SASIG 2012/13 Meeting Dates
Thursday 25 October
Friday 1 March 2013
1-7 September 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government establishes Independent Aviation Connectivity Commission
The Government has asked Sir Howard Davies to Chair an Independent Aviation Connectivity Commission to identify and recommend options for maintaining this country’s status as an international hub for aviation. This commission takes the place of the ‘call for evidence’ expected as the next stage in the Government’s national aviation policy review. The Commission will provide an interim report to the Government no later than the end of 2013. By summer 2015, the final report will be published for consideration by the Government & opposition Parties. A decision on whether or not to support any of the recommendations contained in the final report will be taken by the next Government.
Department for Transport personnel
The new Secretary of State for Transport is Patrick McLoughlin.
The new Aviation Minister is Simon Burns.
The new Head of UK Aviation Policy is to be Phil Graham from mid-October (currently working on high-speed rail). John Parkinson is moving from this post to a new role within the Department as Head of International Co-operation, from 10 September with some overlap for a few weeks.
Others in the team are:
- Aviation policy, including Aviation Policy Framework – Rosie Snashall ([email protected], 020 7944 3223)
- South East airports policy, including Heathrow operational freedoms trial – Rupesh Mehta ([email protected], 020 7944 2708)
- Regional airports policy and contingencies, including slots reform – Stuart Voller ([email protected], 020 7944 3398)
- UK airspace policy – David Best ([email protected], 020 7944 4779)
- UK aviation climate change policy – Oliver Mulvey([email protected], 020 7944 5679)
David Cameron promises plans to expand Birmingham Airport will be included in airports review
BAR UK welcomes Independent Commission into airport capacity
Press Releases:
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) comments on aviation commission
Whole year wasted since Labour first proposed independent commission on aviation – Maria Eagle, Labour
Cabinet Reshuffle
A summary of the Cabinet reshuffle can be found here.
Medway Councillor claims reshuffle “strengthens case against estuary airport”
Press Releases:
Stop HS2 campaign group welcomes Patrick McLoughlin as new Transport Secretary
BAR UK welcomes change at Department of Transport
Rail, Maritime and Transport union reaction to new Transport Secretary
Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport congratulates new Secretary of State for Transport
Transport move signals “ominous change of direction” says the Scottish Green Party
Aviation All Party Parliamentary Group
West Coast Rail
Heathrow Expansion Speculation
BAA Ltd claims Nick Clegg’s call to shift Heathrow flights will break EU law
Zac Goldsmith MP threatens by-election over Heathrow
Scottish Tory leader supports 3rd runway at Heathrow
New Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps says all options will be examined on airports
Former Wales Minister, Rhodri Morgan says Wales’ economy needs Heathrow’s third runway
Government News
Chancellor rules out tax relief for struggling Durham Tees Valley Airport
Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation comments on £40bn of investment in infrastructure
Westminster Debates and Legislation
4 Sep. 2012 – Transport Select Committee – Rail 2020
The Committee heard from Association of Train Operating Companies, Network Rail, Railway Industry Association, Institute of Economic Affairs
6 Sep. 2012 – The Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill 2012-13 has been published
First reading in the House of Commons – 5 Sep 2012
Second reading in the House of Commons – 17 Sep 2012
12 Sep. 2012 – Westminster Hall debate on the aerospace industry, being brought by Ian Lucas, taking place 2:30-4:00pm.
13 Sep. 2012 – A 20 minute debate in the Commons on the Launch of the Transport Select Committee inquiry into the Government’s aviation strategy.
House of Commons Questions
Third runway at Heathrow Airport (see oral answers to questions) – McDonnell, J – 5 Sep.
Airport capacity in England and the UK – Pincher, C – 6 Sep.
Heathrow Airport passenger statistics – Goldsmith, Z – 3 Sep.
Publication
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – ‘Tranquillity: an overview’
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8-14 September 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Heathrow night flights may return to airport capacity agenda under inquiry review
Sir Howard Davies has insisted he is “genuinely undecided” over any option, but said no one had asked him to examine specific questions about mixed mode, which would bring huge increases in air traffic and noise. He said he would be scrutinising even the government’s own forecasts for growing airport demand.
Justine Greening vows to carry on fighting Heathrow despite losing her Transport brief
Boris Johnson will defy David Cameron by holding a rival inquiry into the future of aviation capacity which will specifically exclude a third runway at Heathrow
The “call for evidence” will hear views on his proposal for a new airport in the Thames estuary or expansion on alternative sites around the capital.
Boris Johnson appoints Daniel Moylan to head new City Hall aviation unit
Mr Moylan was previously Chair of the London Legacy Development Corporation.
Westminster Debates and Legislation
12 September 2012 – Aerospace Industry – The Government debated the value of the aerospace industry and the commitment to help it grow.
Press Releases
Labour will engage constructively with the independent commission on aviation – Maria Eagle, Shadow Justice Minister
Government should not duck tough choices on aviation – British Chambers of Commerce
Westminster Committees
12 September 2012 – Transport Select Committee – Department for Transport – The work of the Department for Transport and Government Policy
The Committee heard from: Patrick McLoughlin, Transport Secretary and Phillip Rutnam, Permanent Secretary, Department of Transport
10 September 2012 – Transport Select Committee – West Coast Main Line Franchise
13 September 2012 – Transport Select Committee inquiry launch – Aviation Strategy
Louise Ellman MP, Chair, Transport Committee, said: “The debate about airport capacity in the south east has recently intensified. The Government has announced that an independent commission will be set up to look at hub capacity but it is not expected to produce its final report until 2015.
We aim to influence the Government during the policy development process with sensible but challenging recommendations and to make sure that aviation policy stays high on the political agenda.”
The issues which the Committee will examine, along with an indication of the questions it will pursue, are set out in the link above.
Cabinet reshuffle
11 Sep. 2012 – Gavin Williamson MP announced as the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin. Julian Sturdy MP has been appointed PPS to Transport Minister Simon Burns. The PPS’s will work with their Secretaries of State and Ministers to deliver key Conservative policies.
House of Commons Questions
Directing the windfall from the sale of Heathrow Airport to fund the construction of a Thames Estuary Airport – Clifton-Brown, G – 13 Sep. 2012 – (see ‘Transport’)
Heathrow Airport slots to Manchester – Reckless, M – 13 Sep. 2012
Stansted Airport rail service to Cambridge – Huppert, C – 13 Sep. 2012
Plans for Liverpool Airport within the National Airport Strategy – Rotheram, S – 10 Sep. 2012 – (see ‘Transport’)
Number of passengers at London airports visiting other parts of mainland UK – Robertson, L – 7 Sep. 2012
Plans to review policy on High Speed 2 – Gillan, C – 10 Sep. 2012
UK airport capacity – Robertson, L – 7 September 2012
Maintaining and enhancing competitive in the UK aerospace industry – Wright, I – 7 Sep. 2012 (See ‘Business, Innovation and Skills’)
Publications
11 Sep. 2012 – House of Commons Transport Committee – 5th Special Report Flight time limitations: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2012–13
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15-21 September 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
London Mayor Boris Johnson orders consultants to study options for Heathrow
The Mayor has instructed engineering consultants Atkins, accountants Ernst & Young and aviation experts LeighFisher to examine a range of scenarios for Britain’s current aviation hub.
Deputy London mayor Victoria Borwick to visit Medway Council in November for estuary airport talks
£50bn fund could go to build third runway at Heathrow
Glasgow Airport write to the European Commission for support to provide extra Heathrow flights
Glasgow Airport bosses have appealed for improved connections to Heathrow, saying they are struggling to meet business and leisure demand after BMI withdrew from the route last year.
Devolving Local Major Transport Schemes: Next steps following consultation results
Westminster Debates and Legislation
13 Sep. 2012 – MPs debate Select Committee Inquiry (Aviation Strategy)
17 Sep. 2012 – Commons Second Reading – Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill
17 Sep. 2012 – MPs debate awarding the West Coast Mainline franchise
Draft Aviation Policy Framework
Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign publish their response to the Draft Aviation Policy Framework
Stop Stansted Expansion publish their draft response to the Draft Aviation Policy Framework
House of Commons Questions
Effect of HS2 on passenger numbers at Birmingham Airport – Cunningham, J – 17 Sep. 2012
Consideration on expanding Birmingham Airport – Cunningham, J – 17 Sep. 2012
Utilising airport capacity on Birmingham Airport – Lumley, K – 17 Sep. 2012 (see ‘Transport’ – ‘Airports’)
Heathrow Express maintenance depot relocation costs – Clifton-Brown – 18 Sep. 2012 (See ‘Transport’- ‘Railways: Greater London)
European Union emissions trading scheme: number of free slots allocated to the UK – Goldsmith, Z – 18 Sep. 2012
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22-28 September 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Lord Deben appointed as new Chair to Committee on Climate Change
Patrick McLoughlin gives his first major interview as Transport Secretary
The Transport Secretary revealed he is giving Boris Johnson more influence over London’s suburban railways by setting up a new joint working group and denied claims he had been brought in to deliver a third runway at Heathrow.
Publications
A summary of the National Audit Office’s work on the Department for Transport 2011-12
European News
American Senate votes to shield U.S. airlines from European Union’s carbon scheme
European Union External Aviation Policy Package – European Commission Press Release
This press release looks at the major challenges for the European aviation sector.
Transport: New horizons for European Union aviation – European Commission Press Release
The European Commission has today set out an ambitious package of proposals to boost the international competitiveness of the EU’s aviation industry by opening negotiations with key partners to access new business opportunities in the fast growing markets, developing new tools to fight unfair competition and creating the right regulatory conditions to stimulate investment.
Cabinet Reshuffle
The Department for Transport have confirmed two new Special Advisors for Transport Secretary Patrick Mcloughlin, They are:
- Special Advisor (policy): Julian Glover, formerly, Chief Speechwriter to the Prime Minister
- Special Advisor (media): Ben Mascall, formerly, Police Press Adviser, health and Education, Conservative Party
Draft Aviation Policy Framework
ABTA Submits response to the Draft Aviation Policy Framework
Press Releases
Government forced to release airport safety data – Aviation Environment Federation
The environmental Non-Governmental Organisation has won the right to see key modelling data after the Government is declared to have breached the Freedom of Information Act.
The full judgment is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office website using reference FS50449512.
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July 2011-12 CAA Airport Traffic Stats (Reported in Sept. 2012)