SASIG Newsletter – February 2022

Editor’s Highlights

It is difficult to look beyond Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the most significant highlight of February from both an aviation and political perspective, but there were a number of other more parochial aviation related developments and policy announcements that are also worth touching upon.

First and foremost, the Government finally published its long-awaited Levelling-up Plan; not much in the way of specifics about aviation but arguably the UCR that preceded it and recognition of the importance of connectivity (particularly to overseas markets from all parts of the UK) for competitiveness, offers a strong nod in that direction. The Aviation Framework, which latest intelligence suggests will be published in June, is expected to expand upon this theme. DfT are now actively engaging with stakeholders on what will be a ten-year, aspiration-driven document that will be light on specific policy but set the strategic direction for future work to follow.

Just before Putin launched his “Special Operation” in Ukraine, the UK finally withdrew all remaining COVID related restrictions on air travel to and from the UK. However, what should have been a moment of renewed optimism has been somewhat tempered by the impact the conflict has had on aviation (e.g. loss of routes to Russia and Belarus, changes to flight corridors over those territories and Ukraine, huge increases in oil prices and therefore operating costs for airlines). This has created understandable uncertainty about future recovery prospects for an industry that is already fragile following the downturn in traffic brought about by COVID. Expectations for volumes to return to +80% of 2019 levels, are now being tempered to closer to 65-70% but with short haul leisure and cargo continuing to be the strongest markets.

Elsewhere, Luton is now formally consulting on its DCO proposals, Teesside airport announced a major business park scheme, the Planning Inspectorate’s decision about Bristol Airport’s expansion has proved controversial and in Coventry construction of the UK’s first drone park has begun.

Chris Cain

Policy Director

SASIG

Monthly Highlights

2 February – Government unveils levelling up plan that will ‘transform UK’.

8 February – A link to Luton Rising Statutory Consultation site can be seen here.

9 February – SASIG participates in aviation roundtable session with Aviation Minister.

11 FebruaryUK reopens for travel – all restrictions removed for eligible vaccinated passengers arriving in the country.

24 February – All remaining C-19 restrictions in the UK removed.

25 February – SASIG advised by DfT that the Jet Zero strategy will be published in June or July of this year.

28 February – DfT updates its COVID-19: safer aviation guidance for operators.

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).

7 April 2022: 10:00:SASIG meeting: via Zoom

6 July 2022: 10:30: SASIG meeting/AGM:  Westminster Suite, LGA or virtual. TBC.

External Conferences (please note: due to the pandemic, some changes may have occurred).

5 April 2022: Next Steps for Freeports in the UK: WEETF online conference.
5-6 April 2022: Sustainable Skies World Summit: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre.
5, 6 & 7 April 2022: Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference:Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France.

 18-20 May 2022: Routes Europe: Bergen, Norway.

  16-18 June 2022: AeroExpo UK: Cotswold Airport.

  22-23 June 2022: 5th British-Irish Airports Expo: ExCel, London.

  23-24 June 2022: Aviation World Congress, Kensington, London.

 28-30 June 2022: LGA Annual Conference, Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate.
18-22 July 2022: Farnborough International Air Show.  Farnborough Airport.

Parliamentary and Government News

Recess dates for both House of Commons and Lords:
Both Houses rose for the February break on 10 February 2022 and returned on 21 February 2022.

2 February – Government unveils levelling up plan that will ‘transform UK’.

Transport Questions:  House of Commons:

There were no Transport Questions in the House of Commons this month.

Transport Questions:  House of Lords

23rd February – Passenger, Crew and Service Information (Civil Penalties) (Amendment) Regulations 2022. The House was asked that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 6 January be approved.

Parliamentary Questions: 

Q.1. Question (116883) asked by Andrew Rosindell (Romford) on 2 February 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has conducted an assessment of the impact on tourism of the Civil Aviation Authority’s decision to allow Heathrow Airport to increase charges to its airline customers by 50 per cent”.

A. Robert Courts on 8 February 2022: “The Civil Aviation Authority is the independent economic regulator of Heathrow Airport and its primary duty is to further the interests of consumers. In doing so, it must also have regard to, amongst other things, the need for Heathrow Airport to be able to finance the investment necessary to keep the airport safe, secure and resilient. The Civil Aviation Authority has imposed a ‘holding’ price cap of £30.19 per passenger for 2022, which will be trued up or down once the five-year (2022-2026) regulatory settlement is finalised later this year. The setting of air fares is a commercial matter for individual airlines”.

Q.2. Question (117077) asked by Daisy Cooper (St. Albans) on 2 February 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 1 February to Question 110600, and with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 October 2012, Official Report, column 29WS, on Planning Applications, notwithstanding the merits of planning application reference 21/00031/VARCON, if he will commission a sustainability report from the Civil Aviation Authority in order to assess whether the application (a) may conflict with national policies on (i) carbon emissions, (ii) clean air targets and (iii) noise pollution or (b) could have significant effects beyond the immediate locality, in order to inform his consideration on call-in policy”.

A. Eddie Hughes on 10 February 2022: “In considering whether to call in this application, the Secretary of state will take into account representations received and local and national policy, in particular the call-in policy as set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of October 2012. It is not the role of the Secretary of state, to commission additional evidence when considering call-in of planning applications”.

Q.3. Question (119732) asked by Wera Hobhouse (Bath) on 7 February 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government has undertaken an impact assessment on the potential effect of the new Bristol Airport runway on carbon emissions in Bath and North East Somerset”.

A. Robert Courts on 14 February 2022: “The Government is supportive of airports across the UK making best use of their existing runways. The decision on the Bristol Airport planning appeal was made by an independent Planning Inspector following a Public Inquiry which considered the traffic and environmental impacts”.

Q.4. Question (119731) asked by Wera Hobhouse (Bath) on 7 February 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government has undertaken an impact assessment of the potential effect of the extra Bristol Airport runway on traffic in Bath and North East Somerset”.
A. Robert Courts on 14 February 2022: “The Government is supportive of airports across the UK making best use of their existing runways. The decision on the Bristol Airport planning appeal was made by an independent Planning Inspector following a Public Inquiry which considered the traffic and environmental impacts”.

Q.5. Question (121717) asked by Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) on 9 February 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Civil Aviation Authority, (b) delivery companies and (c) other Government Departments on the potential merits of more permanent use of drones for delivery to remote areas of the UK”.

A. Robert Courts on 22 February 2022: “Following discussions with my officials in 2021 and with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), trials for Royal Mail were approved and took place in September and October 2021 and are also due to take place in March and April 2022. Government and the CAA are working with and supporting industry to develop the drone industry.

The Future Flight Challenge programme is a joint Government and industry investment of £300m to develop new and innovative aviation technologies, such as all-electric aircraft and deliveries by drone. In addition, the Government is supporting specific projects through the £1.2m Drone Pathfinder Catalyst Programme, which will support the integration of drones into UK airspace by bringing together drone providers and end users to demonstrate innovative drone use cases and inform regulatory development. The CAA’s Innovation Hub sandbox also supports the testing and trialling of innovative unmanned aircraft operations and flights beyond visual line of sight to take place in a safe environment and in collaboration with the regulator.

Further, the refreshed Airspace Modernisation Strategy is currently undergoing public consultation. The new Strategy is intended to enable integration, rather than segregation, of new and existing users in the same airspace. Temporary Danger Areas will remain as they are essential to protecting specific temporary activities which cannot be safely integrated, but the current increased use for beyond visual line of sight trials will reduce and ultimately no longer be required”.

Q.6. Question (120667) asked by Andrew Rosindell (Romford) on 8 February 2022: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of reducing Air Passenger Duty as a way to support the aviation industry following the covid-19 pandemic”.
A. Helen Whately on 15 February 2022: “The Government has provided unprecedented support to the aviation and aerospace sectors throughout Covid-19, with over £12 billion made available through loan guarantees, support for exporters, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility and grants for research and development.

The renewed Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) that the Chancellor announced at the Autumn 2021 Budget provides eligible businesses with support for their fixed costs for a further six months, up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities for the second half of the 2021-22 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £4 million.

Ultimately the best way to support aviation and the wider travel sector is through the safe and sustainable recovery of international travel. The success of the UK’s vaccine and booster rollout means that the Government has been able to reduce the number of travel restrictions, ensuring there is a more proportionate system in place for passengers and businesses.

As APD is a per passenger tax, airlines’ liabilities significantly reduced in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, with receipts between 2020-21 down 84% compared to the previous financial year”.

Q.7. Question (119497) asked by Andrew Percy (Brigg & Goole) on 7 February 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to encourage airlines to no longer require mandatory mask wearing on domestic and international flights”.

A. Robert Courts on 14 February 2022: “In England face coverings are no longer required by law. Airlines and operators set their own conditions of carriage, including decisions on the wearing of face coverings and when to lift this requirement. The majority of airlines continue to opt to retain face coverings following up-to-date guidance from international aviation regulators, including both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EUASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and due to continued differences in national COVID-19 restrictions around the world, which have made retaining the requirement simpler operationally in the short-term”.

Q.8. Question (119496) asked by Andrew Percy (Brigg & Goole) on 7 February 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for airlines lifting mask mandates on domestic and international flights”.

A. Robert Courts on 14 February 2022: “Airlines and operators set their own conditions of carriage, including decisions on the wearing of face coverings and when to lift this requirement. The majority of airlines continue to opt to retain face coverings following up-to-date guidance from international aviation regulators, including both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EUASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and due to continued differences in national COVID-19 restrictions around the world”.

Q.9. Question (122696) asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) on 10 February 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the number of flights with little or no passengers, which fly over airspace in the London Borough of Hounslow”.

A. Robert Courts on 21 February 2022: “The Department does not hold statistical data on flights entering UK airspace. Data on commercial air services collected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) only covers flights departing and arriving at UK airports and therefore does not include flights that pass-through UK airspace without landing at a UK airport”.

Q.10. Question (122695) asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) on 10 February 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2022 to Question 110499, in what form his Department holds the data on the number of flights with no or very few passengers landing at Heathrow airport in order to retain slots”.
A. Robert Courts on 21 February 2022: “The Department holds the data on the number of flights with no or very few passengers based on figures collected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on commercial flight operations. The Department does not hold data on the purpose of these flights operated. Flights may operate with a low number of passengers for a range of reasons and we are not able to identify whether any of these were flown specifically to retain slots. I previously provided an answer of 7 February 2022 to Question 119801 on number of empty or almost empty international departing passenger flights”.

Q.11. Question (125513) asked by Daisy Cooper (St Albans) on 18 February 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February to Question 117077 on Luton Airport: Planning Permission, for what purposes his Department would consider commissioning sustainability reports from the Civil Aviation Authority”.

A. Stuart Andrew on 28 February 2022: “The planning system has well established procedures for assessing the environmental impact of differing types of development. It is for applicants to provide the necessary documentation”.

National and Regional News

2nd FebruaryA new EV charging hub has been opened at Gatwick Airport at the Q-Park car park. An ultra-fast hub is also being planned at Heathrow Airport.
3rd FebruaryCampaigners say they feel ‘betrayed’ by Bristol Airport approval by Planning Inspectorate. Approval was given yesterday.

4th FebruaryHeathrow recruits for thousands of jobs as recovery gathers momentum.

4th FebruaryA £2.6m redevelopment to begin in the airside lounge at Bristol Airport. It will see the creation of an “enhanced” retail and F&B offer at the site.

4th FebruaryGatwick-owner Vinci sees 2022 profit surpassing pre-pandemic levels. It’s been helped by a recovery in its airports arm.

4th February – Luton Airport launches public consultation terminal expansion plans – see here.

7th FebruaryPlans for Automated People Mover linking HS2 Interchange Station, NEC, Birmingham Int. Station and Birmingham Airport have been submitted to Solihull Council.

7th FebruaryPlans for £200m Teesside Airport business park.  The new business park is expected to create up to 4,400 jobs when fully operational.

8th February – An article in New Civil Engineer titled: ‘What the ‘dangerous precedent’ set by Bristol Airport u-turn means for other UK airport expansion plans’ can be read here.

8th February – Heathrow predicts 50% of 2019 traffic levels in 2022 – see here.

9th FebruaryViews sought on Luton Airport expansion – see consultation website here.

10th February – Heathrow launches refreshed sustainability strategy – see here for press release and here to access more details.

10th FebruaryManchester Airport unveils education centre aimed at inspiring future generations to take up a career in aviation.

10th February – Over 8,000 trees to be planted at Newcastle International Airport as part of the North East Community Forest Project – see here.

11th FebruaryGatwick Airport to reopen South Terminal after two years. It will reopen next month.

11th FebruaryHeathrow reports weaker-than-expected demand in January following spread of Omicron variant. 2.6m passengers travelled through the airport last month.
12th FebruaryWork starts on Coventry hub for police and delivery drones. The facility, known as Air One, is being built ahead of a demonstration event later this year.

13th February –  Airports expecting February half-term to be one of the busiest periods since the start of the pandemic.

16th February – Heathrow chief says passenger fares row no good for either side of debate.

16th FebruaryLondon City Airport unveils first electric car charging stations. It’s initially offering 7 new charging stations for use by its passengers, staff and black cab community.

17th February – MAG warns the 10 councils that own it that they may not get any dividends till 2027 – see here.

21st FebruaryConstruction has started on a new £42m 412-bed TRIBE hotel at Airport City Manchester. It will be the first of its kind in the UK.

21st February – An article by Airlines UK boss Tim Alderslade advocating the end to all C-19 travel restrictions can be seen here.

21st FebruaryHeathrow chief quits DfT director recruitment panel. It was his decision to step down.
22nd February – See here for a Guardian article titled: ‘Until airlines tackle the scourge of ‘ghost flights’, Britain will never reach net zero’.
22nd February – An interview with Stuart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick can be seen here.
23rd FebruaryHeathrow recovery fights-back after worst year in its history. More can be seen here. Meanwhile, Heathrow CEO said the pandemic had strengthened not weakened the strategic case for expansion – see here.

24th FebruaryWizz Air hiring cabin and flight crew at Luton Airport. They expect a bumper summer.
25th FebruaryRemote working: the benefits of remote ATC: London City Airport is considered to be the first major international airport in the world to be fully controlled by a remote digital ATC tower, after adopting the technology last year.

26th February – All BA short-haul flights from Heathrow were cancelled until at least midday due to a computer glitch – see here.

28th February – An article titled: ‘Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport: Your rights when it comes to making noise complaints’ is here.

Other Aviation Industry News

1st FebruaryNew research shows that C-19 restrictions in international travel have failed to stop spread of Omicron virus. It has prompted calls for their removal.

1st February – CarbonCare and CARGO START join forces. This will enable freight forwarders to visualise the carbon footprint of every single shipment on Airport-to-Airport level.

2nd FebruaryACI Europe and Eurocontrol renew collaboration to build a sustainable, successful future for region’s aviation industry. MOU based on sustainability and efficiency.

2nd February – An article in Airport Review titled: ‘2022 – a year to push past the uncertainty within aviation’ can be seen here.

3rd February – New ‘Which’ survey says BA and Ryanair are UK’s ‘worst’ short-haul airlines. See here and here for more details.

3rd FebruaryGlasgow Airport reveals plan to install record-breaking solar farm. This is part its commitment to decarbonise its infrastructure and achieve net zero by the mid-2030s.
3rd February – A response to an FOI has disclosed details of funding to Glasgow Prestwick Airport – see here.

6th February – The airport tech helping to prevent delayed flights – see BBC article here.

7th FebruaryFlybe pilots reportedly asked to abide by strict confidentiality rules. This comes ahead of the carrier’s resumption of services from Birmingham airport this spring.

8th FebruaryAGS who own Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports becomes signatory of Toulouse Declaration, part of Europe’s aim towards aviation net zero by 2050.

9th FebruaryACI World unveils new interactive tool for airport sector. It enables users to interact with passenger, cargo and aircraft movement data.

10th FebruaryTUI to boost holiday options from Glasgow Airport. The company will increase its frequency of flights to over nine destinations.

11th FebruaryIATA launches ground operations portal. It will be a support tool for the implementation of the IATA Ground Operations Manual.

11th FebruaryUK reopens for travel – all restrictions removed for eligible vaccinated passengers arriving in the country.

14th FebruaryWork begins on ‘world first’ airport for drones and vertical take-off vehicles in Coventry. Coventry City Council said the scheme would help to decarbonise transport.

15th February – Shannon Airport to complete €5.3m airfield upgrade this week – see here.

18th February – Ryanair to hire 150 staff as it prepares to expand flights from Dublin Airport. It plans to base a 33rd aircraft there.

18th February – An Airport Technology article titled: ‘A lack of global standards and greenwashing are undermining traveller confidence’ can be seen here.

20th February – Shannon Group applies for planning permission to develop a large air cargo hub and distribution facility at Shannon Airport as part of its growth strategy – see here.

21st FebruaryGlobal aviation sector’s recovery being led by airports and aircraft lessors. Report says these business models are more resilient to Covid-19-driven downturn while airlines remain the most challenged sub-sector with a full recovery projected to take years.
22nd February – Almost 15,000 “ghost flights” have departed from the UK since the pandemic began according to new figures – see here and also here.
23rd FebruaryNew public service obligation (PSO) service to operate between Wick John O’Groats and Aberdeen from 11 April. It lost regular passenger services in 2019.

24th February – Airbus’ hydrogen-powered superjumbo to take flight in 2035 – see here.

24th February – An article titled: ‘What does the new traveller want, and how can airports give it to them?’ can be read here.

24th February – An article titled: ‘‘A potential turning point’ – ACI forecasts accelerated growth in air travel in 2022’ can be seen here.

25th February – An article titled: ‘Airport re-design will drive resilience in post-pandemic aviation’ can be read here.
25th February – SASIG advised by DfT that the Jet Zero strategy will be published in July this year.

28th February – DfT updates its COVID-19: safer aviation guidance for operators.

28th February – See an article titled: ‘Acceleration towards the future of air travel’ about new opportunities and changes that have arisen within the overall ecosystem since C-19.