Editor’s Highlights
The Government’s response to the COVID pandemic remained the dominant feature of the aviation policy discourse in May. In particular, much to the industry’s consternation and following a debate on 12 May, the Government relaxed some travel restrictions but then on 19th May introduced its ‘Traffic Light System: Safe Return of International Travel’ with very few overseas destinations on the list, followed by even greater uncertainties created by rapid changes to the traffic light status of individual destinations.
Standing back a little, there does seem to be a fundamental clash between the industry and economically focused Departments who want to make it easier for international flying to recommence, and DHSS, the Home Office, FCO and No 10 whose focus is on managing COVID and the threat of variants being brought into the UK from overseas. It is interesting, however, that the policy focus is almost exclusively on international flying, while despite the Government’s encouragement of staycations, little if any attention is paid to encouraging the domestic sector. Is this because this is of little interest to the larger UK airports in the South East who have the Government’s ear, while smaller regional ones – for whom domestic flights are their bread and butter and vital to the functioning of regional economies, do not?
Another significant publication was the Transport Committee’s Interim Report on the impact of the pandemic on the aviation sector. TSC is pressing the Government for a broader sector specific response – it has been long promised but the ARP is now unlikely to see the light of day until the end of 2021.
On 18th May DfT announced that the closing date of Part 2 of the Night flights consultation has been extended to 3 September (from 31 May). Then a week later a second round of the Airport & Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) was announced, but with half the funding of the previous round. Finally two interesting bylines: on 27th May the Teesside to Heathrow service increased to three flights per day and the UK’s Busiest Route in terms of frequency in April 2021 is Isles of Scilly to Land’s End.
Chris Cain,
SASIG Policy Director
Monthly Highlights
13th May – TSC publishes its Interim Report on the impact of the pandemic on the aviation sector.
17th May – Some C-19 travel restrictions are relaxed.
18th May – Night flights consultation: closing date extended to 3 September (from 31 May)
Events, Meetings and Conferences
SASIG Meetings
(To note: depending on any restrictions continuing, some of these meetings may be held virtually. It is therefore advised to check with the Secretariat first before making any travel arrangements).
21 July 2021: 10:30-1pm: SASIG full meeting – virtually via Zoom.
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: due to the pandemic, some changes have occurred).
2nd September 2021: 2nd International Hydrogen Aviation Conference, Glasgow.
10-12 October 2021: World Routes 2021: Milan, Italy.
W/b: 11 October 2021: ABTA Travel Convention: Virtual meeting.
1-2 December 2021: 9th European Aviation Conference: Heilbronn, Germany
5, 6 & 7 April 2022: Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France.
18-22 May 2022: Routes Europe: Bergen, Norway.
Parliamentary and Government News
Parliament was prorogued on Thursday 29 April 2021 bringing to an end the 2019-21 session of Parliament. The 2021-22 session began with a State Opening ceremony on Tuesday 11 May 2021.
The Government also announced the following provisional recess dates for the next session of Parliament (2021-22):
- Whitsun recess: 27 May 2021 (rise) to 7 June 2021 (return)
- Summer recess: 22 July 2021 (rise) to 6 September 2021 (return)
12 May – Government debated its ‘Traffic Light System: Safe Return of International Travel’ – see here.
18th May – Government and the Mayor of London agree to extend the current Transport for London funding deal until 28 May 2021 – see here.
28th May – Government updates AGOSS funding page – see here.
Transport Questions: House of Commons:
24th May – COVID-19: International Travel
The House was asked to consider e-petition 565102, relating to international travel and covid-19 – see here.
25th May – Airport & Ground Operations Support Scheme
Aviation Minister, Robert Courts MP, tabled this statement for the benefit of hon. Members to bring to their attention spend under the Industrial Development Act 1982 (“the Act”).
Transport Questions: House of Lords
19th May – Transport Decarbonisation Strategy
The Government was asked when they plan to publish their transport decarbonisation strategy – see here.
25th May – Heathrow Airport: Border Control Passenger Safety
Government was asked what steps they intend to take to improve the safety of passengers queuing at border control points at Heathrow airport – see here.
Parliamentary Questions:
Q.1. Question (96) asked by Andrew Rosindell (Romford) on 11 May 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has had discussions with stakeholders on introducing an electronic visa for citizens of Commonwealth nations to improve the efficiency of the immigration procedure at airports”.
A. Kevin Foster on 19 May 2021: “As part of our transformation of the border and immigration system, the government will implement a suite of changes to transform the way in which we manage people crossing the UK border. Our future border systems will provide for a fully digital end-to-end user journey, improving security and making the user journey friendly and digital by default. This will include the introduction of a digital “e-visa”, replacing the current paper vignette”.
Q.2. Question (42) asked by Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) on 11 May 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance his Department has issued to airports and airlines on ensuring that social distancing measures are implemented while passengers (a) enter and exit aircraft and (b) wait in airport waiting rooms and lounges; and if he will make a statement”.
A. Robert Courts on 17 May 2021: “The government has introduced a range of measures such as social distancing and the wearing of face coverings to help reduce the risk of transmission on aircraft and at airports, as well as issuing clear guidance for both passengers and operators. Where social distancing is not possible, airlines are advised to carry out a risk assessment and implement appropriate risk controls. For example, wearing a face covering can play a role in helping us to protect other passengers, which is why it is mandatory to wear one on board aircraft. Additionally, operators are encouraged to introduce clear signage and one-way passenger flows where appropriate. Arrangements may vary depending on the port or airport and the guidance is available to support port operators. The government continue to engage with the aviation sector to ensure they are supported in implementing best practices”.
Q.3. Question (1167) asked by Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) on 13 May 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to undertake a consultation on the (a) steps needed to encourage the use of sustainable aviation fuels and (b) creation of a British sustainable aviation industry”.
A. Robert Courts on 18 May 2021: “The Government believes that sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) have an important role to play in reducing aviation emissions and we are already providing strong support to the sector through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and industry competitions. To further build on this support, as part of the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan, the Government announced an additional £18m in funding as well as an intention to consult on a blending mandate to drive SAF uptake in the UK. This consultation is planned for the summer and will be complemented by supporting ambitions presented in the department’s upcoming Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Net Zero Aviation Consultation. Beyond this, the Government is committed to continue working with stakeholders through the Jet Zero Council’s SAF Delivery Group (15 meetings convened to date since November 2020) and other existing channels to explore what further policies are needed to support the sector’s development”.
Q.4. Question (HL76) asked by Lord Oates on 11 May 2021: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish regulations under section 30 of the Climate Change Act 2008 to include emissions from international aviation and shipping in the Sixth Carbon Budget”.
A. Lord Callanan on 25 May 2021: “The Government has laid legislation for the UK’s sixth carbon budget and this marks a decisive step towards net zero by 2050. It builds on the series of ambitious plans we have announced since committing to net zero emissions in law, including through my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan and our new UN climate target to reduce emissions in 2030 by at least 68% compared to 1990 levels – the highest reduction target made by a major economy to date. We have committed to include international aviation and shipping emissions in the Sixth Carbon Budget and will bring forward legislative proposals in due course”.
Q.5. Question (HL75) asked by Lord Oates on 11 May 2021: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government why emissions from international aviation and shipping are not included in the draft Carbon Budget Order 2021”.
A. Lord Callanan on 25 May 2021: “The Government has laid legislation for the UK’s sixth carbon budget and this marks a decisive step towards net zero by 2050. It builds on the series of ambitious plans we have announced since committing to net zero emissions in law, including through my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan and our new UN climate target to reduce emissions in 2030 by at least 68% compared to 1990 levels – the highest reduction target made by a major economy to date. We have committed to include international aviation and shipping emissions in the Sixth Carbon Budget and will bring forward legislative proposals in due course”.
Q.6. Question (205) asked by Henry Smith (Crawley) on 11 May 2021: “To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government is taking steps ahead of the UK’s Presidency of the G7 in summer 2021 to ensure (a) the safe reopening of borders and (b) that the restart of international aviation is a priority of the G7”.
A. Robert Courts on 17 May 2021: “The Secretary of State for Transport met with G7 Transport Leaders on 5 May to begin setting out a strategy for the safe reopening of international travel.This will focus on the need for a coordinated and sustainable reopening of travel through a number of aligned international measures including best practice for sharing scientific data and promoting coordination on universally recognised travel certificates”.
Q.7. Question (2191) asked by John Healey (Wentworth & Dearne) on 17 May 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to protect (a) critical infrastructure, such as the energy industry and financial services, and (b) physical infrastructure, such as airports and the NHS”.
A. James Heappey on 24 May 2021: “The protection of critical national infrastructure (CNI) in the UK is the responsibility of its owners and operators in collaboration with the Centre for the Protection of Critical National Infrastructure (CPNI), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Civil Police Forces. Ministry of Defence Police support the protection of UK CNI through the provision of guarding services for a small number of sites”.
Q.8. Question (1320) asked by Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen & Hamilton West) on 14 May 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of how the limited number of countries being given green light status during the covid-19 outbreak will affect the aviation, travel and tourism industries”.
A. Robert Courts on 20 May 2021: “The Government recognises the challenging circumstances facing the aviation industry and wider tourism sector because of Covid-19. Firms experiencing difficulties can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor. We continue to take a flexible approach and keep all impacts and policies under review. Ongoing engagement with the sector is critical for the Government to be prepared and able to react in a timely manner. In total, we estimate that the air transport sector (airlines, airports and related services) has benefited from around £7bn of Government support since the start of the pandemic. This includes support through loan guarantees, support for exporters, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme”.
Q.9. Question (5197) asked by Mike Kane (Wythenshawe & Sale East) on 21 May 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to take steps to (a) establish a long-term price support mechanism for sustainable aviation fuels and (b) create a sustainable aviation fuel industry”.
A. Robert Courts on 26 May 2021: “The Government believes that sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) have a crucial role to play in reaching our goal of net zero by 2050. We already provide strong support to the sector through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and our low carbon fuel industry competitions. To further build on this existing support, as part of the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, the Government announced £15m for a new SAF industry competition, £3m to set up a SAF clearing house, and an intention to consult on a blending mandate to drive SAF uptake in the UK. This consultation is planned for the summer and will be complemented by supporting ambitions presented in the department’s upcoming Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Net Zero Aviation Consultation. The Government will continue working with stakeholders through the Jet Zero Council SAF Delivery Group and other channels to explore what further policies might be needed to support the development of the sector, including demand-side measures or business models that address price risk”.
Q.10. Question (5198) asked by Mike Kane (Wythenshawe & Sale East) on 21 May 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to hold a consultation on establishing a long-term price support mechanism for sustainable aviation fuels”.
A. Robert Courts on 26 May 2021: “The Government believes that sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) have a crucial role to play in reaching our goal of net zero by 2050. We already provide strong support to the sector through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and our low carbon fuel industry competitions. To further build on this existing support, as part of the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, the Government announced £15m for a new SAF industry competition, £3m to set up a SAF clearing house, and an intention to consult on a blending mandate to drive SAF uptake in the UK. This consultation is planned for the summer and will be complemented by supporting ambitions presented in the department’s upcoming Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Net Zero Aviation Consultation. The Government will continue working with stakeholders through the Jet Zero Council SAF Delivery Group and other channels to explore what further policies might be needed to support the development of the sector, including demand-side measures or business models that address price risk”.
Q.11. Question (1159) asked by Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) on 13 May 2021: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential economic merits of introducing arrivals duty free shops at airports”.
A. Kemi Badenoch on 21 May 2021: “Following a consultation, the Government announced on 11 September 2020 that duty-free sales would be extended to EU-bound passengers for the first time in over 20 years from 1 January 2021. This is a significant boost to all airports and international rail terminals in England, Scotland and Wales, including Manchester, and smaller regional airports and rail hubs, which have not been able to offer duty-free to the EU before. Duty-free on arrival did not form part of the Government’s consultation on the potential approach to duty- and tax-free goods arising from the UK’s new relationship with the EU, which took place in the Spring of 2020. The Government nonetheless acknowledged in the summary of responses to the consultation that some stakeholders had requested the introduction of duty-free on arrival. This also set out that duty-free on arrival was not a scheme that the Government previously offered and was therefore not considering implementing the scheme at that time. Duty-free on arrival could undermine the UK high street and run counter to public health objectives. The Government would also need to consider the cost and any revenue and legal risks of introducing such a scheme. Any new tax relief will impose additional pressure on the public finances, to which excise duty makes a significant contribution. Duty on alcohol and tobacco raises over £22 billion and plays a key role in funding vital public services like the NHS and addressing harms caused by these products. Any loss in tax revenue would have to be balanced by a reduction in public spending, increased borrowing or increased taxation elsewhere”.
National and Regional News
1st May – Campaigners respond to survey about LBA expansion – see here.
1st May – An article in Simple Flying titled: ‘The History of London City Airport’ can be seen here.
2nd May – Heathrow should think ‘long and hard’ about putting squeeze on London’s black taxis. LTDA says other less busy airports have tried and failed to replace licensed taxis with Private Hire operators, with ‘disastrous results’.
3rd May – CAA recognises Stansted Airport as COVID secure. Outside of the original three pilot airports, it is the first UK airport to receive the official assurance recognition.
4th May – A history on why BAA sold London Gatwick Airport in 2009 can be seen here.
4th May – Liverpool John Lennon Airport aims to be carbon neutral by 2040. This is ten years ahead of the Government scheme date.
5th May – London Heathrow pushes back re-opening of Terminal 3. Shut in April 2020 due to the pandemic, it won’t re-open now until end of May at the earliest.
5th May – Poll shows West Yorkshire voters support Leeds Bradford Airport expansion. But many said improvements need to go hand in hand with strict limits on flight numbers.
5th May – Deadline week for Stansted planners amid latest appeal. UDC and MAG have until May 7 to tell the government what they think about Stansted’s expansion plans.6th May – Southampton Airport – how it’s been affected by the pandemic and also the loss of Flybe – see here.
6th May – Several flights due to leave from Norwich Airport have been postponed as airlines revise schedules because of Covid. Most are only postponed for a few days though.
6th May – UK’s Busiest Route in April 2021 is Isles of Scilly to Land’s End. It has even increased the number of flights operating from 345 two years ago to 363 this month.
8th May – Blackpool Airport is considering adopting virtual air traffic control technology.
9th May – An article in My London titled: ‘Why is Heathrow Airport ‘closed’ at night? Here’s the answer.’ can be seen here.
9th May – CBI boss backs Leeds Bradford Airport plans for new terminal. He says Govt’s levelling up agenda wouldn’t be successful without a network of strong regional airports.
11th May – Heathrow Airport has reopened a property hardship scheme It buys homes from owners who are otherwise unable to sell them due to the prospect of the third runway.
11th May – Regeneration of Oxford Airport part of new business model. Regeneration project will replace old, outdated hangars with new, environmentally-friendly ones.
11th May – Heathrow calls for green list expansion as passenger numbers sink by 92%.
11th May – Southend Airport wants volunteers to trial new Covid measures – see here.
12th May – Duty free to return to Teesside Airport after 8 year absence – see here.
12th May – Birmingham Airport achieves ACI Airport Health accreditation. It’s been awarded in recognition of its best health and hygiene practices during the pandemic.
13th May – Futuristic plans for the world’s first airport for flying taxis and drones in Coventry has taken a step closer – see here.
13th May – Heathrow warns of flight diversions to other airports as borders open. They are worried the build-up of queues will become too great.
13th May – Stansted Airport expansion plans hit by climate change target pledge. That is the view of some campaigners against expansion.
14th May – Local resident submits 1,000 night flight complaints to Southend Airport. He even sends monthly report to Stobart Air CE Glyn Jones outlining the disruption he faces.
17th May – In just six months passenger numbers at Southampton Airport have plunged by as much as 98%. C-19 and collapse of Flybe have taken their toll.
17th May – A Southampton-based campaign group has joined with national calls for all airport expansions to be put on hold.
17th May – A Guardian article titled: ‘Glimmers of hope: the mood at Luton airport as England restarts foreign travel’ can be seen here.
17th May – London Oxford Airport begins major development programme – see here.
17th May – Carlisle Airport’s new owner sets out vision. He says he aims to see there will be scheduled passenger flights by the summer.
18th May – Luton Airport rethinks expansion plans. Reports say it wants to save “the best part of £1bn” on its original £2.4bn price tag.
20th May – CAA and Public Health England accredit London City Airport’s health measures.
They have been formally approved as COVID-secure.
21st May – Report says expansion of English airports could threaten climate commitments. Access to the New Economics Foundation report can be seen here.
21st May – Teenagers to hand petition to Communities Secretary objecting to expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport. It has been signed by over 54,000 people.
21st May – Norwich Airport reopening for holiday flights put back to June – see here.
22nd May – Heathrow to open separate terminal for high-risk ‘red zone’ arrivals. T3 will become a temporary ‘red zone’ arrivals terminal until T4 is reopened for that same purpose.
22nd May – Southampton Airport dismisses NEF report as “misleading”. Report says airport operators have overestimated benefits of expansion schemes while downplaying the environmental damage.
23rd May – Campaigners say the impact of proposed Stansted expansion on climate change could be 8 times higher than was claimed, following publication of new research – see here.
23rd May – Bristol Airport Flyer Express service resumes. It connects Bristol with its airport.
24th May – Wizz Air restarts flights from Gatwick. Tickets are available on 11 routes so far.
24th May – Heathrow Airport experiments with turning plastic waste into new products.
25th May – Southampton Airport expansion could still be halted by Government. They are considering whether to call in plans.
25th May – £70m baggage system now complete and set to be used at Stansted Airport. The project is the largest upgrade since the terminal opened in 1991.
25th May – Years to wait as Reading/Heathrow western rail link is delayed – see here.
26th May – Luton airport introduce new digital services. They include unlimited Wi-Fi across the terminal building and the creation of LLA Market Place, which enables passengers to pre-order food and drink contact-free.
26th May – Heathrow marks 75th anniversary. A virtual museum opens today – see here.
26th May – Stansted Airport wins appeal and gets go-ahead for expansion plan. Uttlesford Council originally turned down application to increase capacity from 35 million to 43 million.
27th May – Teesside to Heathrow service to increase to three flights per day. The new flight operated by Loganair will begin on 12 July.
27th May – Southend Airport resumes commercial flights after five months. Flights are still going to be operated on a reduced timetable for now.
28th May – EasyJet has ‘no plans’ for permanent international flights from Newcastle Airport.
28th May – Campaigners fighting to stop the expansion of Heathrow Airport have called the scrapping of free travel for passengers and staff a “retrograde step” – see here.
29th May – First-ever BA flight takes off from Southampton Airport. Its destination was Faro in Portugal.
31st May – Heathrow Airport warns of economic impact if UK fails to ease travel restrictions.
31st May – An article in Simple Flying titled: “What happened to Blackpool Airport?’ can be seen here.
Other Aviation Industry News
1st May – An article in the Scottish Herald titled: ‘1966: Glasgow Airport welcomes its first planes and passengers’ can be seen here.
2nd May – Network Rail gets planning permission to build station at Inverness Airport. The idea was first mooted around 15 years ago.
4th May – AOA spokesman says border force are ‘choosing’ not to fully staff airports. Says it should be ‘entirely manageable’ to process passengers promptly given reduction in flights.
5th May – New route announced from Belfast City Airport to Cardiff. It will be run by Stobart Air, operator of Aer Lingus regional routes.
5th May – Border union is predicting huge queues at passport control. This would be due to the increased Covid-19 checks required of passengers arriving into the UK.
5th May – High C-19 testing costs could slow recover says IATA – see here.
6th May – EGCK GA airport southwest of Caernarfon used as a model for Microsoft simulator – see here.
7th May – Airport tech firm raises £12m. Aero Cloud is a cloud-based airport management solution which provides real-time data to enable management of critical operations.
8th May – The devastating blow COVID has struck at Dublin Airport is now clear with daa’s 2020 accounts showing a record €284 million loss – see here.
9th May – Scottish travel industry experts say Scottish Government must accept traffic light system for foreign holidays or risk holidaymakers flying from English airports – see here.
11th May – See here for an article in Computer Weekly titled: ‘How OAG has adapted data services for return to airline travel’.
12th May – An article in Airport Technology titled: ‘Are job cuts the best way to save airlines in the short term?’ can be seen here.
12th May – British Airways will trial intelligent queuing technology that will enable customers to virtually queue at check-in by pre-booking their slot time in advance of arriving at airport.
13th May – An article in Airport World about cargo during the pandemic, titled: ‘Delivering the goods’ can be seen here.
13th May – TSC publishes its Interim Report on the impact of the pandemic on the aviation sector.
14th May – Shannon Airport’s link to Heathrow could be removed from September of next year. There seems to be little sign that the Government has plans to preserve it.
15th May – Airport bosses say ‘Overly cautious’ travel rules risk 1.5m jobs. They’ve written open letter to PM urging him to open up international travel sooner rather than later.
16th May – Boss of Dubai Airport tells BBC he thinks there is no other alternative to vaccine passports. Other industry stakeholders fear they will be discriminatory.
17th May – Wizz Air will begin operations out of its new Cardiff base in June – see here.
18th May – Night flights consultation: closing date extended to 3 September (from 31 May)
19th May – Aer Lingus cuts highlight urgent need for a restart plan for Irish aviation. It is also feared the airline may focus only on Dublin – see here.
19th May – Guernsey Airport baggage scanners may be in place by July. This will avert summer travel chaos.
20th May – An article titled: ‘Looking back at the history of Lydd Airport’ (in Kent) can be seen here.
20th May – An article in Airport Technology titled: ‘Will plans for Britain’s new global freight hub at Manston Airport take off?’ can be seen here.
21st May – Aviation interests let fly at Irish Government over state of industry and lack of recovery plan.
21st May – ACI Europe reaffirms European airports’ sustainability commitments – see here.
24th May – Sniffer dogs may help COVID screening at airports – see here.
24th May – Cardiff Airport CEO calls for UK government to provide targeted support to the industry. The airport is currently only seeing a handful of flights each week.
26th May – HIAL shrugs off damning report into air traffic control centralisation plans. Bosses say plans are still on track to centralise ATC.
26th May – Plans for railway station at Inverness Airport ‘unanimously approved’. Planning application was submitted in December 2020.
27th May – IATA forecasts solid long-term aviation recovery; urges digitisation of passenger processing – see here.
27th May – Airport, airline and travel retail associations to launch major consumer travel campaign. The campaign will be titled: ‘’Destination Summer’.
28th May – Poll shows Europe as the preferred holiday destination – see here.
28th May – Belfast air link to Cardiff is restored. It is operated by Eastern Airways.
28th May – MAG recognised for environmental efforts. It’s been named as one of the FT’s Climate Leaders for 2021, ranking at 23 out of 300 of Europe’s leading companies.
30th May – Irish travel expert speaks about Dublin Airport delays as travel returns amid fears of ’10 hour delays” – see here.
31st May – ACI Europe warns of ‘summer chaos’ at airports due to COVID-19 checks.
SASIG Library Additions
There were no Library Additions this month.