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.
31 March – 6 April Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Civil Aviation Authority announce airspace restriction to protect Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee flypast
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved a request from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to impose a Temporary Airspace Restriction around a large military flypast over Windsor on Saturday 19 May 2012 to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Aviation and Shipping to be formally included in Carbon Budgets
Aviation and Shipping is to be formally included in Carbon Budgets says Commission on Climate Change (CCC). Emissions from international aviation and shipping were initially left out of carbon budgets and the 2050 target when the Climate Change Act became Law in 2008, with the decision on inclusion delayed to 2012.
HS2 Action Alliance (HS2AA) Ltd announce decision to take Government to court over HS2
HS2AA Ltd has announced its decision to take the Government to court over High Speed 2 (HS2) following a response to appeals for funds for taking legal action over the January 2012 decision on HS2.
HS2AA said in a press release, “In a matter of a few weeks thousands of ordinary people in communities from London to Staffordshire and beyond have responded to the appeals, giving most generously, and raising the six figure sum that was needed.
Press Releases
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) UK – Tackling emissions from aviation and shipping ‘essential’
Responding to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) recommendations on including aviation and shipping in the Climate Change Act, WWF said that the Government needed to accept the proposals without delay in order to reduce emissions in these sectors and to provide long term policy certainty. Not to include these two fastest growing sources of CO2 would lead to questions about the effectiveness and integrity of the UK’s world leading climate legislation.
However, even with inclusion, aviation in particular is getting an easy ride in comparison to other sectors of the economy by only having to stabilise emissions at around 2005 levels by 2050. Nor are the non-CO2 impacts of aviation considered in the CCC’s recommendations.
Media
Sky News interview with Boris Johnson
During an interview on Sky news, Mr Johnson confirmed his opposition for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and suggested that airline industry critics should “pay tribute” to City Hall for reviving the debate on airport capacity in the south east of England.
Mr Johnson said that plans for a new runway at Heathrow were not credible and could not be successful due to the congestion in West London, adding that there was “huge potential” in the Thames Estuary for a new airport but would not specify which option he would most like to see implemented. Mr Johnson finished the interview saying that his preferred option would depend on the National Aviation Policy Review: “most of these potential runways aren’t within the Greater London area and really I’d have to be as supportive and co-operative as I can but that would be a decision effectively for Justine Greening”.
Sky News interview with Steve Ridgeway, Chief Executive Virgin Atlantic
Steve Ridgeway, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic has agreed with British Airways’ claims that air passenger duty is “bad for flying and bad for the economy”.
Mr Ridgeway highlighted the rise in air passenger duty from between 160 and 360 per cent since 2007 and criticised the duty as a tax raising initiative, disclaiming its merits as an environmental cause. Looking at the current and future position of the UK, Mr Ridgeway raised concerns that air passenger duty is projected to rise “by another 46% between now and 2016. UK is 134th out of138 countries in competitiveness of taxation and that’s not a very good place to be.”
On the issue of a third runway at Heathrow, Mr Ridgeway said: “this country has to remain competitive and every major economy needs a hub airport that works really efficiently and enables you to fly to lots and lots of destinations and the fact is that Heathrow is absolutely ram jam full, it is still the largest international airport in the world but it cannot grow.” On the Thames Estuary Airport plans, Mr Ridgeway claimed the project had cost and infrastructure issues that had not been tackled.
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7 – 13 April Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Immigration officer shortages could cause months of airport delays for passengers
The Immigration Service Union has predicted that delays at UK airports could reach three to four hours at busiest times, especially for those not carrying EU passports. Airports and airlines have warned the UK Border Agency of chaos because of the Agency’s fixed rostering system takes no account of passenger flows. In addition the Home Office is planning to cut the size of the workforce at a time when stricter controls are being used.
Border Agency’s staff don’t trust airport-scanner technology
A report published by the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee claims that the UK Border Agency’s own staff don’t trust the million pound bioscanning e-Gates installed at nine British airports, and in some cases actively discourage passengers from using them.
MPs raise fears for Heathrow Airport during Olympic Games
MPs have questioned Heathrow Airport’s ability to cope with this summer’s Olympic Games. Planes could be “left on runways” for long periods and tourists could be deterred from returning, warned the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee. The concerns were expressed in a leaked letter from the committee’s chairman, John Whittingdale, to Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
In his letter, Mr Whittingdale said two of his committee’s members – Therese Coffey and Gerry Sutcliffe – had attended a briefing by Heathrow operator BAA Ltd concerning the company’s preparations for London 2012. Mr Whittingdale said they had reported back that, while BAA Ltd considered the big challenge was the departure of spectators at the end of the Olympics, the two MPs “did not leave the briefing confident that Heathrow was ready to cope with the arrival of a huge number of competitors, Olympic family and visiting tourists in timely fashion”.
Press Releases
Labour – Concerns about long queues at passport control at Heathrow during the Olympics
Tessa Jowell, (Shadow Olympics Minister), responding to concerns about long queues at passport control at Heathrow during the Olympics, said:
“It is very worrying that the UK Border Agency (UKBA) does not believe there will be sufficient funding to keep passport stations open to prevent visitors waiting in long queues. Tourism could be adversely affected for years to come if people have to wait for an unacceptably long time to get through border control. Theresa May should urgently review the resources available for UKBA at Heathrow during the Olympic and Paralympic period. Failure to act will put at risk all the economic benefits that the Olympics has the potential to bring.”
Chris Bryant (Shadow Immigration Minister) added:
“This is yet more evidence of the chaotic way the Government is handling UKBA and the border force.
“The Government must realise the two priorities of security and our international reputation during the Olympics require sufficient resources and management of the border force.
“This is the biggest security and logistical challenge the UK has faced for many years. It is vital the Government does not short change our border security or our tourism industry.”
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14 – 20 April Parliamentary and Government News
Events and Speeches
Theresa Villiers (Transport Minister) – Transport Times Aviation Conference
Westminster Committees
Committee on air transport strategy for Northern Ireland
The Committee heard from: Mr John Doran, Managing Director, Belfast International Airport; Mr Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive, George Best Belfast City Airport; Mr Damien Tierney, Managing Director, City of Derry Airport; Mr Clive Coleman, Technical Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff; and Mr Albert Harrison OBE, Non-executive Director, City of Derry Airport.
Energy and Climate Change Committee – 12th Report: Consumption-Based Emissions Reporting Volume II Published
House of Commons Questions
Policy on mixed mode operations at Heathrow Airport – Goldsmith, Z – 16 April 2012
Value of the aerospace industry in the UK – Ashworth, J – 16 April 2012
Policy on a Thames Estuary Airport – Kwarteng, K – 16 April 2012
Discussions on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme – Kwarteng, K – 16 April 2012
Assessment of air pollution on a third runway at Heathrow Airport – Goldsmith, Z – 16 April 2012
Effect of EU Emissions Trading Scheme on the volume of traffic at UK airports – Kwarteng, K – 16 April 2012
Civil Aviation Bill discussions with Belfast International and Belfast George Best airports – Shannon, J – 16 April 2012
Development of the former Radlett aerodrome site – Clappison, J – 17 April 2012
Easing night flight restrictions for Airbus A380s at Heathrow Airport – Goldsmith, Z – 19 April 2012
Plans for airport expansion in the South-East of England – Hughes, S – 19 April 2012
Discussions on China’s suspension of Airbus orders – Kwarteng, K – 19 April 2012
Effect of inclusion in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme – Kwarteng, K – 19 April 2012
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21 – 27 April Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Ex-borders chief calls for passport checks to be cut as Olympic official complains of three-hour delay
Former head of UK Border Agency Brodie Clark said frontline immigration staff were becoming little more than ‘box-tickers and rules followers’ as a result of the policy.
Home secretary Theresa May meets with airline body British Air Transport Association (BATA) to discuss concerns about passport control points
Airlines fear that depleted staffing could lead to gridlock at airports during peak travel times such as the London Olympic Games, when 500,000 overseas visitors are due to visit Britain.
European Parliament begins scrutiny of EU airport noise rules
In December, the EU presented its “Better Airports” legislation package, which it said is “a comprehensive package of measures to help increase the capacity of Europe’s airports, reduce delays and improve the quality of services offered to passengers”. The European Parliament will soon start scrutinising the draft regulation.
Alison Munro re-appointed as Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd
Alison Munro has been re-appointed as the Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, the independent company set up by the Government to deliver a high-speed rail network between London and the North of England.
Home Office tries to ban Heathrow airport from distributing a leaflet explaining the on-going delays at immigration
On Saturday airport operator BAA Ltd issued a leaflet apologising to passengers for the “very long delays” and they “deserved a warmer welcome”. The leaflet suggested that passengers should complain to the Home Office.
House of Commons Questions
Effects of China’s suspension of Airbus orders – Tami, M – 23 April 2012
Official response from the Labour party on Sustainable Framework for UK Aviation – Maynard, P – 23 April 2012
Departmental meetings on the Thames Estuary Airport – Reckless, M – 23 April 2012
Air passenger duty in the North-East – McKinnell, C – 24 April 2012
Effect of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme on jobs – Tami, M – 24 April 2012
Air Quality in London during the Olympic Games – McDonnell, J – 26 April 2012
Meetings on the continuity of air services to and from Scotland – Lazarowicz, M – 26 April 2012
House of Lords Questions
Numbers of freight and domestic flights in London Airports – Lord Laird – 23 April 2012
Press Releases
Client Earth – Government called to Court of Appeal on air pollution
Green Party Response – London’s air pollution worst in Europe; similar to Beijing
Westminster Debates and Legislation
Commons Report Stage – Civil Aviation Bill
Events
The EU Emissions Trading System: moving towards phase 3 – Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum Keynote Seminar – 29th November 2012 Central London
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February 2011-12 CAA Airport Traffic Stats (Reported in April 2012)