging Leeds Bradford Airport’s Scope for Development’ can be seen here.
14th February – News of a new non-stop train service from London to Luton Airport Parkway station has been welcomed by executives at London Luton Airport.
15th February – Doncaster Sheffield Airport welcomes expansion at Leeds Bradford Airport. They say air travel is critical to North’s recovery from pandemic.
16th February – Electric car battery plant plan for Coventry Airport. The site has been endorsed by West Midlands Combined Authority and could be operational by 2025.
16th February – Southend Airport gets over 7,000 noise complaints within a year. One single resident made 550 complaints with 20 addresses making up 50%.
16th February – Leeds Bradford Airport bus to be ‘axed’. Labour candidate says a condition of planning permission is airport works for 10% increase in people arriving for flights by bus.
17th February – An article in Travel Radar titled: ‘How the Midlands is leading the way for carbon-neutral airports’ can be seen here.
17th February – Article in Airport Review by Luton Airport CEO titled: ‘For aviation to play its part in the UK’s economic recovery, airports need to fulfil their potential’ can be seen here.
18th February – What Gloucestershire Airport will look like when the north-south runway is closed in order to build a business park – see here for details.
18th February – BCP Council make bid for Dorset-based freeport status. It’s believed that Freeport designation would boost their area economy by £1.7bn over 20 years.
18th February – Heathrow gets funding to develop net-zero aviation roadmap by or ahead of 2050 deadline. Funding to be from Innovate UK through their Future Flight Challenge.
18th February – CBI backs Bristol Airport’s expansion appeal. It said the proposals would help meet the region’s growing demand for air travel.
18th February – An article titled: ‘Legal landscape: Heathrow’s Supreme Court victory does not clear third runway for take-off’ can be seen here.
19th February – Work underway to install passenger cabins on £225m Luton DART. The direct air to rail transit will provide faster transfers between Luton Airport terminal and Luton Airport Parkway Station.
21st February – Southend Airport working towards zero emissions. It is working alongside Southend Council with an environmental management plan.
22nd February – City Council to decide whether to further scrutinise plans to expand runway at Southampton Airport.There have been concerns over impact from noise and pollution.
22nd February – Airport plan to hit 12million passengers every year. Airport bosses want to achieve this by 2040.
22nd February – Heathrow Airport has called for the Government to extend furlough and provide business rates relief to ensure the aviation sector is able to restart – see here.
22nd February – Stansted Airport MD calls on Government to come up with “a clear exit plan for how to safely restart international travel” in next month’s Budget.
24th February – Luton resists possible sale of airport after £35m from Government. Council said airport, which it owns through a subsidiary company, was vital to town’s economy.
24th February – Heathrow plummets to £2bn loss in ‘toughest year in airport’s 75 year history’ and Heathrow boss calls for 100% business rates relief after “devastating” year.
24th February – Newcastle Airport has secured a new route to a financial hub in the heart of Europe. It’s added a new daily service to Frankfurt, Germany.
24th February – Wakefield councillor unhappy with Leeds Bradford Airport expansion plans. He says the move would undermine efforts to make West Yorkshire carbon neutral.
25th February – Southampton City Council to object to airport runway extension. There are fears about the impact it would have on noise and pollution levels.
25th February – Lib Dems claim new £124m access road could lead to ‘an eventual terminal two’ at Luton Airport. Seehere for more details.
25th February – CAA published Economic regulation of Gatwick: consultation – see here and here.
26th February – Gatwick records £465.5m loss as passenger numbers collapse. Passenger numbers plunged 78% but CEO remains optimistic for recovery.
26th February – London City Airport boss joins calls for global approach to lifting travel restrictions – see here.
26th February –MD of Manchester Airport plus bosses from five other Northern hubs, including Liverpool, call on Government for sector support ahead of Budget next week.
27th February – Teesside Airport announces new winter sun flights. Winter holidays to Mallorca will be operated by Ryanair.
28th February – Heathrow’s new pandemic tax pushes up prices. It’ll be charging £8.90 extra to all outbound flights from April in what it’s calling a UK Exceptional Regulatory Charge.
Other Aviation Industry News
1st February – Up to £8m available for English airports during pandemic. Commercial airports and ground handling companies will be able to apply for the government support.1st February – CAA publishes Airspace Classification update. More details on airspace classification can be found on the CAA website.
2nd February – Ryanair pulls all GB flights to Northern Ireland. It says it’s facing “the most challenging year” in its 35-yr history and expects to post a full-year loss of nearly €1 billion.
2nd February – Dublin Airport hardest hit in Europe during pandemic. This is according to expert Eamonn Brennan, Director General of Eurocontrol.
3rd February – Transport Committee questions Secretary of State for Transport and DfT over their performance in dealing with the pandemic and other issues facing the transport sector. Grant Shapps announced that the Recovery Plan would be published later this year adding that he could not give more detail on the timing because of uncertainty caused by C-19.
3rd February – An article in Passenger Terminal Today titled: ‘The key to sustainable operations in a post-COVID world’ can be seen here.
3rd February – An article by Reuters about the challenges facing European airlines in setting their summer schedules may be seen here.
3rd February – AOA publishes its Airport Recovery Plan – see details and access to document here.
4th February – An article deliberating on the future of Wick Airport can be seen here.
4th February – Airport traffic recovery in Europe and Americas could take until 2025 says ACI. See here for details.
4th February – Ireland West Airport Chairman welcomes announcement of new Regional Airports programme. The programme will run for the period 2021 to 2025.
5th February – Foreign Office Minister defends Government position on quarantine hotels. See here for details.
8th February – Newly published ACI report highlights continued airport industry climate action amid COVID-19 pandemic – see here for details.9th February – New 251-room hotel to be built next to Edinburgh Airport. Work will begin later this year.
9th February – An article in Building about how the aviation slump has affected companies relying on construction work within airport expansion can be seen here.
10th February – Airports could field prefabricated cargo facilities which can be up and running in 6 months at low cost. This could bring struggling airports a new revenue stream.
10th February – Airport funding is welcomed but Wick John O’Groats is not saved. See article by MSP for Highlands & Islands, Edward Mountain, here.
10th February – An article in RTE news claims Ireland is in breach of WHO pandemic rules for airports and ports – see here.
10th February – International passengers arriving in England from 15 February will be required to undergo three self-funded COVID-19 tests, in addition to being quarantined.
11th February – MEPs have backed proposals to ease slot rules for the forthcoming summer season. See here for details.
12th February – £55m plan for new terminal at Inverness Airport. The move from one side of main runway to the other would put passenger facilities within walking distance of planned railway station.
12th February – ACI say 2020 was worst year for European traffic in 25 years – see here.
12th February – €600 million Government support for German airports – see here.
13th February – Border officials say they are powerless to stop passengers ‘legging it’ from airports when Government hotel quarantine begins next week.
15th February – European slot waiver extended until autumn. The latest development was broadly welcomed by the aviation industry.
16th February – Dublin Airport facing backlash over night-time operations. The airport wants to amend curfew restrictions on the night-time use of their runways.
17th February – Vital business plan for City of Derry Airport due ‘in weeks’. The business case will be shared with government departments in a bid to secure additional funding.
17th February – HIAL aims to help create the world’s first net-zero emission aviation region by 2040. Decarbonisation and recovery from pandemic are key priorities in its 2021-26 plan.
18th February – Airline industry demands roadmap to recovery. BA, easyJet, Jet2, Loganair, Ryanair, Tui and Virgin Atlantic want a clear indication of intent that aviation will restart soon.
19th February – DAA to lay groundwork for five-year investment programme. The programme, which is due to begin in September, is expected to cost up to €50m.
19th February – AOA says business rate relief for airports brings less than a fortnight of relief. See details here.
21st February – Audit Scotland has been called on to examine plans by HIAL to centralise air traffic control operations in Inverness. For details see here.
22nd February – BA has reached agreement on £2 billion loan underwritten by a syndicate of banks and partially guaranteed by Government’s UK Export Finance – see here.
23rd February – Fingal Council puts Dublin runway plans on hold. It is seeking additional information from airport operator DAA on its planning application.
24th February – EU has approved Irish Government’s €26m airport aid scheme – see here.
24th February – Mystery bidder for Prestwick Airport has chance to maximise ‘huge potential’ says former SNP MSP – see here.
25th February – An article in Airport Review titled: ‘2021: Looking ahead on an important year for aviation’ can be seen here.
25th February – Europe travel and tourism alliance urges regional plan to restore freedom of travel by summer. Plan involves an EU roadmap for restoring travel after lockdowns end.
26th February – Eastleigh BC back Solent Freeport bid. It would include a site next to Southampton Airport.
27th February – Airlines avert airports slots slash. Govt says they can retain slots irrespective of whether they fulfill them all due to likelihood of reduced flight frequencies this summer.
SASIG Library Additions
There were no Library additions this month.