Contents:
Upcoming Meetings
Forthcoming Industry Events of Interest
Editorial
Parliamentary News
Government News
London and South East News
Regional News
National and Other Industry News
European News
Upcoming Meetings
The next SASIG meeting will be held on Friday 4 March, 2016 at 11am.
Venue: Westminster Suite, Local Government House, Smith Square SW1P 3HZ, location map
Forthcoming Industry Events of Interest
12 January 2016, 18.00-19.00 – Royal Aeronautical Society 150th Anniversary Event. Debate, “This house believes there will be no need for pilots 40 years from now”. Compered by Jeremy Vine.
20 January 2016, 18.00-19.45 – Royal Aeronautical Society 150th Anniversary Event. Concorde, flying into the future!
16 February 2016, 18.00-19.00 – General Aviation Lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society. Speakers tbc.
Editorial
First of all, may I offer the Secretariat’s best wishes for the coming year to all SASIG members. We anticipate it will be a busy and significant year both in terms of aviation policy and the Group’s development. The first full membership meeting of the year is on 4 March – a date for everyone’s diaries.
The major developments reported in this December Newsletter comprise: (a) the Government’s decision ‘not to make a decision’ on which of the Airports Commission’s runway options it favours, while at the same time signalling that it does support a new runway being built – further work is to be undertaken on air quality, noise, carbon and mitigation surface access, with a final decision ‘hopefully’ to be made in summer 2016. And (b) the Government’s announcement that eleven new routes have received a total of £7m in support from the Regional Air Connectivity Fund.
There has been much speculation about, and criticism of, the reasons for delaying the runway decision, but what does seem clear is that both Airports are committed to the preparation of Development Consent Orders whilst the decision is made. For DCO’s to be formally submitted implies the need for a National Policy Statement to be published, consulted upon and adopted, which suggests it will be the end of 2016 before the form and location of new runway capacity in the South East finally becomes clear.
Chris Cain,
Head of Secretariat
Parliamentary News
7th December – Decision on Airport expansion to be put off for another six months, as ministers attached conditions (e.g. on noise and pollution levels) to options, such as those set out in a report from the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee. The decision also avoids political conflict with the two leading Mayoral candidates for the May elections.
Government News
1st December – Environmental Audit Committee report suggests Government should not give final approval to Heathrow expansion until compliance with the key environmental conditions is clear. The report can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmselect/cmenvaud/389/38902.htm
2nd December – CAA launches consultation on UK’s Transition Altitude (TA), to explore views of stakeholders on how change of TA to 18,000 ft should be implemented.
3rd December – CAA confirms appointment of Chris Tingle as Chief Operating Officer.
10th December – Government release statement confirming support for airport expansion in the south-east – they will carry out further work before concluding over the summer.
14th December – McLoughlin makes oral statement to Parliament on aviation capacity, explaining the government’s package of work to be carried out before making their decision on airport expansion in the South East.
15th December – Transport secretary insists news runway will be built by 2030 in accordance with the Airports Commission timetable, despite delay in government decision.
17th December – Written statement from Robert Goodwill to Parliament sets out items discussed at EU Transport Council, https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/eu-transport-council-17-december-2015, which was held on 10th December.
London and South East News
1st December – MPs say Heathrow expansion should face strict environmental conditions, with Government decision to be held off until key noise and emissions targets agreed.
1st December – House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report says firm plans to deal with emissions, air quality and noise must be put in place or the Government should not support building a third runway. Labour MP Huw Irranca-Davies says that if this did happen, it would be ‘irresponsible’.
1st December – Business frustrated at Government “dithering” on Heathrow decision, as a CBI spokesperson claims failure to have a new working runway by 2030 will cost UK £5.3 billion annually in lost trade to BRIC countries alone.
1st December – Government decision on third runway at Heathrow delayed until next week, as Cabinet sub-committee meeting postponed, as Cameron will hold a Commons debate on military action in Syria instead.
1st December – Capacity-constrained Heathrow backs Flybe’s RAF Northolt plan, to act as a stop-gap measure before any proposed third runway.
1st December – Gatwick option given a last-minute boost as report says Heathrow’s third runway must meet environmental conditions
3rd December – Stansted is fastest growing major UK airport, as passenger growth outstrips Gatwick and Heathrow, as it added more passengers year-on-year than both airports. Stansted added 1.2 million this year, whereas Heathrow added 900,000 and Gatwick added 1 million.
10th December – Heathrow claims it can work with Government to ensure expanded hub airport can be delivered within environmental limits, as it has full confidence in its expansion plan.
14th December – Gatwick claims it is ‘ready for expansion’ after another record month of growth, with 2.6 million passengers in November.
16th December – Heathrow bosses claim the airport “can meet its environmental targets”, as the debate over aviation capacity in the South East continues.
20th December – London City Airport put up for sale by Global Infrastructure Partners , with a huge consortium of bidders shortlisted – including the sovereign wealth fund of Kuwait.
22nd December – Luton Airport welcomes Vueling and Transavia airlines, to fly to Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam.
23rd December – Heathrow third runway activists gather outside court, to deny charges over tunnel protest, in a show of solidarity.
Regional News
1st December – EasyJet launch new route from Glasgow to Milan from Wednesday, with 26,000 passengers expected annually.
3rd December – Ryanair and Wizz Air at Liverpool John Lennon Airport report monthly increases in passenger levels. Ryanair reported a 21% increase in November, and Wizz Air reported a 25.5% increase.
3rd December – Manchester Airports Group (MAG) announces financial figures showing soaring profits. Released figures up to September 30th, showing revenue up 6% on last year.
3rd December – New route from Leeds Bradford Airport to Newquay unveiled, beginning in 2016.
3rd December – Goodwill describes new 2016 routes from Edinburgh and Dundee airports as ‘vital engines for Scotland’s economy’, as they will connect the UK and create opportunities.
9th December – Business leaders call for another look at Birmingham Airport, as Government further delays decision on aviation capacity in South East.
11th December – London City Airport says it has untapped capacity that could be used to ease overcapacity in the south east, whilst we await the government’s decision on a third runway.
11th December – Scotland’s two largest airports continue recent strong growth, with Glasgow on course to record its busiest year since 2008, and Edinburgh saw a 12.4 per cent rise in passenger numbers in November compared to the previous year.
11th December – Local MP claims Manston Airport could provide the only mid-term solution for additional air freight capacity, claiming its utilisation is “in our national interest”.
11th December – Figures released showing Heathrow expansion could create £10 billion of economic growth in the South West, with 1,600 jobs created in Swindon and Wiltshire by 2050.
11th December – Manchester Airport invites businesses to bid for contracts worth up to £500 million as part of transformation plans, as the airport issued a contract notice for the Terminal Two transformation phase.
13th December – New managing director of Cardiff Airport works on new business plan – Debra Barber aims to drive passengers beyond the 1.2 million projected for 2015, with seven key priorities.
13th December – Government announcement to delayed Heathrow runway decision welcomed in Bristol, as the airport’s Chief Executive Officer calls for regional airports not to be overlooked in the debate.
14th December – Newcastle Airport opens £14 million pound redevelopment of the departure lounge, with Mr Goodwill saying it was a reflection of airport bosses’ certainty about the site.
14th December – Glasgow Airport set to record its busiest year since the recession, with international traffic growing by 12.2% due to strong demand for new routes to eastern European cities and domestic traffic growing by 4.5%.
14th December – Year-round Leeds Bradford Airport to Guernsey airlink to begin in May 2016, run by Aurigny airline.
14th December – New railway station could open at Inverness Airport in 2017, as part of the £170 million masterplan to link the city with Aberdeen.
14th December – Edinburgh Airport Chief Executive says Scotland should rethink its relationship with London’s hubs and develop its own international links, as 26 new routes at Edinburgh airport are announced between this winter and next summer.
14th December – CityJet at London City Airport sign two-year commercial partnership with Excel events centre, offering users of the events centre to benefit from competitive air pricing and chartered flights.
15th December – Birmingham Airport achieves tenth record month this year, with 700,000 passengers and 7.1% growth year-on-year in November.
15th December – Following sustained growth in planes and passengers, 2500 jobs will be created at Manchester Airport in 2016, with recruitment beginning at a jobs fair on 13th January.
15th December – BA starts weekly service from Glasgow to Salzburg, running until 16th April 2016 to cater for the ski season.
15th December – Rail campaigners say Gatwick expansion is “vital” for regeneration of Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne. The East Sussex Rail Alliance (ESRA) calls for support for Gatwick , claiming it will directly affect the region’s ability to expand.
15th December – Plans for £700 million International Business Gateway near Edinburgh Airport submitted to City of Edinburgh Council, spreading over 90 acres of land and leading to over 7,000 jobs being created over 30 years.
15th December – Newcastle Airport aims for year-round New York flights, flying six times per week between May and September 2016.
16th December – Southampton Airport celebrates 21st birthday of passenger terminal, with quadrupled traffic at the airport since opening, and over doubled destination numbers.
16th December – New EasyJet route to Tivat (Montenegro) next summer from Manchester Airport, with 15,000 passengers expected annually.
17th December – Festive passenger numbers expected to soar at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, with over 165,000 passengers expected to fly in or out of the airport during the two week Christmas period.
17th December – Thomson launches new flights from Humberside Airport to Tenerife to fly from winter 2016, providing the airport with its first direct, regular, winter sun flights since 2008.
17th December – Emirates announces Airbus A380 will fly from Birmingham Airport from March 2016, increasing daily capacity to and from the region by 15 per cent.
17th December – Princess Royal opens redeveloped east terminal extension at Bristol Airport, which features a larger departure lounge, more shops and restaurants, and a second executive lounge.
18th December – US firm RiverOak launches bid to reopen Manston Airport, by applying for a Development Consent Order on the basis that the airport is “a project of national significance”.
19th December – Belfast International Airport expects to see 45,000 passengers using the airport this weekend, with over 150,000 passengers using the airport over the Christmas period.
21st December – North East holidaymakers flock to Newcastle Airport for Christmas getaway, with over 100,000 jet setters passing through the airport.
21st December – Blue Air launches new Glasgow to Bucharest route, from 17th December, running every Thursday and Sunday.
23rd December – £15m Norwich Aeropark plans launch delayed due to lack of funding and the building of the Northern Distributor Road (set to be completed in 2018).
23rd December – Leeds-Bradford Airport set to fly 70k passengers over Christmas and New Year, with the busiest two week period expected for the airport.
24th December – Plans for paved runway at Rochester Airport reconsidered, to avoid further delays in court.
24th December – Air France expands short-haul network with daily flights to and from Glasgow Airport, commencing on March 27th.
24th December – Newcastle to Barcelona low cost flights launched, operated by Vueling over the festive period.
29th December – Skywork Airlines offers flights to Bern and Basel from London City Airport, with seats starting at £100.
29th December – New route announced from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Guernsey, from June to September, to be run by Channel Islands – based CI Travel Group.
29th December – Qatar Airways boosting service between Doha and Manchester, bringing total number of non-stop flights per week between Manchester and Doha to 16.
29th December – 75,000 Hogmanay revellers jet into Edinburgh, coming from around 70 countries.
National and Other Industry News
3rd December – £830 million ‘wasted’ on failed E-borders project, as spending watchdogs assess flawed scheme. The scheme has been in place since 2003 to enhance checks on those entering the UK by air, rail and sea.
3rd December – Ryanair’s fleet to swell from 320 Boeing 737s to 360 in 2016, as Ryanair ramps up its deliveries.
3rd December – Ryanair report record November, with passenger carryings up by 21% to 7.71 million.
3rd December – Wizz Air passenger numbers up by 25.5% in November, just as the company expands its fleet and signs its largest ever lease agreement for 11 airbus aircraft.
3rd December – IATA reports 5% fall in average fares this year, which has spurred global air travel growth.
10th December – Government postpones airport expansion decision , until at least Summer 2016, as Transport Secretary says further research on the environmental impact is needed. A decision was previously promised by the end of 2015.
11th December – British Chambers of Commerce describe government’s delay in reaching a decision on airport capacity as “gutless”, with business leaders “tearing their hair out”. They argue that the government’s delay is damaging the UK economy.
11th December – Conservative MP describes delay of government decision as ‘pathetic’, and an act of “political cowardice”.
11th December – Heathrow Chief Executive says airport still plans to appoint designers and architects to help preparations for a new runway, pressing ahead with third runway contracts.
11th December – Zac Goldsmith claims David Cameron has abandoned plans for a third runway at Heathrow, amid concerns about a legal challenge on environmental grounds.
12th December – Heathrow Airport Chairman claims Heathrow expansion is the only way to keep Britain connected to Europe and the world
12th December – Sadiq Khan calls on Jeremy Corbyn to rule out a third runway at Heathrow, and back Gatwick instead.
14th December – Gatwick receives boost in its case for another runway, as it experiences its busiest ever November, with 2.6 million travellers using the airport.
14th December – Greater London Authority buys £3.5 million Heathrow bond, backing business at Heathrow.
14th December – Sadiq Khan calls for detailed Heathrow third runway flight paths to be published, to show which communities would experience higher levels of noise from the 200,000 additional flights each year.
15th December – Train services to and from Heathrow and Gatwick over Christmas to be disrupted by engineering works, with the Gatwick Express not running from Victoria between 10pm on Christmas Eve and 4am on January 4th 2016.
15th December – BA boss hits out at Government’s “procrastination” on airport capacity decision, warning he may take his business elsewhere, suggesting he could expand Dublin and Madrid instead.
16th December – Business bosses call for government to make a decision on the Heathrow runway by May, as they fear it will never be built.
17th December – Sir Nigel Rudd steps down as Heathrow Chairman, after the Government delays its decision again over whether to build a third runway at the airport.
17th December – Four million Britons expected to travel abroad during Christmas and new year period, according to ABTA. December 18th, 23rd and 30th will be the busiest travel dates.
30th December – Gatwick launches ‘Noise Lab’ noise monitoring system, which uses live data from sound monitors to produce community noise reports.
European News
2nd December – Goodwill welcomes new domestic and international routes from UK’s regional airports from 2016, after Chancellor’s announcement in Spending Review that 11 regions would be awarded support from the Regional Air Connectivity Fund. These regions include Newquay and Exeter.
2nd December – European airport industry pledges that 50 airports will be carbon neutral by 2030, at the UN’s COP21 environmental conference in Paris.
7th December – European Commission adopts an ‘Aviation Strategy For Europe’ , an initiative aiming to boost the European economy, strengthen its industrial base, and reinforce its position as a global leader. Includes a set of actions aiming to open up access to external markets, and addressing capacity problems, whilst maintaining high levels of security and safety.
8th December – Airports Council Europe releases October figures showing EU Airport Traffic up by 6.3% and non-EU traffic up 3.7%.
10th December – European Commission updates EU Air Safety List, further boosting air safety.
SASIG Website Additions
– “European Commission Presents a New Aviation Strategy for Europe”, added on 17th December 2015 to ‘Latest News’ section.