SASIG 2012/13 Meeting Dates
Thursday 14 June 2012 The Aviation Minister, Theresa Villiers, shall be attending.
Friday 9 November 2012
Friday 1 March 2013.
28 January – 3 February Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Competition Appeal Tribunal – British Airports Authority v Competition Commission
Having considered the legal framework, and the 2009 report and the 2011 report, the Tribunal dismissed BAA Ltd’s application of appeal.
Civil Aviation Authority publishes initial thinking on competition assessments for regulated airports
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published a summary of its initial view of the market power of the three price controlled airports: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
Westminster Debates and Legislation
Civil Aviation Bill – Commons Second Reading
In the debate, Transport Secretary Justine Greening explained that there was “compelling evidence” that the current regulatory regime was distorting competition between airlines and needed to be reformed.
Network Rail’s structures and governance
MP’s debated Network Rail’s structures and governance as a key part of the Government’s rail agenda.
House of Commons Statements
Justine Greening makes statement on Local Major Transport Schemes consultation
The Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening has given a statement launching a consultation paper to take forward discussions for deciding a new devolved system for prioritising and funding local major transport schemes for the next spending review period which have cost over £5 million.
House of Commons Questions
National Planning Policy Framework publication date – Smith, A – 30 January 2012
Air Passenger Duty comparisons with other countries – Campbell, G – 30 January 2012
Assessment of RAF Northolt for increased flights – Thomas, G – 31 January 2012
Draft Civil Aviation Bill effect on Wales – Edwards, J – 31 January 2012
Heathrow Airport breaches in night flying – Goldsmith, Z – 2 February 2012
Consultations
Department for Transport consultation on devolution of local transport
The Transport Secretary, Justine Greening has launched a consultation on new proposals to give local communities and businesses control over decisions and budgets for major local transport schemes in their areas.
The new system could potentially see decisions on capital funding for local schemes – including new local roads, public transport schemes, better pedestrian routes, and new local rail stations – devolved to democratically accountable local transport bodies.
Civil Aviation Authority consultation on change to UK airspace ‘Transition Altitude’
To enhance safety, to enable the more efficient use of airspace, and to align the management of airspace more closely with other nations, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today launched a consultation on its intention to raise and harmonise the Transition Altitude in UK airspace to 18,000ft. The consultation runs until 1 May 2012.
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4 – 10 February Parliamentary and Government News
House of Commons Questions
Noise Levels at Heathrow Airport at it’s effect on the Kingston, Putney, Richmond Park and Twickenham constituencies – Goldsmith, Z – 6 February 2012
The 2006 noise maps for Heathrow showing London noise levels are available on the Civil Aviation Authority’s website and Heathrow’s Noise Action Plan is available on its website at: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ERCD0706.pdf
http://noise.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow_noise/Assets/Downloads/Statics/2010-noise-action-plan-contours_LHR.pdf
Aviation Strategy for Northern Ireland – McCrea, W – 6 February 2012
Air Passenger Duty for Northern Ireland – Hosie, S – 7 February 2012
Long term sustainability of Regional airports – Menzies, M – 9 February 2012
Operational freedoms being considered in respect of Heathrow Airport – Fitzpatrick, J – 9 February 2012
House of Lords Questions
Flights in Scotland not subject to air passenger duty – Lord Kilclooney – 6 February 2012
Rate of VAT on each member state in the European Union on aviation fuel – Lord Mawhinney – 8 February 2012
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11 – 17 February Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Chancellor George Osborne in airport meetings with backers
Chancellor George Osborne and his officials held a string of private meetings with the backers of plans for a new airport in Kent, including the London Mayor Boris Johnson, it has emerged.
The previously undisclosed contacts stretched over a four-month period between May and August last year, according to details obtained by the multimedia company, KM Group under the Freedom of Information Act.
House of Lords Questions
Air passenger duty in the Caribbean – Baroness Benjamin – 13 February 2012
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18 – 24 February Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Department for Transport publish report on, ‘Airport Charges Regulations Policy on the Designation and De-designation of Airports With More Than Five Million Passengers’
The document details the procedure and criteria to be used when deciding whether designation of airports with more than five million passengers is warranted for the purposes of section 40 of the Airports Act 1986 (on the basis of a market power examination by the Civil Aviation Authority). For all other airports the existing policy continues to apply.
Westminster Committees
Transport Select Committee – Air Travel Organisers Licencing (ATOL) Reform
The Committee heard from: Theresa Villiers (Transport Minister) and Kate Jennings, Head of Aviation Policy Implementation Division, Department for Transport
Transport Select Committee – Flight Time Limitations
The Committee heard from: Andrew Haines, Chief Executive, Civil Aviation Authority; Kathryn Jones, Manager Flight Operations Policy, Civil Aviation Authority; Theresa Villiers MP (Transport Minister); Captain Tim Price, British Airways; David O’Brien, Director of Flight and Ground Operations for Ryanair, European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA); David Lawrence, Head of Crew Planning, Thomson Airways; Dr Rob Hunter, Head of Safety, British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA); Kris Major, Cabin Crew lead representative from BMI, Unite; and Jon Horne, Executive Board Director, European Cockpit Association
House of Commons Transport Committee – 15th Report Counting the cost: financial scrutiny of the Department for Transport 2011-12
House of Commons Questions
The effect on services to Scotland of the bid by International Airlines Group to acquire BMI – Sarwar, A – 23 February 2012
Update on the proposed takeover of BMI – Bridgen, A – 23 February 2012
Creating a national aviation plan – Fitzpatrick, J – 23 February 2012
Airport expansion in London – Hollobone, P – 23 February 2012
Future of Heathrow Airport – Malhotra, S – 23 February 2012
Airports expansion in the east of London – Elphicke, C – 23 February 2012
Assessment of Aviation capacity in the south-east – Brown, L – 23 February 2012
Additional flights associated with the Olympic Games 2012 – Eagle, M – 21 February 2012
Identifying landing slots and flight paths during the Olympics – Eagle, M – 21 February 2012
Variable air passenger duty in the UK – Edwards, J – 20 February 2012
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25 February – 2 March Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Competition Appeal Tribunal – British Airports Authority v Competition Commission
Having considered the legal framework, and the 2009 report and the 2011 report, the Tribunal dismissed BAA Ltd’s application of appeal.
Civil Aviation Authority publishes initial thinking on competition assessments for regulated airports
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published a summary of its initial view of the market power of the three price controlled airports: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
Westminster Debates and Legislation
Civil Aviation Bill – Commons Second Reading
In the debate, Transport Secretary Justine Greening explained that there was “compelling evidence” that the current regulatory regime was distorting competition between airlines and needed to be reformed.
Network Rail’s structures and governance
MP’s debated Network Rail’s structures and governance as a key part of the Government’s rail agenda.
House of Commons Statements
Justine Greening makes statement on Local Major Transport Schemes consultation
The Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening has given a statement launching a consultation paper to take forward discussions for deciding a new devolved system for prioritising and funding local major transport schemes for the next spending review period which have cost over £5 million.
House of Commons Questions
National Planning Policy Framework publication date – Smith, A – 30 January 2012
Air Passenger Duty comparisons with other countries – Campbell, G – 30 January 2012
Assessment of RAF Northolt for increased flights – Thomas, G – 31 January 2012
Draft Civil Aviation Bill effect on Wales – Edwards, J – 31 January 2012
Heathrow Airport breaches in night flying – Goldsmith, Z – 2 February 2012
Consultations
Department for Transport consultation on devolution of local transport
The Transport Secretary, Justine Greening has launched a consultation on new proposals to give local communities and businesses control over decisions and budgets for major local transport schemes in their areas.
The new system could potentially see decisions on capital funding for local schemes – including new local roads, public transport schemes, better pedestrian routes, and new local rail stations – devolved to democratically accountable local transport bodies.
Civil Aviation Authority consultation on change to UK airspace ‘Transition Altitude’
To enhance safety, to enable the more efficient use of airspace, and to align the management of airspace more closely with other nations, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today launched a consultation on its intention to raise and harmonise the Transition Altitude in UK airspace to 18,000ft. The consultation runs until 1 May 2012.
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December 2010-11 CAA Airport Traffic Stats (Reported in February 2012)