SASIG July Newsletter

by | Aug 15, 2018 | Uncategorised | 0 comments

Editor’s Highlights  

More important documents of relevance to SASIG members were published by the Government in the run up to Parliament’s summer recess. The Airspace Modernisation Strategy addresses issues that are likely to become of increasing significance over the next 10-15 years as NATS and other airspace change promotors roll out a programme of controlled airspace enhancements and technological change with the over-arching aim of updating the UK’s badly outdated airspace infrastructure, which is groaning under the strain of airport growth and causing increased delays, unreliability and deteriorating noise environments on local communities. The new Airspace Change process overseen by the CAA is going to become as high profile in these communities and therefore for local authorities, as major land use planning applications associated with the airports in their boundaries.

The Government took a de-minimis approach to changes to the National Planning Policy Framework following its recent consultation, with the principal focus being on housing related matters. There have been some small amendments made in relation to General Aviation (see Q4 below in the Parliamentary Questions section below). Wider land use planning issues raised by SASIG in relation to airports, appear to be being held in abeyance for the Airport’s White Paper, which as a national policy statement will effectively update the NPPF in so far as it deals with airports, until it is next revised.

SASIG’s transport workshop held on 11th July was both interesting and informative with contributions from a range of members and external guest participants that has been summarised in meeting notes that are available on the website. The Secretariat are undertaking follow up data analysis and a member survey on surface transport to inform SASIG’s input to the Aviation Strategy process, although a number of key policy asks are already emerging.

August is typically very busy for the industry but quiet for policy as many EU, Whitehall and local authority officials take their summer holidays but we anticipate September will be a very busy month and the start of 9 months of intensive activity on aviation policy.

Chris Cain,

Head of Secretariat

Monthly Highlights

10th July – National Infrastructure Assessment is published.

19th July – CAA publishes its draft Airspace Modernisation Strategy.

24th July – Final version of the revised NPPF is published. Information on the document itself and supporting documents can be seen here.

Events, Meetings and Conferences

SASIG Meetings

– 16th November 2018: SASIG full meeting (Venue: LGA, Smith Square, London)        followed in the afternoon by a workshop on Airports, Cities and Economic Growth.

External Conferences

Parliamentary and Government News

Both the House of Commons and House of Lords rose on 20th July and will return on 5th September.

Transport Questions: House of Commons:

5th July – Transport
There were a number of debates in the House relevant to aviation including:

  • one on Transport Infrastructure which can be seen here;
  • Heathrow Expansion: Landing Charges which can be seen here, and
  • a further debate on Transport Infrastructure (with reference to Heathrow and air connectivity to the North West), which can be seen here.

Transport Questions: House of Lords

There were no Transport questions in the House of Lords this month.

Parliamentary Questions:

Q.1. Question (160151) asked by Justine Greening (Putney) on 3rd July 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the remits of the (a) Airport Expansion & Aviation and Maritime Analysis Directorate and (b) Aviation Directorate are in relation to the Airports National Policy Statement.
A. Jesse Norman on 6th July 2018: “The Airport Expansion & Aviation and Maritime Analysis Directorate is responsible for the policies set out in the Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) which was designated on 26 June 2018. The Directorate will lead further work with Heathrow Airport Limited on their plans to deliver the Northwest Runway at Heathrow in accordance with the NPS. However, it will not be involved in decisions on any future applications for development consent, which will be handled by a separate team elsewhere in the Department to ensure propriety. The Directorate also includes an expert multi-disciplinary analytical division which undertakes modelling and economic and statistical analysis for the Department on aviation and maritime issues. The Aviation Directorate has responsibility for aviation policy more generally, including (for example) airspace modernisation and the proposed Aviation Strategy. Both directorates have regard to where the work of one may affects the other”.

Q.2. Question (161093) asked by Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) on 5th July 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for Birmingham Airport of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the viability of the aviation sector”.

A. Chris Grayling on 10th July 2018: “The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, this includes the implications for airports such as Birmingham, and plans to negotiate the best possible relationship between the UK and the EU in the field of aviation. Securing liberal market access to EU markets is a very high priority for the Department for Transport. The importance of air services to the health of the UK economy is recognised across Government. The Department for Transport is working closely with the sector to best understand its requirements and to ensure that the outcome of the negotiations serves the interests of both passengers and the aviation industry”.

Q.3. Question (HL9278) asked by the Earl of Glasgow on 5th July 2018: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any assessment of the case for locating Britain’s future international hub airport in Birmingham, rather than Heathrow or the South East; and if not, why not”.

A. Baroness Sugg on 16th July 2018: “In autumn 2012, the Airports Commission was established with a remit to identify the scale and timing of any requirement for additional capacity to maintain the UK’s position as Europe’s most important aviation hub. The Commission assessed 58 options for the provision of the additional airport capacity needed, including expanding Birmingham airport. In its interim report, the Commission concluded that expansion through the addition of one new runway in the South East of England was required by 2030. The Commission shortlisted three schemes; two at Heathrow Airport and one at Gatwick Airport and after carrying out further assessment and public consultation on all three schemes it unanimously recommended a new Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport in combination with a significant package of measures to address its environmental and community impacts. The Government received the Commission’s final report in July 2015 and in December 2015, following a review of the Commission’s work, the Government accepted the need for one new runway in the South East of England. Following a period of further work, the Government announced its preference for the Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme in October 2016. The Airports National Policy Statement, which was designated on 26 June 2018, provides the primary basis for decision-making on development consent applications for a Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport, clarifying what is required to enable development, whilst setting clear requirements to mitigate the impacts”.

Q.4. Question (162941) asked by Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) on 11th July 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on the consideration that local planning authorities should give to the position of general aviation aerodromes in a network when determining planning applications to remove such aerodromes from use”.

A. Kit Malthouse on 16th July 2018: “The revised draft National Planning Policy Framework recognises the significant contribution that aviation makes to economic growth and the importance of maintaining a national network of general aviation facilities. It requires local authorities, when preparing their Local Plans, to take account of the role of airfields in meeting business, leisure, training and emergency service needs. It also highlights the importance of making the most effective use of land, especially previously developed land, and the general value of mixed-use scheme. The revised National Planning Policy Framework will be published this Summer. Planning guidance supporting the Framework makes clear local authorities should consider the interconnectivity between airfields of different sizes and that they should have regard to the Aviation Policy Framework. Planning law requires that applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The weight to be given to other material considerations, which may include the role of airfields in serving business and other needs, is a matter for the decision maker to determine in each case”.

(Answer grouped with Q’s: 162942/162943)

Q.5. Question (160384) asked by Luke Pollard (Plymouth, Sutton & Devonport) on 3rd July 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the changes proposed in the London Airspace Management Programme Phase 1A to be fully implemented”.

A. Jesse Norman on 10th July 2018: “The changes proposed in the London Airspace Management Programme Phase 1A were implemented on 4th February 2016, but are subject to final review by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is expected to be completed later this year. The Government is working with the CAA and NATS to develop a plan for wider airspace modernisation across southern England, which is expected to be implemented by the mid-2020s”.

Q.6. Question (160726) asked by David Simpson (Upper Bann) on 4th July 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make representations to the owners of Heathrow Airport on increasing the number of flights to and from Northern Ireland on daily basis after the expansion of that airport”.

A. Jesse Norman on 10th July 2018: “Maintaining and enhancing domestic connectivity to Northern Ireland will be one of the key benefits of the expansion at Heathrow. It will ensure increased frequency and greater competition for existing domestic routes, and allow new routes to be served. The Airports National Policy Statement sets out a clear expectation that expansion should deliver at least six new routes by 2030. This could include Belfast International. The Secretary of State for Transport has also set out a clear ambition for about 15 per cent of slots to be made available from a new runway to be used for domestic routes. If new capacity, coupled with the commercial incentives offered by Heathrow, does not deliver Government’s expectations, and links are insufficient, then the Secretary of State for Transport has committed to impose Public Service Obligations to support additional domestic connections. Further detail on the Government’s approach to Public Service Obligations will be set out in the Aviation Strategy Green Paper towards the end of this year”.

Q.7. Question (162594) asked by Alan Brown (Kilmarnock & Loudoun) on 10th July 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Oral Answer of 5 July 2018, Official Report, column 476, what steps he plans to take to ensure that 15 per cent of slots set aside for regional connections are set in stone”.

A. Jesse Norman on 16th July 2018: “Maintaining and enhancing domestic connectivity should be one of the key benefits of any expansion at Heathrow. It will ensure new connections, increased frequency and greater competition for domestic routes, so that the whole of the UK benefits from the Government’s decision to support a third runway at Heathrow. The Government has set a clear expectation that about 15 per cent of slots made available through expansion at Heathrow Airport will be used for domestic flights, and it has identified the tools to make this happen. As part of this, it expects around 100 additional flights per week between Scotland and Heathrow once new capacity is delivered. If new capacity coupled with the commercial incentives offered by Heathrow does not meet these expectations, then the Government will ring-fence slots at appropriate times of day and provide financial support through exemption from Air Passenger Duty. All of these measures can be delivered through the use of Public Service Obligations. The Government will put in place Public Service Obligations on an airport-to-airport basis. This new approach is consistent with existing EU regulations, and, for the first time, it will allow the Government to provide protection for flights that are specifically to Heathrow. In addition, the Government will consider the introduction of unfunded Public Service Obligations to Heathrow Airport. This would provide a safeguard for domestic connections, but without direct cost to the taxpayer. The Government’s approach to domestic connectivity will be set out in a Green Paper on the Aviation Strategy, to be published towards the end of this year.

(Answer grouped with Q’s: 162593/162595/162596)

Q.8. Question (165102) asked by Alan Brown (Kilmarnock & Loudoun) on 17th July 2018: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2018 to Question 162595 on Heathrow Airport, what statutory mechanisms are in place to ensure that unfunded Public Service Obligations to Heathrow Airport will be binding on both the Heathrow Airport and airlines”.

A. Jesse Norman on 23rd July 2018: “The Government expects the majority of domestic routes from an expanded Heathrow to be commercially viable with support from Heathrow Airport, as many are today. Unfunded Public Service Obligations to Heathrow Airport would provide a safeguard for domestic connections and an exemption from Air Passenger Duty – saving £26 from a domestic return ticket. EU Air Services Regulation 1008/2008 (Articles 16-18) makes provision for Public Service Obligations which are legally enforceable”.

Q.9. Question (HL9802) asked by Baroness Randerson on 23rd July 2018: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Civil Aviation Authority’s statement that price rises for consumers may be needed to unlock the wider benefits of Heathrow expansion”.

A. Baroness Sugg on 26th July 2018: “In 2016 the Secretary of State for Transport set out his clear ambition for airport charges to remain close to current levels. Heathrow has recently written to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reaffirming its commitment to work with airlines to deliver this ambition. In addition, the CAA set out in its April consultation that there are credible scenarios in which expansion can be delivered in line with the Secretary of State’s ambition”.

Q.10. Question (HL9803) asked by Baroness Randerson on 23rd July 2018: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether population impact estimates for Heathrow expansion will be extended to include air quality impacts beyond the two kilometres analysed currently when Heathrow Airport Limited develops its surface access strategy and mitigation actions on air pollution”.

A. Baroness Sugg on 26th July 2018: “As part of the development consent process, the applicant will be required to undertake a detailed assessment of the environmental impacts of their scheme, including air quality, and put forward an appropriate package of mitigations. The Airports National Policy Statement makes clear that development consent would not be granted if the Secretary of State for Transport is not satisfied that the scheme would be compatible with air quality obligations”.

Q.11. Question (HL9804) asked by Baroness Randerson on 23rd July 2018: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to contribute to the cost of a third runway should Heathrow Airport Limited be unable to raise the level of investment it anticipates”.

A. Baroness Sugg on 26th July 2018: “The Government is clear that the Northwest Runway scheme at Heathrow will be financed by the private sector without Government support – and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as the independent economic regulator, has a duty to ensure that Heathrow Airport can finance its airport operations”.

Q.12. Question (HL9602) asked by Baroness Randerson on 17th July 2018: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made to ensure that no extra airport related road traffic will result from the increase in passenger capacity after the North West Runway is built; whether they intend to make this an legally binding requirement on Heathrow Airport Ltd; and if not, why not”.

A. Baroness Sugg on 26th July 2018: “The Airports National Policy Statement was designated on 26 July 2018, paving the way for a development consent application from Heathrow.

Heathrow airport is already well connected by rail and tube and will benefit from transport improvements which are already in construction or planned, such as Crossrail, HS2 and the proposed Western Rail Link. The Airports National Policy Statement sets out that Heathrow Airport should continue to strive to meet its public pledge to have landside airport-related traffic no greater than today. As part of a Development Consent Application, Heathrow would need to undertake detailed assessments of the impacts of expansion. Only once the detailed assessments have been carried out, can these impacts can be fully assessed. This pledge may become a legally binding requirement as part of the development consent process”.

Q.13. Question (HL9603) asked by Baroness Randerson on 17th July 2018: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of the planned expansion of Heathrow airport with air quality obligations; and whether Heathrow airport itself, or traffic in the surrounding area, has ever breached existing legal limits on air quality standards”.

A. Baroness Sugg on 26th July 2018: “We have assessed the impact of the Government’s 2017 UK Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations, and updated aviation demand forecasts, on the Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme’s compliance with air quality limit values. Our analysis helped inform the Government’s view that the Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme can be delivered in compliance with air quality obligations, with a suitable package of policy and mitigation measures. Following designation of the Airports National Policy Statement (NPS), it will now be for the promoter to undertake a detailed assessment of the air quality impacts of the scheme, including during construction, and put forward to the Planning Inspectorate an appropriate package of mitigations that address air quality impacts and demonstrate compliance with air quality obligations. In order to grant development consent, the Secretary of State for Transport would need to be satisfied that, with mitigation, the scheme would be compliant with legal obligations. Heathrow Airport Ltd is situated in the Greater London Urban Area Zone for the purpose of reporting compliance with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) limit values to the European Commission. This Zone is currently non-compliant with (NO2) limits. The 2017 UK Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations sets out how we will achieve compliance in the shortest possible time, supported by a £3.5 billion investment into air quality and cleaner transport”.

Q.14. Question (HL9801) asked by Baroness Randerson on 23rd July 2018: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much they estimate will be spent on additional transport links in the South East as a result of the additional traffic created by a third runway at Heathrow; and whether they plan to match such spending with additional investment in transport in the North”.

A. Baroness Sugg on 26th July 2018: “The Government has been clear that the costs for works on the transport network which are physically needed to enable the Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme to operate will be funded by the promoter, not taxpayers.
Government’s policy for funding airport surface access improvements is set out in the 2013 Aviation Policy Framework”.

National and Regional News

2nd July – A railway station near Doncaster Airport ‘must serve more than just the airport’. This one of the things agreed at a ‘round table’ event held at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

2nd July –Scheme planned for junction near Leeds Bradford Airport. Transport bosses have agreed to part-fund multi-million pound roadworks that could improve access to airport.

2nd July – Gatwick is first UK airport to achieve a Zero Waste to Landfill accreditation from the Carbon Trust. It’s also been re-certified as a Carbon Neutral airport.

2nd July – Birmingham Mayor defends his stance on 2nd runway. He says that he made this clear in his original Mayoral Manifesto.

3rd July – Manchester Airport drop off charge to start on July 10th. Airport bosses insist the scheme is aimed at relieving crippling congestion around the site.

3rd July – Somerset to Heathrow in 2 hours if rail plan goes ahead. Network Rail has been consulting on proposals for a 6.5km tunnel between Gt Western Mainline and Terminal 5.

4th July – Newquay Airport overhauls its parking facilities. The works include introduction of a barrierless entry/exit system and expansion of dedicated drop off/pick up area.

6th July – Bristol Airport opens new multi-storey car park. It has over 1,100 spaces across 3 levels and is situated a short walking distance to the terminal with 2 additional floors providing an extra 750 spaces to be added in winter.

9th July – Luton Airport held its first consultation on potential expansion of the airport. The consultations will run until 31st August.

10th July – There is another delay to the start of commercial flights out of Carlisle. Airport operators Stobart Group announced that flights would not take off until next spring.

10th July – First phase of major revamp for Leeds Bradford Airport is opened. A multi-million pound development has seen the entire departure lounge transformed.

10th July – London City Airport may seek permission for more flights. CE Robert Sinclair believes the airport will approach existing caps on its operations in the next 3–4 years.

11th July – The councils who are part-owners of MAG will share in dividend. Manchester City Council will receive almost £59m while the 9 others will each receive £5.4m.

15th July – Parking problem caused for village near Bristol Airport. Holidaymakers parking on residential streets to avoid fees at Airport are causing ‘huge issues’ for villagers in Cleeve.

15th July – Will there ever be a direct rail link to Liverpool Airport? Liverpool South Parkway is promoted as the well-connected station for LJLA but it is three miles away.

16th July – Windsor & Maidenhead Council set aside extra money to fight Heathrow expansion. A further £100,000 has been added to the fund.

17th July – More jobs are coming to Bournemouth Airport. Aviation firm is to bring some of its aircraft maintenance operation to the airport industrial park, helping expansion plans.

18th July – Heathrow concludes its search for innovation partners ahead of expansion. It launched a programme in April to find suitable partners for the airport expansion.

18th July – An article in ‘Move Commercial’ newsletter about how Heathrow expansion could impact on the North-West of the UK can be seen here.

19th July – A legal challenge to Heathrow third runway has been launched. It has been launched by a group of councils, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Greenpeace.

19th July – Electric car-sharing service launched at Gatwick. It will enable passengers and staff to travel to and from the airport in an environmentally friendly way.

19th July – Green Party protests Luton Airport expansion. Protestors attended a drop-in consultation session hosted by the airport.

20th July – Work has begun on new car park at Stansted Airport. It will have 5 upper floors and is expected to be completed by May 2019.

24th July – Plans revealed to connect £10billion high speed railway with busiest UK airports. ‘HS4Air’will connect HS1 at Ashford to HS2 NW of London with stops at Heathrow/Gatwick.

24th July – Crackdown on meet and greet car parking firms at Manchester Airport. Holidaymakers’ cars left on residential streets near airport could be towed away.

26th July – Birmingham Airport plans £15m terminal expansion. The transport hub lodged new plans with Solihull MBC last week and a 3-week consultation period will start soon.

29th July – Bristol Airport is looking at ways to reduce noise levels. Its draft plan covers the period from 2019-2024.

Other Aviation Industry News

3rd July – UK aviation industry marks 5 years of progress against noise. Sustainable Aviation has revealed the results of investments in procedures, technology and policy work.

6th July – There’s anger over plans to centralise ATC in Scotland. There’s disagreement between management and unions after HIAL announced it will be based in Inverness.

7th July – Many airports have increased the price of car parking this year. Over half of the UK’s biggest airports have pushed up parking prices for drivers picking people up this summer, according to new analysis.

10th July – National Infrastructure Assessment is published. Details can be seen here.

12th July – Plans for new runway at Dublin cause tensions. Plans to develop a €320m runway have been met with protests by local farmers and property owners living nearby.

14th July – Aberdeen Airport MD is stepping down after 10 years in the role. Carol Benzie has overseen expansion of the airport’s route network as well as the single largest investment in its history.

16th July – Scotland identified as front runner for Britain’s first spaceport. Vertical rocket and satellite launches are planned from A’Mhoine, Sutherland.

17th July – A fresh application to re-open Manston Airport has been submitted again. Previous application was withdrawn after Planning Inspectorate expressed some concerns.

18th July – Cardiff Airport unveils its vision for the next twenty years. The Airport, alongside the Welsh Government, will also take over the running of St Athan airfield.

19th July – CAA publishes its draft Airspace Modernisation Strategy. They ask for feedback from industry stakeholders by 10th September.

20th July – New report says autonomous technology would benefit UK airports. Trials of autonomous technological applications have already taken place at some UK airports.

21st July – New deals needed in event of ‘hard’ Brexit says Irish Aviation Authority. It backed claim that British flights will currently have no legal right to land in Ireland or other EU countries in the event of a hard Brexit.

27th July – MSP calls on Edinburgh Airport to halt its flight path proposals. Says noise level predictions could be much louder than claimed during the consultation.

28th July – Study finds over 50’s shunning major airports in favour of regionals. A survey of nearly 10,000 SAGA members showed most would pay extra for the convenience.

30th July – Ireland West Airport unveils first phase of €15m transformation programme. It aims to improve the customer experience and transform the airport over the next 3 years.

31st July – Drones banned from flying within 1 km of UK airport boundaries. New laws also restrict drones from flying above 400 ft.

SASIG Library Additions

An updated future inquiry and consultation programme can be seen  here.

A presentation by Sarah Bishop, Deputy Director, Aviation Policy at DfT given to the SASIG full meeting/AGM on 11th July, can be seen in the Members’ area of our website here.

A presentation by Simon Emery from Network Planning Division, Highways England given at the Surface Access to Airports Workshop held in the afternoon of 11th July following the SASIG main meeting/AGM can be seen in the Members’ area of our website here.

A presentation by Chris Cain, Head of Secretariat given at the Surface Access to Airports Workshop held in the afternoon of 11th July following the SASIG main meeting/AGM can be seen in the Members’ area of our website here.