Latest Aviation Policy News

Details of events and conferences being held in 2013 can now be found on the SASIG Bulletins page here.

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The SASIG office has published summary reports on relevant discussions and events at the 2012 party conferences as well as information on upcoming events.  To see our commentaries on the party conferences, please go to the SASIG Publications page here. 

Access to this article will require membership login.

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A summary report produced by the SASIG office on the ‘Inquiry into Aviation Policy and Air Passenger Duty’ report by the All Party Parliamentary Aviation Group published on 29 August 2012 is now available in the SASIG Publications page here. 

Access to this article will require membership login.

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17 February 2011

A public inquiry has begun into plans to build a new terminal building and extend the runway at the Lydd airport in Kent. The inquiry at Shepway District Council is timetabled to last for up to 40 days.

The owners of the airport, London Ashford Airport Ltd, want to replace the existing 1950s building and build a modern regional airport including a 300-metre runway extension. Shepway District Council approved the £25 million expansion plan in March 2010.

Opponents, including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Protect Kent and Natural England, say it will bring noise pollution and damage wildlife. But business leaders, including the Channel Chamber of Commerce, back the plans, which they say will bring jobs to an area desperately needing regeneration.

 http://www.uk-airport-news.info/lydd-airport-news-170211.html

13 February 2011

The proposed Airtrack rail link for Heathrow Airport was discussed during a meeting between Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, who is also MP for the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency near the airport, representatives from BAA Ltd, Network Rail, the Office of the Rail Regulator and Surrey County Council.

A proposed train link from London Waterloo to Heathrow Terminal 5 via Staines was discussed during the meeting. BAA Ltd said it was several months away from an announcement on whether Airtrack would go ahead. There have been doubts about the financial viability of the project, which is also the subject of strong opposition from people living in areas where the increased frequency of trains would cause level crossing barriers to be lowered for longer, causing traffic build-up.

All parties agreed to further meetings to progress the project in due course.

 http://www.uk-airport-news.info/heathrow-airport-news-130211.html

11 February 2011

BAA Ltd’s six UK airports handled a total of 7.5 million passengers in January 2011, an increase of 3.8% over January 2010. Domestic traffic grew most strongly (up 8.3%), having been affected more than other markets by snow across the UK in the same month last year. European scheduled traffic was up by 2.7% and North Atlantic traffic was 3.2% higher.

Other long-haul routes were up by 4.5% overall, including increases of 30% on routes to China and 10% on Indian services. It was also Heathrow’s strongest January long-haul performance in its history, with an increase of 4.6% to 5.05 million passengers. Roughly half of this increase is attributed to the bad weather in January 2010, which was also a factor at BAA Ltd’s other UK airports.

Stansted Airport was down by 5.8% on last year, although in its case the underlying reduction is estimated to have been closer to 4.5% because of a net gain from aircraft diversions in January 2010. Edinburgh recorded a 13.6% increase in traffic, bolstered by new scheduled routes to Europe and North Africa. Aberdeen was up 9.1%, Glasgow up 8.0% and Southampton up 4.8%.

At group level the number of air transport movements was up by 5.9%, with Heathrow 8.9% higher. Air cargo growth remains strong, with an 8.5% overall increase and a 9.3% gain at Heathrow.

http://bit.ly/ga0jjb

11 February 2011

The Coalition’s intended abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) can be taken into account when making planning decisions, the High Court has ruled. The judgment – in a High Court case brought by CALA Homes – confirms that the intended scrapping of regional strategies is a ‘material consideration’, which can be considered by Local Planning Authorities and Planning Inspectors when making decisions.

The Government has long signalled its intention to abolish the strategies through the Localism Bill, now at Committee stage in the Commons. Planning Minister, Bob Neill, said: “We are determined to return decision-making powers to communities and provide powerful incentives so people can see the benefits of building more homes and the Bill will help achieve this. This judgment makes it clear that planners can take into account the Government’s intention to do away with regional strategies.”

Regional strategies were revoked on 6 July 2010 but were re-established on 10 November 2010 after a successful challenge by housing developer CALA Homes.

Pending abolition, regional strategies remain part of the statutory Development Plan. The weight given to any ‘material consideration’ depends on the individual circumstances and it is for the decision maker to decide on the appropriate weight, the Department for Communities and Local Government has said. This latest judgment will not affect decisions already made on planning applications. CALA Homes has indicated it will appeal to the Court of Appeal.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/general/news/stories/2011/feb11/10feb11/100211_1

10 February 2011

The largest independent specialist tour operator to the Portuguese island of Madeira, Atlantic Holidays, is to operate two flights this year direct from Liverpool Airport. These will be the first flights to connect the island to Liverpool. The departures will take place between 16 May 2011 and 24 October 2011, and will be operated by Monarch Airlines using an A320 aircraft.

 http://www.uk-airport-news.info/liverpool-airport-news-100211.html