Editorial
Monthly Highlights
Forthcoming Events (SASIG Meetings & External Conferences)
Parliamentary News
Parliamentary Questions
Government News
London & South East News
Regional News
National & Other Industry News
European News
SASIG Website Additions (May)
Editorial
With the news still dominated by the EU Referendum, even the elections on 5th May and Queens Speech on the 18th of the month, brought only momentary lulls to what feels less like a debate and more a full scale ideological battle with ‘blue on blue’ hostilities repeatedly to the for. With the Magna Carta, English Civil War, Hitler, World War III, the NHS and rubber boated Albanian invaders crossing the Channel all thrown into the fray, questions about what would happen to UK aviation in the event of Brexit are probably far to parochial to interest anybody outside the industry, but it is to be hoped someone is giving the matter some thought as it one of the sectors most likely to be affected significantly if there is a vote to leave later this month.
Perhaps no surprise then that in separate PQs this month Government Ministers have been preparing the ground for delays to a runway decision, with or without Brexit:
“… we must take the time to get the decision right on a preferred scheme”.
“… it was also announced that the Department for Transport would undertake a package of further work, which it anticipates will conclude over the summer. …”
Since in civil service parlance the ’Summer’ runs from July to September, they have clearly taken no notice of the Transport Select Committee’s 4th May injunction to make a rapid decision on the location of a new south east runway and sort out the problems later. Indeed, don’t expect any kind of announcement until September and a post referendum re-shuffle; and if the vote on 23rd June is to leave, all bets are likely to be off on the date of an announcement as a lot more work will be needed to determine the UK’s position vis-à-vis the Single European Sky, EASA, future bi-laterals etc and because Boris Island may once again hove into view, championed by its even more powerful namesake.
Against this background, the launch of Heathrow’s election style Manifesto and its regional role out, secured relatively little coverage in the national press, although it has been getting more traction outside the South East. As did Gatwick groups and MPs handing in new report to 10 Downing Street. That suggests an expanded Gatwick could present worst air quality for a much wider area than Heathrow – due to the lack of sufficient transport infrastructure.
And finally, as the Brexit and Remain armies send their latest salvos to and fro over the airwaves, it has probably gone unnoticed that the Queens speech included plans for commercial spaceports in the UK and DfT rejected calls from the Transport Select Committee for Government to accept a greater role in improving rail connections and other surface access links to airports. The latter is an issue SASIG will be taking up with DfT based on the work its Surface Access Technical Working Group.
Chris Cain,
Head of Secretariat
Monthly Highlights
– All three SASIG Technical Working Groups have now been held. The Secretariat will be reporting on the discussions to CAG in June and then the full membership meeting in July. The CAG meeting has been postponed until 15 June.
– Heathrow launched an election style manifesto on 23rd May built around five new pledges associated with an approval for a third runway – to create jobs, connect businesses to global growth, improve domestic connections, be a better neighbour and secure a lasting legacy for future generations.
– A new Director of Aviation has been appointed by DfT (although not yet announced externally) – His name is Dan Micklethwaite, and he is currently Head of Transport at the Treasury. Dan takes up his new role from 25th July. SASIG will looking to secure an early meeting with the new Director.
– SASIG have again been asked to participate in pre-consultation focus groups; this time on Night Noise. We have also been invited to their External Advisory Group.
– And finally, Rebecca Crawford from the Secretariat gave birth to a son on Tuesday, 17th May. Her fourth child, SASIG sends Rebecca and her family our warmest congratulations and we look forward to welcoming her back to the fold later in the year.
Forthcoming Events
SASIG – Future Meetings
15th June – Chairman’s Advisory Group Meeting – LGA, London
8th July – Next full SASIG Meeting – LGA, London
8th September – Next TWG-Surface Access, LGA, London (TBC)
22nd September – Next TWG-Environment, Planning & Airspace, LGA, London (TBC)
6th October – Next TWG-Airports, Cities & Economic Growth, LGA, London (preceding CAG meeting- both TBC)
External Conferences & Events
6th June – Heathrow Focus Group, Room H2, Dft, Gt. Minster House, 33, Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR. (1 x SASIG member only)
8th-9th June – British-Irish Airports Expo, NEC Birmingham, NEC, Birmingham: This inaugural event which is designed to all industry suppliers and service providers of all sizes to showcase their latest solutions and concepts, is recommended to SASIG members in addition to 150 exhibitors because there is good speaker programme and entrance is free.
10th June – Stansted Focus Group, Room H2, Gt. Minster House, 33, Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR. (2 x SASIG members only)
20th June – 14:30 – 16:30 hrs – DfT Aviation External Advisory Group meeting at Great Minister House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR
12th July – DEFRA Noise Team/Stakeholder Meeting – 2-3.30pm, Room 806, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.
13th July – British Board of General Aviation (BBGA) House of Commons Reception. The event provides an opportunity to meet with Ministers, MPs and other Government officials who support and help in the endeavour to make General Aviation work for the economy of UK and Europe.
11th-17th July – Farnborough Air Show. The biennial Farnborough air show is the year’s biggest aviation event. Impressive flying and static displays, four large exhibition halls and dozens of chalets make this one of the must-attend spectaculars.
Conferences
20th – 22nd June 2016: ACI Europe General Assembly, Congress & Exhibition 2016, Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso, Athens, Greece. Addresses the most important issues facing the aviation industry, typically attracting senior executives from airports, airlines, national and European C-level legislators, regulators, consultants, suppliers and the media.
13th July 2016: The Future for Transport Policy in the North – Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum. (Please note this seminar will be held in Central Manchester). Following the establishment of Transport for the North (TfN), which is set to become a statutory body by 2017, this seminar will provide an opportunity to discuss the development of transport policy for the North of England and the next steps for regional devolution of powers more widely.
5th Sept 2016: Implementing Airport Expansion in the South East – Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum.
26th September 2016: Runways UK 2016, London. Timed to coincide with an expected update from Govt. on the Airports Commission recommendation. Core themes to include improving surface access, achieving modal shift, air quality and noise. (Please note this date has been changed from 13th September).
24th-27th September 2016: The 22nd World Route Development Forum, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. In 2016 World Routes will return to China, hosted by Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
Parliamentary News
Parliamentary Questions
Q1. Question (35413) asked by Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) on 25th April 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2016 to Question 34715, and with reference to paragraph 15.20 of the Airports Commission Final Report, published in July 2015, what response he has made to the Airports Commission’s recommendation that the Government should alter its guidance to allow Public Service Obligation subsidies that specify airports both origin and destination”.
A. Question answered by Robert Goodwill on 4th May 2016: “The criteria for Public Service Obligations (PSOs) are determined by regulations agreed at the European level. We are carefully considering the Airports Commission’s recommendation to extend the scope of PSOs”.
Q2. Question (35553) asked by Sir Greg Knight (East Yorkshire) on 26th April 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to further restrict the use of drones to ensure (a) the safety of aircraft and (b) privacy of members of the public”
Robert Goodwill on 4th May 2016: “There are existing regulations in place that require users of drones to maintain direct, unaided visual contact with their vehicle and to not recklessly or negligently cause or permit their craft to endanger any person or property. There are also tough existing penalties, including up to five years imprisonment for endangering an aircraft. Guidance on tackling the risks of criminal drone use has been provided to constabularies across the UK. The Secretary of State has written to the Police to request their assistance in raising awareness of drone risks and restrictions. The Department continues to work with the CAA and industry partners to assess the safety risk of drones. It is also currently working with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to develop consistent, EU-wide safety rules for drones. A public consultation is planned for the summer. This will look at a range of options including registration and licensing options, and the potential for restrictions on purchase and use. Operators of drones that might collect personal data must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) unless a relevant exemption applies. The requirements of the DPA are regulated by the independent Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and their website provides clear guidance to operators”.
Q3. Question (HL7941) asked by Baroness Randerson on 25th April 2016: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will outline the decision-making process following their expected announcement on airport expansion in the South East, and at what stage in that process there will be a vote in Parliament”.
Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon on 6th May 2016: “On 14 December 2015, the Government formally announced that it accepted the Airports Commission’s case for new runway capacity in the South East, as well as the Commission’s three shortlisted schemes. At the same time, it was also announced that the Department for Transport would undertake a package of further work, which it anticipates will conclude over the summer. Alongside this, they would prepare an airports national policy statement as the framework for implementing decisions on airport capacity in line with the Planning Act 2008. National policy statements are designated in Parliament, at which point there can be a vote”.
Q4. Question (HL7942) asked by Baroness Randerson on 25th April 2016: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to consult on a replacement regime once the current night-flight regime comes to an end in October 2017, and when that consultation is expected to take place”.
Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon on 6th May 2016: “The Government intends to consult on a new night flights regime later this year”.
Q5. Question (HL7943) asked by Baroness Randerson on 25th April 2016: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what basis they intend to decide how much public funding to put into the new transport infrastructure that would be required if there is to be expansion at Heathrow, and whether the same approach could apply to infrastructure improvements required if there is expansion at Gatwick”.
Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon on 6th May 2016: “The Government’s 2013 Aviation Policy Framework makes clear that developers should pay the costs of upgrading or enhancing road, rail or other transport networks or services where there is a need to cope with additional passengers travelling to and from expanded or growing airports. Where the scheme has a wider range of beneficiaries, the Government will consider, along with other relevant stakeholders, the need for additional public funding on a case-by case basis. The Government’s approach would be the same for each of three short-listed options for airport expansion considered by the Airports Commission”.
Q6. Question (36083) asked by Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) on 28th April 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the remit of the Cross-Government Working Group on drones is; when it has met; and who has attended each meeting of that group”.
Robert Goodwill on 9th May 2016: “I refer the Honourable Member to my answer given on 25th January UIN 23389:
Noting that the first meeting in 2016 took place in March not February and the below additions to the membership of the group:
Department for International Development
Surveillance Commissioner
UK Fire Service
Police
Border Force
Q7. Question (36048) asked by Jim Shannon (Strangford) on 28th April 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Assembly on increasing connectivity with Northern Ireland through expansion of Heathrow”.
Robert Goodwill on 9th May 2016: “There have been no recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Assembly on increasing connectivity with Northern Ireland through expansion of Heathrow”.
Q8. Question (36098) asked by Caroline Ansell (Eastbourne) on 28th April 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has formally accepted the recommendations made by the Airports Commission in its report published in July 2015 on night flights and the ruling out of a fourth runway at Heathrow Airport; and if he will make a statement”.
Robert Goodwill on 9th May 2016: “A number of important decisions on airport capacity were taken by the Government in December, including to accept the case for expansion in the South-East. However, we must take the time to get the decision right on a preferred scheme. The Government is further considering the environmental impacts and the best possible measures to mitigate the impacts of expansion. We anticipate this work will conclude by summer 2016”.
Q9. Question (36423) asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) on 4th May 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what account his Department has taken of the additional costs of insulating and ventilating schools and hospitals affected by the new flightpaths of a third runway in estimating the cost of a third runway at Heathrow Airport”.
Robert Goodwill on 9th May 2016: “In its Final Report the Airports Commission recommended that support for schools, including insulation of school buildings, should be a priority component of Heathrow Airport Limited’s community compensation package. The Government is continuing to consider the comprehensive evidence published by the Airports Commission before reaching a view on its preferred scheme. In December the Government announced that we are undertaking a package of further work on developing the best possible package of measures to mitigate the impacts of expansion on local communities. This work includes the impact on schools”.
Q10. Question (36424) asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) on 4th May 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to source additional funding for any shortfall in funding between what Heathrow Airport Limited commits to pay for a third runway and the estimated cost”.
Robert Goodwill on 9th May 2016: “All of the promoters have proposed privately-funded schemes, and as privately-owned companies we expect airports to fund the development of new airport capacity fully”.
Q11. Question (904995) asked by Dr Tania Mathias (Twickenham) on 9th May 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the potential effect of airport expansion on the UK’s climate change goals”.
Robert Goodwill on 12th May 2016: “Department for Transport officials are engaging closely with colleagues in the Department for Energy and Climate Change and any decision regarding future airport capacity will take into account the Government’s obligations under the Climate Change Act. On 14 December 2015 the Secretary of State for Transport announced that the Government would undertake a package of further work, including on measures to mitigate carbon impacts and address sustainability concerns, particularly during construction. This further work will conclude by the summer”.
Q12. Question (3689) asked by Ruth Cadbury (Brentford & Isleworth) on 10th May 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 May 2016 to Question 36423, whether the package of measures to mitigate the impact of Heathrow Airport expansion on local communities will relate to new as well as existing schools and hospitals”.
Robert Goodwill on 12th May 2016: “The Airports Commission’s recommendations for mitigation included a strong package for schools and community buildings. We are carefully considering the evidence and discussing with promoters to ensure the best possible package of mitigation in this area is delivered”.
Q13. Question (HL60) asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick on 18th May 2016: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the timetable for deciding whether to allow a third runway at Heathrow”.
Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon on 24th May 2016: “A number of important decisions on airport capacity were taken by the Government in December, including to accept the case for expansion in the South-East. However, we must take the time to get the decision right on a preferred scheme. The Government is further considering the environmental impacts and the best possible measures to mitigate the impacts of expansion, this work will conclude by summer 2016”.
Q14. Question (37444) asked by Ian Paisley (North Antrim) on 18th May 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what account he plans to take of the construction of C-Series planes by Bombardier in Northern Ireland in any decision on London City Airport accommodating C-Series or similar planes on its proposed new taxiway”.
Robert Goodwill on 27th May 2016: “Ministers have a statutory role in the planning process with regard to transport related planning applications raised on appeal. It would therefore be seen as prejudicial, to comment on or discuss, matters relating to London City airport that are subject to a planning inquiry”.
Q15. Question (HL20) asked by Baroness Featherstone on 18th May 2016: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding is available for research and development into sustainable aviation fuels”.
Q16. Question (HL21) asked by Baroness Featherstone on 18th May 2016: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the carbon savings that could result from increasing the use of biofuels in UK aviation”.
Both questions (HL20 & HL21) grouped together and answered by Lord Ahmed on 2nd June 2016: “The Government believes sustainable aviation fuels are of strategic importance, both in reducing carbon emissions and to drive the development of an advanced biofuels industry in the UK. Those developing sustainable aviation biofuels were eligible to apply for funding under the Department’s Advanced Biofuel Demonstration Competition, the winners of which were announced last September. In early 2015 a Transport Energy Taskforce including aviation industry experts considered, amongst other things, the potential for sustainable aviation fuels to contribute to our climate change commitments to 2030 and beyond. Further to that work we are planning to consult on potential changes to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation later this year, including to make renewable fuels used in aviation eligible for reward under the scheme”.
Q17. Question (HL174) asked by Lord Marlesford on 19th May 2016: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that all employees at British airports with access to aircraft are being vetted to ensure that they do not constitute a security risk”.
Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon on 23rd May 2016: “All employees with access to a security restricted area of an UK airport and access to aircraft undergo, as a minimum, background and criminal record checks, on recruitment and thereafter. Those undertaking aviation security duties are subject to additional security vetting. We keep our aviation security measures under constant review in light of new threat information from a wide range of sources”.
Q18. Question (37874) asked by Dr. Tania Mathias (Twickenham) on 23rd May 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government is taking steps to reduce the number of flights between non-UK airports entering UK airspace”.
Robert Goodwill on 26th May 2016: “The Government is not seeking to reduce the number of overflights in UK airspace. The ability to overfly UK airspace is a freedom of the air which we have granted to other signatories of the International Air Services Transit Agreement as well as non-signatory States on a bilateral basis”.
Q19. Question (37794) asked by Anna Turley (Redcar) on 23rd May 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many annual flight movements between airports in the North East and (a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick Airport took place in each year between 2000 and 2015”.
Question answered by Robert Goodwill on 26th May 2016: “Information on the number of flights between the North East and Heathrow and Gatwick are contained in the tables below:
| Year | Heathrow | Gatwick |
| 2000 | 6,300 | 3,610 |
| 2001 | 6,070 | 3,240 |
| 2002 | 6,090 | 2,950 |
| 2003 | 6,080 | 2,870 |
| 2004 | 6,420 | 2,790 |
| 2005 | 6,910 | 2,870 |
| 2006 | 6,270 | 3,140 |
| 2007 | 6,450 | 1,810 |
| 2008 | 6,020 | 1,970 |
| 2009 | 4,310 | 2,430 |
| 2010 | 3,590 | 2,300 |
| 2011 | 4,090 | 2,100 |
| 2012 | 3,980 | 1,900 |
| 2013 | 3,910 | 1,770 |
| 2014 | 4,070 | 1,210 |
| 2015 | 4,180 | 260 |
|
|
Heathrow | Gatwick | ||
| Last/next airport | Durham Tees Valley | Newcastle | Durham Tees Valley | Newcastle |
| 2000 | 2,430 | 3,870 | 40 | 3,570 |
| 2001 | 2,090 | 3,980 | – | 3,240 |
| 2002 | 2,080 | 4,010 | – | 2,950 |
| 2003 | 1,990 | 4,090 | – | 2,870 |
| 2004 | 2,120 | 4,300 | – | 2,790 |
| 2005 | 2,150 | 4,750 | 100 | 2,770 |
| 2006 | 2,010 | 4,260 | 500 | 2,650 |
| 2007 | 2,390 | 4,070 | 10 | 1,800 |
| 2008 | 1,990 | 4,030 | – | 1,960 |
| 2009 | 450 | 3,860 | – | 2,430 |
| 2010 | – | 3,590 | – | 2,300 |
| 2011 | – | 4,090 | – | 2,100 |
| 2012 | – | 3,980 | – | 1,900 |
| 2013 | – | 3,910 | – | 1,760 |
| 2014 | – | 4,070 | – | 1,210 |
| 2015 | – | 4,180 | – | 260 |
Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Government News
4th May – Transport Select Committee wants rapid decision on runway location – then sort out the problems later. The Commons Transport Select Committee, chaired by Louise Ellman has published a report that wants the government to make a rapid decision on the location of a new south east runway.
13th May – DfT rejects calls for greater role in improving airport rail connections. In response to TSC report in February, DfT says it believes a number of the recommendations either fall outside its remit or are already covered by existing work in this area.
16th May – New Director of Aviation appointed. Dan Micklethwaite has been appointed as the new Director of Aviation within DfT and will begin his role on 25th July. (Internal source).
London and South East News
3rd May – British Airways returns to JFK from Gatwick. BA launches Gatwick to New York JFK, a resumption of a route which was last flown in 2009.
3rd May – New eco-friendly jet makes debut at Stansted. First Dreamliner to ever operate passenger flights from Stansted is one of quietest and most fuel efficient passenger planes flying today.
3rd May – Gatwick Chairman confirms no public disclosure of flight paths until after the public consultation of the Gatwick Arrivals Review closes. There’s concern that without any input from affected communities/other organisations it will only be NATS and Gatwick that have any say over how the arrivals flight paths are set.
3rd May – Heathrow’s Environmental Record Earns Four Carbon Trust Standards. It is the only airport in the world to hold 4 certifications at once.
4th May – Gatwick Airport responds to Transport Committee report on airport expansion. Gatwick Airport today responded to the Transport Committee Third Report 2015-16: Airport expansion in the South East.
4th May – Heathrow makes statement on Transport Select Committee report. Airport spokesperson said: “The real, independent evidence continues to point towards Heathrow”.
4th May – London City Airport launches flights to Bergerac in France. Journey will take 2.5 hours making it the quickest journey yet between London and Bergerac.
5th May – Alitalia introduce a fifth daily service between London City Airport and Milan. Time taken from the heart of London to the heart of Milan will be less than two hours.
5th May – Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways’ owner IAG, says ministers should not be bound to the Heathrow third north-west runway proposal. He wants the Heathrow Hub option (extending the northern runway to the west) given proper consideration, as it would be cheaper.
7th May – Police launch crackdown at Gatwick Airport to cut down the number of people boarding flights drunk in the summer. Gatwick Airport Policing Team said they deal with disruptive passengers all year round but recognise the problem tends to peak in summer.
10th May – Luton Airport passes 13 million passenger milestone in last 12 months. The latest record month means first time ever that the airport has passed that mark.
10th May – Transport Minister’s visit marks a successful first year at Aerozone Stansted. Minister was able to see the range interactive activities on offer at the centre and meet some of the 150 airport staff who have volunteered at the site since it opened.
11th May – Heathrow has announced it will meet and, in most cases, exceed the conditions set out in the Airports Commission’s recommendation for Heathrow expansion. CEO John Holland-Kaye writes to the Prime Minister with a plan to help him make the right choice.
11th May – Heathrow offers to curb night flights as it fights to build third runway. The pledge comes ahead of a government decision expected this summer on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick.
11th May – Stansted reports its busiest April for nine years. Total represents an increase of 2.7% compared with a year earlier, making it the airport’s busiest April since 2007.
12th May – Gatwick Airport has responded to Heathrow’s announcement by reasserting that Gatwick remains the only expansion plan that can actually deliver for the UK. CEO Stewart Wingate said: “After decades of uncertainty the time has come to back an option that can actually happen.”
13th May – London Stansted Airport wins Best Individual Community Project at the 2016 National CSR Awards. Receives award for its pioneering community partnership to reduce aircraft noise for over 4,000 people living close to the airport.
16th May – Heathrow Airport bosses to net bonus if third runway awarded. Annual report of Heathrow Airport Holdings states that during 2015 “ new bonus scheme was launched based on EBITDA, passenger service and airport expansion over the Q6 period” which runs from 2014 to 2020.
16th May – Gatwick groups and MPs hand in new report to 10 Downing Street. The report raises the fact that an expanded Gatwick could present worst air quality for a much wider area than Heathrow currently – due to the lack of sufficient transport infrastructure.
17th May – Mayor Khan signals his support for London City Airport expansion. Reverses Boris Johnson’s block on the purchase of public land – but view of planning inspector is still awaited.
17th May – Today marks the 80th anniversary of the very first flight from Gatwick Airport, to Paris. Airport celebrates 80th anniversary of first flight and serves 41 million passengers annually for the first time ever.
May 18th – London Heathrow hires dedicated cycle officer. Attempt to persuade 16,500 local employees who live within 5km (3 miles) of the airport to cycle to work.
May 19th – London City Airport expansion would heap ‘more daily misery’ on Waltham Forest residents. Waltham Forest council’s deputy leader has called an inquiry to reject Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) that would pave the way for airport expansion.
20th May – London Heathrow Airport bid could spell 5000 Northern Ireland jobs claims airport CE John Holland-Kaye. Says air links with Belfast International Airport could also be restored if the London hub is permitted to build a third runway.
23rd May – Heathrow launches ‘election-style’ manifesto. Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye today pledged to secure the economic future of families across all of Britain if the airport is allowed to expand.
23rd May – Flexjet Legacy 500 certified to fly into London City Airport. Flexjet LLC´s Embraer Legacy 500 has landed at LCA, one of the world´s most technically difficult, the company said.
25th May – Gatwick on track to become the UK’s most sustainable airport. The ‘Decade of Change’ report tracks Gatwick Airport’s progress on a series of sustainability targets.
26th May – British Airways launches first flights from Stansted Airport. It is the first time BA has operated from Stansted, now the fourth London airport on its network, and the summer-only services will run until the end of October.
Regional News
2nd May – Drone users warned not to interfere with Coventry Airport planes. Users whose drones interfere, could face a potential five-year prison sentence, warns CAA.
3rd May – Newcastle Airport confirmed two Typhoon fighters were dispatched to intercept Air France Cityjet flight not responding to ATC calls. Fighter aircraft accelerated to supersonic speed causing sonic booms throughout Yorkshire.
3rd May – BMI regional adds Jersey route. Bmi regional will start a new seasonal route from Bristol to the island of Jersey on July 16th.
3rd May – Scanner failure causes Birmingham Airport delays. Manual security checks were carried out after technical problems caused scanners and metal detectors to fail twice.
3rd May – Southampton Airport welcomes Ibiza as first new route for summer 2017. Thomson and First Choice have announced increased capacity at Southampton airport for their summer 2017 flying programme.
3rd May – First British Airways Dreamliner arrives for maintenance at BA Maintenance, Cardiff Airport. The Boeing 787-8 arrived from Heathrow shortly after 19:30.
4th May – Southampton Airport welcomes Ibiza as first new route for summer 2017. Thomson and First Choice have announced increased capacity at Southampton airport for their summer 2017 flying programme.
4th May – Inverness-Heathrow flights resume after long absence. British Airways flight landed at Inverness Airport, resuming flights between Heathrow and Inverness after almost 18 years.
4th May – Glasgow Airport celebrates 50th anniversary. The Cherokee 6 aircraft which was the first to touch down at Glasgow in May 1966 made a return as part of the airport’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
6th May – Dublin Airport short-listed for award. Dublin Airport has been short listed for ACI Europe’s prestigious ‘Best Airport Award’, in the airports with over 25 million passengers per annum category.
7th May – Almost 100 laser attacks on planes at Birmingham Airport recorded last year. It was the second highest number after Heathrow who had 121 attacks according to CAA figures.
9th May – 11 month’s consecutive growth at Cardiff Airport. Passenger numbers have increased significantly for the month of April 2016 ending 40% up versus the same month last year.
9th May – Liverpool John Lennon Airport staff celebrate runway’s 50th anniversary. Whilst the Airport itself opened in July 1933, the runway used today was officially opened on 7th May 1966.
11th May – Birmingham Airport celebrates record breaking April. Passenger figures for April have shown airport has recorded 14 consecutive months of record breaking growth.
11th May – Exhibition and conference centre to open at Farnborough Airport. Airport has unveiled details of its new centre due to open in 2018 at the airport in Hampshire.
11th May – Manchester Airport celebrates 25th month of consecutive growth. Host of new services drove passenger numbers close to the 2m mark.
12th May – Airline Vueling has announced extra flights to Switzerland for Liverpool fans wanting to get to Europa League final against Seville. Airline will operate two flights from John Lennon Airport to Basel on the day of the final, Wednesday, May 18th.
May 12th – ‘Disruptive passenger’ arrested at Manchester Airport. A female passenger punched a pilot in the face after being ordered to leave his plane before the departure of the easyJet flight to Cyprus on Wednesday.
13th May – Wizz Air launches direct flights from Aberdeen to Warsaw today. It will be the first time Warsaw has been served as a destination from Aberdeen International Airport.
May 14th – Calls for Leeds/Bradford airport rail link are renewed. Calls for an airport rail link are being renewed after Government decision to scrap the Leeds trolleybus scheme.
15th May – Edinburgh Airport achieves rise in passenger numbers in April. Figures boosted by international traffic as domestic business showed a dip, latest monthly figures reveal.
16th May – KLM lands in Southampton and celebrates first flight. This morning, Southampton Airport welcomed KLM’s inaugural flight from Amsterdam.
16th May – The number of train services running from Chester to Manchester Airport will triple from today. Arriva say the extension will bring ‘strong economic benefits,’ as well as improved access to the airport for many North Wales residents.
16th May – Flybe is to launch new routes from Scotland to Cornwall. Saturday flights from Glasgow and also Aberdeen to Cornwall, will operate May to September.
16th May – MEP visits Yorkshire’s Gateway airport ahead of EU referendum next month. Richard Corbett, Yorkshire and Humber MEP visited airport to learn about its future development plans and to talk about Britain’s EU membership ahead of the EU referendum.
17th May – Passenger numbers rise in April at Dublin Airport. More than 2.2 million passengers used Dublin Airport in April, a 10% increase on the same period last year.
17th May – Flybe releases final phase of its expanded 2016-17 winter programme of flights from Cardiff. It includes daily flights to Dublin and a new service to Berlin.
18th May – Glasgow Prestwick all set to help Government deliver its commitment to establishing the UK and Europe’s first spaceport. The Queen set out the programme for Parliament in her speech today which will include plans for commercial spaceports in the UK.
18th May – Bristol Airport serves 7 million in 12 months. The airport is now the ninth busiest in the UK and the fifth largest outside London.
19th May – Leeds Bradford Airport will resume flights to Berlin. Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks are to re-start twice weekly flights from November 25th.
19th May – New Solar farm to provide much of Belfast International Airport’s power. Northern Ireland’s first large-scale solar farm has been completed in Antrim and will provide as much as a third of the airport’s needs.
19th May – Delays on runway decision is an ‘economic ticking time bomb’. Was the view of a summit hosted by Liverpool and Sefton Chambers of Commerce by Let Britain Fly, a national campaign to expand airport capacity in London and the South East.
20th May – Captain of flight from Manchester Airport to Spain asks police to remove unruly passengers. Groom and his friends are thrown off flight for abusive behaviour. 20th May – Liverpool John Lennon Airport evacuated after ‘security incident’ sparked by faulty security scanner. Large numbers of people were reportedly told to leave the main airport building.
27th May – Drone was flown 100 feet from plane at Manchester Airport. A drone was flown just 100 feet from a Boeing 757 jet near Manchester Airport, according to an official near-miss report.
27th May – Aurigny begins flights from Leeds Bradford to Guernsey. Aurigny is the longest serving airline in the Channel Islands and in peak season will run four flights a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 28th May – Flybe’s new summer route to Newquay takes off from Aberdeen. Flybe start operating its new weekly summer Saturday flights between Aberdeen and Cornwall Airport Newquay.
National and Other Industry News
3rd May – New research study by the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) shows the need to take climate change seriously rules out any new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick. The study, commissioned by GACC, says for the UK to play its part in making December’s Paris Agreement on climate work, means cancelling plans for a new UK runway.
4th May – Airbus signs £400m deal with Wrexham firm. News comes just a few days after Airbus revealed it had secured 4 new contracts in just two days.
6th May – Henk van Klaveren joins the Airport Operators Association as Public Affairs & PR Manager. Has a strong track record in politics, public affairs and PR, and joins from public affairs agency Maitland Political, where he was a Senior Consultant.
11th May – CE of the North East Chamber of Commerce, champions Heathrow for expansion. In aiming to build a global North-East, says he’s committed to championing Heathrow expansion as the best option for North-East and for the whole of the UK.
12th May – Manchester Airport Group passenger figures up 7% in April 2016. The four airports combined – Manchester, Stansted, East Midlands and Bournemouth – handled 4.3 million passengers.
16th May – BAA break up worth £870 million to consumers according to Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Writing in The Times, CMA CE Alex Chisholm said forcing the airports operator to sell off Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh has resulted in a more competitive marketplace, which in turn has fueled more investment and faster passenger growth.
16th May – Flybe boss admits airline was close to collapse when he took over nearly 3 years ago. He described the carrier at the time as “running out of cash, loss-making, in disarray”.
17th May – Aviation industry prepared to start global offsetting measure in 2020, urges government convergence on final global deal. Industry observers to this week’s High Level Meeting on a Global Market-Based Measure Scheme for international aviation were encouraged by the progress achieved in the talks, held at ICAO in Montreal.
19th May – New BA chief pledges to make airline more competitive. New boss Alex Cruz has pledged to make the carrier more competitive but ruled out adopting a “low-cost” model.
23rd May – Air Lingus commenced two new routes from Dublin Airport this week. A thrice weekly route to Pisa began 18th May followed two days later by a twice weekly route to Montpellier.
European News
13th May – ACI International: Press release states 65% of air passengers in Europe travel through airports in the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World commented “An impressive 2 billion air passengers now travel through airports certified at one of the 4 levels of the programme – equivalent to 33% of global air passenger traffic. With over 100 airports now engaged in Airport Carbon Accreditation, Europe is in the lead on carbon management.”
To find out which airports are certified & their level of certification, visit: http://www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org/airport/participants.html
SASIG Library Additions
House of Commons Transport Committee – Surface Transport to airports: Government response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2015-16 published 13th May 2016.