EDITORIAL
SASIG Secretariat hope all our readers had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year break. We understand Santa managed to execute his UK flight plan before the fog descended, despite numerous strike threats and he is reportedly now en route with Mrs Claus, to warmer climes for a well-earned annual break. I am told by some very well-informed six year olds of a close friend of mine, that he shaves his beard off for his holiday because otherwise he would be hot, and more importantly so no one recognises him. Apparently he then grows it back by the next Christmas. I found myself unable to argue with such insightful Baldrickian logic and so have restricted myself to earnestly hoping they have travelled with an ATOL insured holiday company so that they are back in February, safe and sound, to start the year long preparations for the next festive season. Worryingly, given recent appointments by Donald Trump to his Cabinet, I am not sure there will be much ice left in the Arctic for them to land-on when they return; but that is an issue for another day and one I anticipate President Trump may well turn to my six year old advisors to resolve after he is inaugurated on 20th January.
Despite the looming proximity of that auspicious day, the Secretariat and Chair hope that now you are back at your host authorities, you will have plenty of enthusiasm for implementing some New Year resolutions. We would be delighted if you could make one of them to engage anew with SASIG via the Newsletter, Technical Working Group and regular Group meetings as this will be a very important year for aviation policy – perhaps the most important for the nearly 15 years since the 2003 White Paper was published.
We expect the Government to publish a National Policy Statement in the spring, to actively engage on the scope and content of a parallel Aviation Strategy Document (expected in 2018) and to be heavily engaged on the important implications of Brexit for the industry. There will be a judicial review of the Government’s runway decision, consultations by Heathrow (and Manston) on their DCOs and substantial activity associated with airspace change policy and applications. We also do not expect GIP and MAG to go quietly into the night, especially as GIP are now paying Sir David Higgins handsomely to use his contacts in Government, while MAG are crucial to the success of the Northern Powerhouse and have managed to persuade Jet 2 to leave its Northern stronghold and base aircraft at Stansted.
SASIG has the potential to lead policy thinking in a number of important areas and to form policy development directly, or through partnerships, in a number of others. SASIG is clearly valued as a strategic sounding board by Government and is increasingly being recognised as an important stakeholder by the industry. To leverage this influence to maximum effect, SASIG needs an active and committed membership helping to develop and support the group’s policy positions and but also to recruit other authorities with a similar interest in aviation policy and development so that its voice is given even greater authority and credibility. We look forward to seeing you all at future meetings and engaging with you to help expand the group’s membership.
Chris Cain,
Head of Secretariat
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CONTENTS
- Monthly Highlights
- Meetings & Conferences
- Parliamentary News
- London and South East News
- Regional News
- National and Other Industry News
- European News
- SASIG Library Additions
- Print this newsletter
MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS
2nd December – IATA says UK policy can point way for Europe-wide airspace improvements.In the light of this the Government’s answer to a PQ by Drew Hendrie (SNP) on 12 December (Q57091) is intriguing: “….. The Government supports the need for airspace modernisation, but has not made a specific assessment of its environmental benefits”, and certainly worth following up.8th December: Government will be challenged in court over the Heathrow decision12th December: Heathrow commences preparation of a planning application for expansion.15th December: Incoming Gatwick Chairman says case for future expansion remains strong.19th December: Parliamentary support for new Heathrow runway increasesA calendar of planned open public consultations has been published on ‘Your voice in Europe’. The direct link to the calendar is: http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/consultations/docs/planned-consultations-2016_en.pdf
MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
SASIG Future Meetings
– 6th January: Technical Working Group: Airports, Cities & Economic Growth.
Venue: CIHT, 119, Britannia Walk, London, N1 7E.
– 27th January: Full SASIG meeting – The Palmer Room, One George Street, Westminster.
– 1st March: Technical Working Groups: Surface Access (a.m.) and Environment, Planning & Airspace (pm) Venue tbc.
– 7th April: Full SASIG meeting and Workshops: Venue tbc.
– 25th May: Technical Working Groups: Surface Access (am) and Environment, Planning & Airspace (pm) Venue tbc.
– 7th June: Technical Working Group: Airports, Cities & Economic Growth. Venue tbc.
External Meetings and Conferences
– 6th April 2017: Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum: Regional Airports in the UK: priorities for connectivity, capacity and investment – Central Birmingham. Sessions at this seminar will focus on regional airport capacity and aviation throughout the UK, following the publication of the Airports Commission report into expansion in the South East in 2015 and the expected government decision later this year.
– 23rd-25th April 2017: Routes Europe 2017 – Belfast Northern Ireland.
– 15th-17th May 2017: ACI Europe’s 10th Regional Airports Conference & Exhibition: Cork, Ireland.
– 4th-6th July 2017: LGA Annual Conference & Exhibition: International Convention Centre, Birmingham. This is the local Government event of the year.
PARLIAMENTARY NEWS
No aviation related transport questions from Parliament this month.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
Q.1. Question (54690) asked by Lucy Powell (Manchester Central) on 24th November 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 April 2016 to Question 34680, what his Department’s current involvement is with the European Aviation Safety Agency’s development of EU-wide safety rules for drones”.
A. John Hayes on 1st December 2016: “The Department for Transport has been participating in negotiations on the revision of the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) Basic Regulation, which will include EU-wide safety rules for all unmanned aircraft. The Civil Aviation Authority participates in the EASA Expert Group of subject matter experts, and will assist with the development of the Implementing Rules that sit beneath the Basic Regulation”.
Q.2. Question (56049) asked by Dr. Tania Mathias (Twickenham) on 2nd December 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2016 to Question 55351, for what reason she does not plan to bring forward proposals to amend part 3 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to make medically unsafe levels of noise from aircraft a statutory nuisance”.
A. Dr. Therese Coffey on 7th December 2016: “The Government has no plans to amend the Environmental Protection Act as suggested because it considers that aircraft noise is best managed through aviation policy”.
Q.3. Question (55501) asked by Robert Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) on 29th November 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how his Department plans to meet growth in aviation passenger demand before the completion of a new runway in the South East”.
A. John Hayes on 7th December 2016: “Whilst Heathrow is operating at capacity today, the Airports Commission recognised that there is still spare capacity in the South East. The Government will be progressing work on a new aviation strategy which will consider how we can make best use of existing capacity”.
Q.4. Question (56498) asked by Richard Fuller (Bedford) on 7th December 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has considered taking steps to prevent the overselling of seats on commercial flights”.
A. John Hayes on 15th December 2016: “Overbooking is a widespread commercial practice amongst airlines to reduce the number of empty seats, given the likelihood that a proportion of passengers will not check in. By reducing the number of empty seats, overbooking keeps fares lower than they would otherwise be. However, the Government understands the frustration of passengers who are being denied boarding due to overbooking. Regulation (EC) 261/2004, with its passenger compensation levels set at levels penalising the industry, was introduced to discourage industry practices that were detrimental to the passenger. The Regulation requires air carriers to provide overbooked passengers prescribed minimum levels of financial compensation, which in particular on short-haul flights may exceed the flight ticket price. Additionally the passengers have a choice between re-routing and reimbursement. The Government considers the consumer protection regime as sufficient deterrent to overbooking and has not considered further legislation”.
Q.5. Question (56931) asked by Drew Hendry (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey) on 12th December 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the devolved nations on the modernisation of UK airspace”.
A. John Hayes on 20th December 2016: “The Government supports the need for airspace modernisation. In October 2016, the Aviation Minister, Lord Ahmad discussed airspace matters with the Scottish Transport Minister and expects to have further discussions with representatives of the devolved administrations regarding airspace matters over the coming months. Ministers do meet representatives from the aviation industry regularly and the need for airspace modernisation is often on the agenda. The Government supports the need for airspace modernisation, but has not made a specific assessment of its environmental benefits”.
Q.6. Question (56932) asked by Drew Hendry (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey) on 12th December 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the aviation industry on the Government’s agenda for airspace modernisation”.
A. John Hayes on 20th December 2016: “The Government supports the need for airspace modernisation. In October 2016, the Aviation Minister, Lord Ahmad discussed airspace matters with the Scottish Transport Minister and expects to have further discussions with representatives of the devolved administrations regarding airspace matters over the coming months. Ministers do meet representatives from the aviation industry regularly and the need for airspace modernisation is often on the agenda. The Government supports the need for airspace modernisation, but has not made a specific assessment of its environmental benefits”.
Q.7. Question (57091) asked by Drew Hendry (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey) on 12th December 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the environmental benefits of modernising the UK’s airspace”.
A. John Hayes on 20th December 2016: “The Government supports the need for airspace modernisation. In October 2016, the Aviation Minister, Lord Ahmad discussed airspace matters with the Scottish Transport Minister and expects to have further discussions with representatives of the devolved administrations regarding airspace matters over the coming months. Ministers do meet representatives from the aviation industry regularly and the need for airspace modernisation is often on the agenda. The Government supports the need for airspace modernisation, but has not made a specific assessment of its environmental benefits”.
Q. 8. Question (HL4203) asked by Lord Blencathra on 19th December 2016: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Transport on 10 September 2015 (HC7971), what action the cross-government working group has taken to reduce the risks posed by drones to civil aviation; and whether they plan to consult on the introduction of new criminal offences relating to (1) causing a nuisance, (2) endangering persons on the ground, and (3) endangering aircraft, through use of a drone”.
A. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 21st December 2016: “We have been working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and industry to adapt and strengthen regulations and implement mitigations as drones use and the related technology evolves. This has led to a new safety awareness campaign aimed at leisure drone users. So far, this has included the launch of a new www.dronesafe.uk website, a #400ftBritain drone photography competition that highlights safety rules, and a free new app ‘Drone Assist’ by NATS, which shows users where they should and should not fly in their locality. There are already offences to deter and, if necessary, prosecute operators for malicious or negligent use, including a prison sentence of up to five years for endangering an aircraft. The Government is today launching a consultation to determine if further measures are needed in this area”.
Q. 9. Question (57937) asked by Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) on 15th December 2016: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) regional, (b) local and (c) general aviation airports currently operating in the UK; and if he will make a statement”.
A. John Hayes on 20th December 2016: “The Department does not hold data on the number of (a) regional, (b) local or (c) general aviation airports operating in the UK. The table below however shows the overall number of airports operating in the UK and reporting aircraft movements to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for each of the last 20 years:
| Year | No. of airports1 |
| 1995 | 57 |
| 1996 | 58 |
| 1997 | 59 |
| 1998 | 59 |
| 1999 | 59 |
| 2000 | 59 |
| 2001 | 59 |
| 2002 | 58 |
| 2003 | 59 |
| 2004 | 61 |
| 2005 | 61 |
| 2006 | 60 |
| 2007 | 60 |
| 2008 | 60 |
| 2009 | 61 |
| 2010 | 61 |
| 2011 | 60 |
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2013 | 57 |
| 2014 | 57 |
| 2015 | 56 |
1 Includes all airports handling scheduled and major charter services and reporting aircraft movements according to the CAA.
Q. 10. Question (HL4100) asked by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town on 13th December 2016: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in pursuing the negotiations for Brexit, whether they will seek to retain the ability of passengers flying in the EU to claim compensation for delays and cancellations through EC Regulation 261/2004”.
A. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 21st December 2016: “The Government is considering the impacts of the decision to leave the European Union, including future arrangements for existing legislation. Until the UK leaves, EU law continues to apply, so we continue to comply with the existing directives and regulations, such as the common rules on compensation and assistance under Regulation (EC) 261/2004. This government remains committed to putting passengers at the heart of our transport policy and ensuring we have the right regime for passenger rights in place”.
GOVERNMENT NEWS
No additional significant announcements this month.
LONDON AND SOUTH EAST NEWS
1st December – Heathrow announces team for expansion plans. Seven companies have been contracted by Heathrow to design plans for the airport’s sustainable expansion.
2nd December – Gatwick wins Dementia Innovation Award. In May, it launched a first of its kind hidden disability lanyard for passengers with dementia and other hidden disabilities.
6th December – London City Airport cancels flights due to fog. The airport had an average delay time of 67 minutes after 43 flights were cancelled – making up 53% of the total.
7th December – Luton Airport CEO says time is right for rapid rail link to airport. Agrees with UK Chancellor who said in his Autumn statement “small investments can offer big wins”.
8th December – Gatwick Foundation Fund issues first round of grants. 31 projects across Kent, Surrey and Sussex are first recipients awarded £150,000 in grants from new fund.
8th December – Government will be challenged in court over the Heathrow decision. Hillingdon, Richmond, Wandsworth and Windsor & Maidenhead councils, together with Greenpeace and a resident of Hillingdon, have today served legal papers on the government for unlawfully supporting the expansion of Heathrow.
12th December – Heathrow commences preparation of a planning application for expansion. It is intended to be formally submitted in 2019, after the Government has designated the National Policy Statement.
12th December – Heathrow and Stansted report their busiest ever Novembers. They handled 5.7 million and 1.7 million passengers (+2.3%) respectively during the month.
12th December – Luton Airport records 13% rise in passenger numbers in November compared to November last year. This is 32nd consecutive month of growth at the airport.
14th December – Gatwick to Hong Kong will become a daily service. Cathay Pacific will increase the current 4 times a week service to daily in June 2017.
15th December – HACAN and Heathrow back IANA. They’ve set out their support for an Independent Aviation Noise Authority (IANA) as recommended by the Airports Commission.
15th December – Sir David Higgins is to become Chairman of Gatwick Airport. He will take over from Sir Roy McNulty on 1st January 2017.
16th December – Stansted unveils plans for new £130m arrivals building. Airport bids to boost passenger numbers allowing growth from 24m passengers a year to 35m by 2030.
17th December – Flights cancelled as fog descends on London Airports. Heathrow and Gatwick flights disrupted as fog descended on south-east.
17th December – Incoming Gatwick Chairman says case for future expansion remains strong. Says challenge now is to continue to invest and maximise use of existing facilities.
19th December – Parliamentary support for new Heathrow runway increases. A new poll reveals a record 74% of MPs now back a third runway.
21st December – Heathrow Airport and anti-expansion campaigners pair up for new noise authority. The unlikely pairing have joined forces in supporting the creation of IANA.
22nd December – Gatwick appoints new Head of Airline relations. Stephen King will be responsible for developing existing airline relationships and growing the carrier base.
22nd December – London airports shrouded in fog delaying Christmas flights. Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports all affected.
31st December – Windfall for fliers as Heathrow cuts domestic charges. Airport cuts domestic charges by over one third.
31st December – Flights grounded by fog again at London airports. Dozens of flights affected for the 4th day running at Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports.
REGIONAL NEWS
1st December – Norwich Airport introduces scheme for passengers with hidden disabilities. From 5th December coloured wristbands will be available FOC for passengers and anyone travelling with them to wear as a discreet sign to staff they may require additional support.
2nd December – Secretary of State opens new terminal extension at Bristol Airport. On his first official visit to the airport, Chris Grayling unveiled a plaque in the state-of-the-art security screening area at the heart of the new development.
2nd December – Icelandair announces Belfast City route. Belfast will become Icelandair‘s 44th scheduled destination with a full year-round service 3 times a week from June 2017.
5th December – Plans for new railway station serving Leeds Bradford Airport, unveiled. Details of the airport station have been revealed ahead of the release of a new transport strategy by Leeds Council which is part of £270m proposals to transform transport in Leeds.
5th December – More routes out of Exeter during summer schedule 2017. Flybe are offering 114 flights per week across 17 routes.
6th December – Southend Airport extends Flybe deal. Airport owners confirm Flybe will operate up to 18 new flights after initial talks with CityJet broke down.
6th December – Passengers at Birmingham Airport face delays this weekend. Ground staff vote in favour of industrial action ahead of Christmas rush.
7th December – Cardiff Airport announces further passenger growth. Over 1.338 million passengers have flown through airport in the last year, which is +18% growth over last 12 months.
7th December – Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Houston Spaceport sign MOU. Agreement marks the start of a process to develop global “best practice” for commercial space launch activities, safety and environmental standards.
8th December – Bristol Airport calls for better transport links. New study says that passengers are wasting travel time and money having to travel to London airports.
8th December – Easyjet are offering cheap flights from Liverpool for autumn 2017. Passenger advised to book early to beat rising prices as summer approaches.
12th December – Southend Airport sees in increase in business passenger numbers. It has posted a 25% year on year increase in traffic.
12th December – Manchester Airport designated as carbon neutral. Airport is given accreditation by ACI.
13th December – MD at Aberdeen Airport is ‘cautiously optimistic’. Comments came after terminal saw the smallest drop in passenger numbers in many months.
13th December – Robin Hood Doncaster Airport says airport rail link is essential. Airport MD said detailed proposals would be released in January.
16th December – Dft publishes report on whether it is viable to re-open Plymouth Airport. The report can be read here.
14th December – Glasgow Prestwick Airport is upgrading its car parks. Over winter they will improve car parking process by creating new booking website, upgrading the layout and modernising the barrier system.
19th December – FlyPlymouth says airport could still re-open. Says the Dft report just published which says it should not reopen, is unreliable.
19th December – Newquay Airport optimizes transatlantic connections. New timings set to begin from 27th March 2017, so passengers can fly to North America, via Dublin.
19th December – Dublin Airport welcomes 27 million passengers for the first time. Record reached yesterday, beating last year’s record of 25 million passengers.
19th December – Jersey Airport begins new re-cycling initiative. Scheme has been launched in partnership with the Parish of St. Helier.
20th December – Flybe is to operate between Aberdeen Airport and Heathrow. The new flights will begin in March 2017.
20th December – East Midlands Airport spared fine in relation to car park pricing. Investigation had been conducted by the CAA.
20th December – Unite call off pre-Christmas planned strike at Doncaster Airport. Baggage handlers and check-in staff call off strike due to ‘breakthrough’ in pay talks.
21st December – Bristol Airport adopts new kerb-to-gate system. Airport will use a queue and flow management solution called BlipTrack, from a Danish firm.
22nd December – New flights from Southend Airport to Europe will begin in May. The move will increases the route network by 75 per cent and passenger numbers by 60 per cent.
22nd December – Sale agreed for Belfast Airport. A deal has been agreed between two UK companies for the sale of George Best Belfast City Airport.
24th December – Birmingham Airport set for its busiest ever Christmas. Over half a million passengers expected to travel through terminal over the festive period.
28th December – Edinburgh Airport set to have record figures over pre-Hogmanay period. Airport will welcome over 86,000 passengers between Christmas and New Year.
31st December – Bristol Airport needs help from Government funding says C.E. Roads surrounding the Airport need urgent improvements which must be funded by central Government, according to its chief executive.
31st December – Heavy fog disrupts flights at Cardiff Airport. Many flights delayed or diverted.
NATIONAL AND OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
1st December – Ryanair launches package holiday service. Airline has launched a service it says will transform a travel industry which has been overcharging holidaymakers “for years”.
6th December – All-time record passenger numbers drive profits at MAG. MAG passenger numbers group-wide in the first six months were up 7.7% year-on-year to 32m.
8th December – IATA announces it expects airline profits in 2017 to be strong. It expects the global airline industry to make a net profit in 2017 of $29.8 billion.
8th December – CAA publishes new guidelines on making air travel more accessible for passengers with hidden disabilities. The report can be seen here.
12th December – Qantas set to fly non-stop Heathrow to Australia. It will be the first regular passenger service to directly link Europe to Australia when it begins in March 2018.
12th December – Ryanair is gaining on British Airways as leading international airline from UK airports. Based on current growth it might overtake in 2018 depending on how UK low-cost travel market responds in 2017 to Brexit and exchange rate volatility.
13th December – Airbus planes of the future could have gyms, playrooms and coffee bars. The concept is being developed by A3 an off-shoot of Airbus.
16th December – Airport staff in pre-Christmas strike. Swissport check-in staff, baggage handlers and cargo crew at UK airports are planning a 48-hour strike from 23 December.
16th December – Draft Scottish budget aims to cut APD by 50%. Says it will aim to achieve this by the end of this Parliament.
20th December – Ground airport staff call off pre-Christmas strike. Planned stoppages for 23rd and 24th December will not go ahead.
22nd December – Monarch CEO says profits will plateau next year. He adds that 2018 will be ‘transformative’ due to delivery of Boeing 737-MAX-8s which will cut fuel costs.
EUROPEAN NEWS
2nd December – IATA says UK policy can point way for Europe-wide airspace improvements. Will support and participate in the Sky’s the Limit campaign for more efficient air traffic routes in UK, and called for similar momentum for airspace change throughout Europe.
SASIG LIBRARY ADDITIONS
None added this month.