Latest Aviation Policy News
Newcastle Airport uses new software to black out wind farm effect
26 January 2011
The operator of Newcastle Airport has launched a unique radar blanking strategy that will allow for a number of potential wind farm schemes in the North East to go ahead without disrupting air traffic control. Since 2005, the airport operator has received over 250 consultations for on- and off-shore wind farms across the region. Many have the potential to affect the daily operations of its air traffic control as wind turbines can appear on the airport radar with similar markings to a moving aircraft.
In the absence of a solution to this problem, the operator has in the past had to object to schemes where an unacceptable impact was predicted. However, the radar blanking software provides a solution to this, by in effect placing a patch to cover the wind farm sites preventing turbines appearing so that they cannot be mistaken for moving aircraft.
Over the past two years, the airport operator has worked closely with the aviation industry, the renewables sector and regional partners to develop this solution. However, it is expected that there will be a limit to the number of radar blanking areas that are possible.
http://www.uk-airport-news.info/newcastle-airport-news-260111.html#
‘Co-operative Travel’ study shows effect of increased APD on long-haul flights demand
10 February 2011
Bookings to the Caribbean are down 20% according to a study by ‘Co-operative Travel’. The holiday company studied 30,000 bookings made since 1 November 2011, when the increased APD came into effect, and compared them with bookings for the same period the previous year. The results show a 17% reduction year-on-year in holidays for destinations that are between 4,000 and 6,000 miles from London.
According to its analysis, sales to the Caribbean are down 20% and sales to India have been even harder hit, down 34%. Transport Minister, Theresa Villiers, confirmed last week that the Government is examining the impact of taxation on aviation with a view to an announcement in March 2011.
http://www.uk-airport-news.info/manchester-airport-news-100211.html
IATA boss criticises UK aviation policy
10 February 2011
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General, Giovanni Bisignani, has criticised the UK Government’s aviation policy and urged it to improve its global competitiveness in air transportation. The airline association said it should take a global approach to aviation and climate change, reducing taxes, changing the economic regulatory structure for airports, and developing a proper strategy to safeguard the economic benefits of aviation.
Mr Bisignani stated in a speech in London that the UK has a great tradition of leadership in aviation. However, he felt that the industry has taken many knocks that could ultimately cause permanent damage, and he relied on the unqualified economic benefits provided by aviation as the basis for wholesale protection of the industry.
SASIG agrees that the global connectivity supplied by aviation to this island nation needs appropriate policy support, but disagrees with IATA on the detail of that policy.
Mr Bisignani said the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness report ranks the UK last out of 133 countries for cost competitiveness, 129th on fuel prices, and 121st on ticket taxes and airport charges. He said: “The economic regulatory model for airports is broken and must be urgently fixed,” adding that Heathrow was now considered to be a secondary hub.
Gatwick Airport – Airlines oppose landing fee increases
9 February 2011
Airlines operating between Guernsey and Gatwick airports are joining forces to oppose an increase in landing fees at the London airport. Guernsey airline, Aurigny, said the extra £400,000 in costs would see fares on the route increase by £2 from 1 April 2011. Malcolm Hart, Managing Director, said Gatwick’s action was squeezing out smaller airlines. The airport operator said the overall rise of 6% in fees was competitively priced and would only apply during the summer. Mr Hart said he was joining with Flybe, the Devon-based airline that also operates the route, to fight the increase.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport Ltd stated that with demand for air transport set to increase, coupled with a block on runway expansion in the South East, the operator must look at how best to make the most efficient use of a single runway. They said there would be no increase to fees for departing passengers and the aim was to encourage greater all-year round use of the runway. The spokesperson said extra fees would help to fund the £1 billion improvement works programme the operator is currently undertaking.
Birmingham Airport becomes a ‘one terminal’ airport
9 February 2011
Birmingham Airport has become a one terminal facility, with terminals one and two merged to form a single terminal for all arrivals and departures. All departing passengers will now use a new enlarged & combined security search area and single departures area with self-service and manned check-in desks. Inbound passengers will arrive into a single meeting and greeting area.
Further work at the airport will see the opening of a new duty free shopping area and fashion house in the next few months. Birmingham Airport Operations Director, Will Heynes, stated that this £13 million project puts the airport in a stronger position to attract new customers and showcase the airport as the region’s global gateway. This project will create a smoother journey through the terminal and improve overall efficiency.
http://www.uk-airport-news.info/birmingham-airport-news-090211a.html
British Airways reports that the December 2010 wintry weather cost the airline £50 million
6 January 2011
The wintry weather in December 2010 cost British Airways (BA) a total sum of £50 million official figures reveal, after the airline lost the equivalent of 12% capacity. Severe weather conditions hit the UK, Europe and North America, forcing airports to close and ground aircraft.
The airline stated that the weather disruption will not only have a financial impact on its third quarter results but that the impact will continue on into January 2011 due to cancelled return journeys over the Christmas break.
BA saw a fall in passenger numbers across its entire network of more than 10% in December 2009 or 2010, compared to the same month the previous year. Europe was the worst hit region, showing a fall of 14.2%.
ARC model airport questionnaire (SACC project)
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (6th Report, Session 2008-09): Greening Government
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (6th Report, Session 2008-09): Greening Government
The Environmental Audit Committee’s (EAC) report leans heavily on the findings of the Government’s Sustainable Development Commission (SDC), to provide a strong critical response to central Government efforts to meet emissions reductions targets.
The EAC found some progress had been made against targets for sustainable operations on the Government estate. However, in 2007–08 the Government was not on track to meet its target for the reduction of carbon emissions from its own buildings. Although the Government was on track to meet its targets for recycling and for the sourcing of electricity from renewable sources, its performance had declined from the levels achieved in 2006–07.
The Committee suggested that the Government’s ease in meeting some targets, even as its performance worsens, indicates the urgent need for more stringent targets to match the high level of ambition of recent policies on climate change and sustainable development, in particular targets that improve the sustainability of Government operations each year.
These could be met through investment in low carbon technologies and by driving the development of “green” skills in the workforce. The Government must use its buying power to drive progress towards a greener economy, and ensure a clear line of accountability in the governance of sustainable operations, with cabinet Ministers taking active roles in overseeing performance management. The EAC also recommended that a system of targets and monitoring should be extended from central Government departments and their Executive Agencies to the wider public sector, including outsourced operations.
House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee 11th Report 2008-09: Appointment of the Deputy Chairs of the Infrastructure Planning Commission
House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee 11th Report 2008-09: Appointment of the Deputy Chairs of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (Published 03.08.2009)
The Committee conducted pre-appointment hearings of the Government’s preferred candidates for the roles of Deputy Chairmen of the new Infrastructure Planning Commission, Robert Upton CBE and Dr Pauleen Lane CBE. The hearings were conducted to address concerns over a deficit in the democratic accountability of these posts when decisions on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects are made. The Committee decided, on the basis of evidence submitted by the candidates, that they were suitable for the posts. The CLG Committee’s decision is non-binding, and the relevant Minister will have the final say on appointments. Both candidates have significant experience in local government, with Mr Upton offering particular expertise in mass transit projects, and Dr Lane in highways.
South West Regional Committee, 1st Report: Impact of the economic downturn on the South West and the Government’s response
This report examined the impact of the economic downturn on the South West, and the mitigaty measures the Government has introduced. The report indicated that although the South West’s economy is perceived as being dominated by tourism and agriculture, it is heavily dependent on manufacturing, construction, and distribution, including suppliers to the aerospace industry.
Evidence from the Confederation of British Industries (SW division) was included in the report, detailing the impact of the downturn on the South West’s aviation and aerospace industry, and coming to these key conclusions:
· Passenger demand has been hit across the region for business and leisure flights, with discretionary travel notably impacted.
· Aerospace manufacture is a key industry for the South West, which has an estimated 27% of the UK industry and is home to the HQs or major facilities of 9 of the UK’s top 11 aerospace companies.
· The manufacturing sector has not yet felt the consequences of the drop in demand for new aircraft, but may experience a time lag in activity from the economic downturn. The sector fears that the mothballing of existing aircraft will hit companies’ demand once the current order book is built out.
The Committee welcomed the measures introduced by the Government, nationally and through the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) to try and support businesses, but indicated these would need to be tailored to fit the specific needs of the region, particularly small businesses. Unemployment has risen higher than the national average. The Committee suggested a wage subsidy scheme to keep people in jobs and retain skills, particularly in specialist sectors. Such a scheme would too expensive for the resources of the SWRDA, which indicated in its evidence that significant investments had already been made, particularly in the aerospace sector.
As part of the National Aerospace Technology Strategy, SWRDA has spent over £11 million and committed another £8 million on major R&D projects to strengthen the UK’s expertise in composite materials, fuel efficient engines, and advanced design technologies. These have leveraged around £140 million of external R&D funding. The Agency has been funding networking activity through the West of England Aerospace Forum, lean manufacturing programmes, a supply chain initiative and established a skills forum which together amounts to over £8 million of funding over the last five years.
The funding allocation for SWRDA is being cut over the next few years. The Committee indicated that increased demands for essential frontline services on the Agency meant the reduced budget would have a doubly negative impact.
The Committee suggested that the Regional Minister Ben Bradshaw must continue to work with partners, and those in central Government, taking the concerns of the region to the heart of Government. However the Committee was not convinced that the ministerial role added value. The report urged the new Regional Minister to demonstrate how his work has led to identifiable progress in mitigating the impact of the downturn on the region and helping prepare it for the future.