Editor’s Highlights

November 2020 was another busy month for aviation policy as the industry and Government battle to deal with the impact of COVID-19 and Brexit, which is looming ever closer on the now visible horizon without any sign of a resolution to the negotiations with the EU. The monthly highlights below capture the main headlines, but a freight strategy is also planned in 2021 and SASIG will take a keen interest in this as air cargo is likely to become a high profile issue in the first half of 2021 because of COVID vaccine transport and the potential for post Brexit blockages at UK ports. Details on the April 2019 National Infrastructure Commission report on ‘Better Delivery: the challenge for freight’ can be seen here and the report is also on our website.

The Committee on Climate Change is due to publish its annual report in December, and its comments on aviation are likely to foreshadow a consultation on the de-carbonisation of aviation in the New Year. A major Night Noise consultation is also imminent. The industry news sections are as comprehensive and informative as ever.

Many of these issues will be updated and discussed at the SASIG meeting and workshop are in the diary for 16thDecember, with further DfT Liaison meetings planned for January 2021, including a meeting with Aviation Minister Robert Courts.

As this will be the last Newsletter before the New Year, the Secretariat would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest during 2020 and to wish you a calm and joyful holiday period and the most sincerest of wishes that 2021 is a far, far better year than its predecessor!

Chris Cain

Policy Director
SASIG

Monthly Highlights

9th November – Secretary of State’s speech to the AOA covering Covid pandemic, recovery works, support, regional connectivity, longer term working and Brexit can be seen here

16th November – Government’s Freeports bidding prospectus published. See here for details. 

16th November – Government publishes its Union Connectivity Review Calls for Evidence

24th November – Government publishes its report of the Global Task Force – for details and access to the document see here and here.  It contains details of airport business rate relief.

25th November – Government sets out its Spending Review

Events, Meetings and Conferences

SASIG Meetings

16th December 2020: 10:30am-1pm: SASIG full meeting/afternoon workshop (Virtual meetings via Zoom).

23rd March 2021: 10:30 – 1pm: SASIG full meeting/ afternoon workshop (Virtual meetings via Zoom)

External Conferences (please note: some changes due to COVID-19 crisis)

10th-12th May 2021: Routes Europe: Bergen, Norway.

28 June-1 July 2021: Passenger Terminal Expo 2021: Conference & Exhibition, RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands.

5th-7th September 2021World Routes 2021: Milan, Italy.

            October 2021: ABTA Travel Convention, Marrakech, Morocco.
December 2021: 9th European Aviation Conference: Heilbronn, Germany

Parliamentary and Government News

9th November – Government announces the first wave of winners receiving government funding for ground-breaking aviation projects solving major global challenges. Details here

9th November – Secretary of State’s speech to the AOA covering Covid pandemic, recovery works, support, regional connectivity, longer term working and Brexit can be seen here
24th November – Government publishes its report of the Global Task Force – for details and access to the document see here and here.  It contains details of airport business rate relief.

25th November – Government sets out its Spending Review

Transport Questions:  House of Commons: 

18th November – Aviation Industry
The House was asked to consider the future of the Aviation Industry. See here for details.

24th November – COVID-19: Global Travel Taskforce
The Aviation Minister issued a statement regarding recommendations from the Government’s Global Travel Taskforce.

Transport Questions:  House of Lords

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

Parliamentary Questions:  

Q.1. Question (908548) asked by Beth Winter (Cynon Valley) on 4 November 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect on the economy of potential industrial action at Heathrow Airport”.
A. Robert Courts on 10 November 2020: The Government does not comment or speculate on future industrial action. Employers should always treat employees fairly and in a spirit of partnership. When considering workforce restructures as a result of the on-going impacts of COVID-19 we encourage employers across the sector to continue to approach this issue with a sensitivity and professionalism that reflects the hard work and dedication of their employees, openly engaging with their workforce and unions in a transparent and consultative way. The Government recognises that, despite the measures we have put in place to protect the economy, there remain serious challenges for the aviation sector and for the communities that serve them. We are focused on restarting the sector, and companies have access to a range of unprecedented government financial support”.
Q.2. Question (HL10000) asked by Baroness McGregor-Smith on 4 November 2020: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to introduce COVID-19 testing at airports; and if so, on what date they plan to introduce such testing”.
A. Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 18 November 2020: “The Government is actively working on the practicalities of using testing to release people from self-isolation earlier than 14 days. The Global Travel Taskforce (GTT) is working at pace to consider how testing, technology and innovation can drive a recovery for international travel and tourism, without adding to infection risk or infringing on our overall NHS test capacity. In its work, the GTT will seek to consult representatives from:

  • the transport industry, to discuss shared challenges, the value of the sector to the economy, and the future of international travel;
  • international partners, to discuss different approaches to health measures at the border, and what standards and practices are needed to maintain safe international travel;
  • the tourism sector and local business leaders, to consider the economic impact on domestic tourism, and how international travel can support economic recovery;
  • the private testing sector, to consider capacity constraints, pricing, and how quickly testing capacity can be rolled out;
  • academia and policy institutes to provide insight and innovative solutions to the challenges the sector is facing.

The Taskforce will submit its recommendations to the Prime Minister in November.
Q.3. Question (112095) asked by Catherine West (Hornsey & Wood Green) on 5 November 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether EU citizens will be able to access e-gates at UK ports and airports on the same conditions as now following the transition period”.
A. Kevin Foster on 10 November 2020: “The Government has already confirmed EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will continue to be able to use e-Gates to enter the UK after the end of the transition period. The necessary legislative change to allow this was made by a Statutory Instrument laid in Parliament on 22 October. No distinction will be made at the end of the transition period between citizens of different EU and EEA countries: citizens of Malta and Cyprus will have the same entitlement to use e-Gates as citizens of all other EEA countries. This policy will be kept under review to ensure we continue to run our border in the UK’s best interests”.
Q.4. Question (110282) asked by Dr Kieran Mullan (Crewe & Nantwich) on 3 November 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made in establishing the Restart, Recovery and Engagement unit; and what plans he has for the (a) work objectives of that unit and (b) engagement of that unit with the aviation industry”.
A. Robert Courts on 10 November 2020: “In response to Covid-19, the Department for Transport established its Aviation Restart, Recovery, and Engagement Unit at the beginning of the pandemic. The objectives of the unit are to support the restart of the sector, enable its safe recovery post Covid-19, and the Unit has engaged with industry throughout this process. As part of the Aviation Restart, Recovery, and Engagement Unit, the Department established the Expert Steering Group to engage and consult with the sector regularly. This Group has supported work done to date including the development of the aviation sector health measures guidance and implementation of the International Travel Corridors. In addition, Ministers and officials continue to meet with Airlines, Airports, Ground Handling companies and industry bodies frequently throughout the crisis.

The Government has now also launched the Global Travel Taskforce, which is considering:

  • How a domestic testing regime for international arrivals could be implemented to boost safe travel to and from the UK and allow UK residents to travel with confidence;
  • What steps we can take to facilitate global business and tourist travel, including through bilateral agreements and multilateral forums by exploring with key international partners issues such as global common standards, testing models, “bubbles”, measures around enforcement, exemptions and other border management measures;
  • What steps we can take to increase consumer confidence, ensure existing measures are being properly adhered to and restart international travel safely.

The Global Travel Taskforce is also engaging with the sector on these points”.

Q.5. Question (115465) asked by Jon McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington) on 16 November 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will place a moratorium on building high carbon infrastructure such as expanded airports as part of the covid-19 recovery package”.
A. Nadim Zahawi on 24 November 2020: “My Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s ambitious Ten Point Plan will ensure that our recovery from coronavirus will be green, generate jobs, and bolster the economy, whilst continuing to drive down emissions both now and in the future. Covering clean energy, transport, nature, and innovative technologies, this plan will enable the UK to forge ahead on delivering its net zero target – and to build back better. In the coming year, the Government will set out further plans for reducing emissions across the economy and delivering net zero. As part of this, the Government is committed to building a Britain with world class infrastructure. Spring Budget 2020 set out that the public sector will invest £640 billion over five years in our future prosperity. The Government will publish a National Infrastructure Strategy in due course, setting out further details on its long-term ambitions. The UK’s climate change framework enables the Government to determine how best to balance emissions reductions across the economy. Any net emissions increase from infrastructure projects are managed within the Government’s overall strategy for meeting carbon budgets and the 2050 net zero target, as part of an economy-wide transition”.
Q.6. Question (115728) asked by Alan Brown (Kilmarnock & Loudoun) on 16 November 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to include the Airspace Modernisation Strategy in the work of the Jet Zero Council”.
A. Robert Courts on 24 November 2020: “At the request of DfT and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Airspace Change Organisation Group (ACOG) was established in 2019 to coordinate the delivery of key aspects of the Government’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS), namely the national programme of airspace change amongst major UK airports. The Jet Zero Council (JZC) will take into account all of the decarbonisation levers available to ensure the sector reaches its net zero goals, including Airspace Modernisation, but will be primarily focused on driving forward areas that require further coordination such as zero emission aerospace technology and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)”.
Q.7. Question (HL10198) asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick on 10 November 2020: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to provide additional financial support to the aviation industry”.
A. A. Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 24 November 2020: “The aviation sector is crucial to the UK’s economy and businesses across the industry can draw on the unprecedented package of economic measures we have put in place during this time. This includes a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme which facilitates access to finance for businesses affected by the outbreak. HMRC is also ready to help all businesses and self-employed individuals, experiencing temporary financial difficulties due to coronavirus. Companies can access their “Time to Pay” arrangements, which eases restrictions with tax bills and VAT deferrals. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has also been available to support wages during this time. On 5 November, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that workers across the United Kingdom will benefit from increased support with a five-month extension of the CJRS until the end of March 2021, with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked”.
Q.8. Question (117334) asked by Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) on 18 November 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing (a) bailout funding or (b) loans to airlines that (i) would or (ii) would not be contingent on commitments to reduce emissions to ensure that airlines can continue to operate during the covid-19 pandemic”.
A. Robert Courts on 24 November 2020: “The Government recognises the challenging circumstances facing the aviation industry as a result of Covid-19 and firms experiencing difficulties can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor, including schemes to raise capital and flexibilities with tax bills. In the Chancellor’s letter to the aviation sector on 24 March 2020, he made it clear that the Government would consider bespoke financial support for firms as a last resort, once all other options had been exhausted. This means firms must have exhausted the comprehensive package of economy-wide measures we have put in place and all other funding options, including with shareholders and commercial debt providers. In order to protect the interests of taxpayers, any support would need to represent value for money. Companies receiving support also need to agree to appropriate conditions, including conditions relating to tax, supplier payment terms, climate change and corporate governance”.
Q.9. Question (114945) asked by Angela Crawley (Lanark & Hamilton East) on 12 November 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the aerospace sector since August 2020 on aerospace and aviation restart and recovery”.
A. Robert Courts on 20 November 2020: “The Government is working closely with the UK’s aerospace industry, including at sector level through the Aerospace Growth Partnership, to help retain jobs and return the sector to growth as soon as possible. The Global Travel Taskforce has also undertaken extensive engagement with the transport industry, international partners, the tourism sector, business leaders, and the private testing sector and invited submissions from all of these partners on its work. The Taskforce has received contributions from a wide range of partners, including the aerospace industry, and is due to report its recommendations to the Prime Minister in November”.
Q.10. Question (117951) asked by Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) on 19 November 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Jet Zero Council has for airspace modernisation”.
A. Robert Courts on 27 November 2020: “At the request of DfT and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Airspace Change Organisation Group (ACOG) was established in 2019 to coordinate the delivery of key aspects of the Government’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS), namely the national programme of airspace change amongst major UK airports.The Jet Zero Council (JZC) will take into account all of the decarbonisation levers available to ensure the sector reaches its net zero goals, including Airspace Modernisation. However, it will be primarily focused on driving forward areas that require further coordination where previously, cross-sectoral collaboration was missing; such as zero emission aerospace technology and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Critically, the JZC is not seeking to duplicate areas already progressing, such as an agreement on international emissions, or aviation modernisation which has an existing governance/delivery structures in ACOG”.
Q.11. Question (117950) asked by Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) on 19 November 2020: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to implement the Airspace Modernisation strategy”.
A. Robert Courts on 27 November 2020: “The Government recognises that airspace modernisation is an important enabler to allowing us to build back better and to meet out carbon commitment. Airspace modernisation is vital to the future of aviation, to delivering net zero and create opportunities for airports to manage how noise impacts local communities. It is a critical infrastructure programme of national importance that will supporting the aviation sector’s recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in light of the pandemic, we recognise that the timescales in which airspace modernisation will take place will change. We are working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to review the Airspace Modernisation Strategy, to consider the recommendations from Airspace Change Organising Group (ACOG’s) recent report ‘Remobilising the Airspace Change Programme’, and will advise stakeholders of our preferred approach shortly. My officials have and will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to identify ways forward for the programme, considering all options for the future”.
Q.12. Question (116571) asked by Steve Double (St. Austell & Newquay) on 17 November 2020: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons airports in England were not included in the business rates relief plans for retail and hospitality businesses”.
A. Jesse Norman on 25 November 2020: “In response to COVID-19 the Government expanded on previous support for the high street to support those businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic and reductions in consumer footfall. A range of measures to support all businesses, including those not eligible for business rates relief, has also been made available. The Government recognises the challenging circumstances facing the aviation industry as a result of COVID-19. On 24 November the Government announced a package of financial support for English commercial airports and ground handlers. This support, which will shore up jobs and reinforce local economies, will be equivalent to the business rates liabilities of each business, up to a maximum of £8 million per site, and subject to certain conditions. This scheme will open in the New Year. The Government has also announced that from 15 December, passengers returning to England from countries not on the travel corridor list will have the option to pay for and take a test after five days of self-isolation, with a negative test result releasing them from the rest of the self-isolation period. This new testing scheme will allow passengers to travel more freely, driving international business and supporting the travel industry as it continues to rebuild out of the pandemic”.
Q.13. Question (116570) asked by Steve Double (St. Austell & Newquay) on 17 November 2020: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending business rates relief to airports in England”.
A. Jesse Norman on 25 November 2020: “In response to COVID-19 the Government expanded on previous support for the high street to support those businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic and reductions in consumer footfall. A range of measures to support all businesses, including those not eligible for business rates relief, has also been made available. The Government recognises the challenging circumstances facing the aviation industry as a result of COVID-19. On 24 November the Government announced a package of financial support for English commercial airports and ground handlers. This support, which will shore up jobs and reinforce local economies, will be equivalent to the business rates liabilities of each business, up to a maximum of £8 million per site, and subject to certain conditions. This scheme will open in the New Year. The Government has also announced that from 15 December, passengers returning to England from countries not on the travel corridor list will have the option to pay for and take a test after five days of self-isolation, with a negative test result releasing them from the rest of the self-isolation period. This new testing scheme will allow passengers to travel more freely, driving international business and supporting the travel industry as it continues to rebuild out of the pandemic”.

National and Regional News

1st November – Local residents unhappy with increased flights from Farnborough Airport. There are claims they were not consulted on the plans. 

2nd November – Bristol Airport plans to build multi-million pound public transport hub. It says the facility will deliver “substantial improvements” for people who travel to the airport by public transport.

2nd November – Heathrow to launch legal review over VAT-free shopping ban. Airport says the ban would intensify the financial crisis the industry is already facing due to COVID-19.
3rd November – Construction of new Gatwick Airport station concourse begins. The £150 million project has seen many changes at the station already this year.

4th November – Southend Airport says cargo flights are helping them to survive. Freight operations have helped to offset some of the disruption caused by C-19 this year.

4th November – Cornish businesses call for more help to safeguard the future of Cornwall Airport Newquay. They are lobbying Government for help.

4th November – Gatwick seeks new Chief Financial Officer. In the meantime the Deputy CFO will assume overall responsibility of the finance function, reporting directly to the CEO. 

5th November – London Assembly agrees for its Chair to write to the Chancellor asking him to lay out his long-term plan for protecting airport jobs and the aviation industry.

5th November – Southend Council is committed to getting Easyjet back to the airport. There have been ongoing talks with the airline.

6th November – Cornwall Council leader concerned about future of Cornwall Airport Newquay. He’s met Aviation Minister for talks but any funding needs Chancellor’s approval.

6th November – British Airways to suspend all flights from Gatwick. They will also furlough “many more” staff as new lockdown measures take effect.

7th November – Liverpool Airport calls on Government to provide support package for aviation. It will stay open during lockdown but predicts extremely low passenger numbers.

8th November – Mayor says second lockdown threatens 65,000 jobs in and around Manchester Airport. He has called on Government help to prop up the aviation industry.

9th November – Winchester City Council likely to object to Southampton Airport expansion plans. The application has recently been updated with an environmental statement.

9th November – Southend Airport faces 4-5 year battle to recover normality says boss. Stobart Air says numbers seen in 2019 unlikely to be seen again until 2024.
9th November – Teesside Airport continues development plan despite impact of COVID-19. It’s implemented a range of measures to protect its future.

9th November – Cornwall Airport Newquay temporarily closes. It is hoped to reopen again on December 7th – further details here and here.

10th November – Luton Airport numbers down by 82% last month. Figures could be even worse next month with the lockdown in effect. 

10th November – Stansted Airport defends decision to charge motorists £7 to drop passengers off outside the main terminal. They say it will help protect jobs and finances. 

10th November – A parish council in North Herts has received grant funding to help them monitor aircraft noise from Luton Airport. For details, see here.

11th November – Article says Southend Airport ‘survived for years with freight’ in the last century and was well known for it. Further details here.  

11th November – Jet2 creates 200 jobs with launch of 10th UK operating base at Bristol Airport. It means significant investment for the region with many new roles available.

11th November – Campaign groups call for ban on Gatwick night flights. They’ve written to Aviation Minister in advance of DfT night flights consultation expected shortly. 

12th November – Exeter Airport MD is leaving. He has spent more than a decade in charge.

12th November – Footage shows Manchester Airport ‘like a ghost town’ as second lockdown continues.

13th November – Bournemouth Airport welcomes aircraft maintenance apprentices. The on-site training scheme is backing by BCP Council.

14th November – Date set for Manston Airport judicial review hearing. The substantive hearing will take place at the High Court on February 16 -17 2021.
15 November – Kemi Badenoch MP’s November column in the Dunmow Broadcast on Covid support, healthcare, and Stansted Airport potential redundancies can be seen here. 
16th November – An article detailing what Manchester Airport needs to bounce back from the pandemic can be seen here

17th November – Leeds Airport disputes analysis of Economics study. Study says the proposed expansion plans are not ‘economically wise’.  More information is here.

17th November – Southend Airport bosses say it will be ‘London’s next big airport’. It will seek to gain low-cost airlines in as part of the recovery strategy.
17th November – MP has concerns about Luton Airport’s flight stack proposals for Huntingdonshire. He is asking people to respond to re-routing plans.
18th November – Ryanair flights from Southend suspended whilst terminal shuts temporarily. The next flight will not take off until 4 December at the earliest. 
18th November – Stansted Airport to close overnight due to Covid travel ban. The terminal will remain open during the day but it will close overnight between 5pm and 5am.
19th November – Drivers ignore ‘no stopping’ orders near East Midlands Airport. The ban began last August in a bid to improve journey times and safety near the airport.
20th November – Former Flybe Training Academy at Exeter Airport has been relaunched as centre offering young people and adult learners chance to upskill/retrain for new career.
20th November – Gatwick rolls out on-site COVID-19 testing. Further details here
21st November – Key date set for review into Manston Airport reopening decision. A date of February 16 and 17, 2021 has been set for the hearing.
21st November – Heathrow Airport launches voluntary redundancy scheme, furloughing its entire head office staff with the exception of its CE in a bid to slash costs. Details here.
22nd November – An article in the Guardian titled ‘Our communities around Britain’s airports are being devastated’ can be seen here and further details can be seen here.
22nd November – An article titled ‘How Gatwick Airport went from being in Surrey to part of Sussex’ can be seen here.
24th November – Councillor questions Luton Airport expansion plans. Council’s executive accepted only 4 of 19 recommendations made to it by a specialist task and finish group.
24th November – Bishop’s Stortford MP welcomes £8m Covid-19 grant for Stansted Airport. It is part of £100m support for airports across the country that has been announced.
25th November – MAG have launched a competition offering £1.3m worth of free landing fees to the first airline to operate a zero-emission commercial flight from one of its airports.
25th November – Heathrow suspends free travel zone in bid to reduce costs. However, the suspension is only temporary and hopefully short-lived. 
25th November – Newcastle Airport says it will take years to recover from impact of C-19. They say it will be at least three to four years.
26th November – Fears West London communities will suffer like mining towns due to Heathrow decline. These include Hounslow and Hillingdon.
26th November – Plymouth Airport runway could be used to store giant bridge beams. Objectors say it goes against a policy to protect the land for aviation purposes. 
27th November – Shoreham development land changes hands. The land off the A27 has tenants including Brighton City Airport along with its terminal building, hangar and airfield.28th November – Teesside Airport’s £2.6m loss over the last 12 months is revealedHowever Mayor says the airport was ‘two years ahead of schedule’.
30th November – Heathrow staff preparing for series of 24-hour pay strikes. Details here.
30th November – Exeter Airport happy regarding new support package for regional airports. Local MP helped spearhead the campaign to achieve this support.

 

Other Aviation Industry News
2nd November – Britain’s airports and airlines need urgent support to survive the “very bleak future” posed by a new lockdown in England, warns MAG boss. Details are here.

2nd November – An article in Air Cargo Eye titled: ‘How government blockades prevented airports ‘bounce-backs’ can be seen here.
4th November – An article in ‘Wired’ saying that the pandemic has created a middle class private jet boom can be seen here.

4th November – New ACI survey says that almost half of respondents consider they will be travelling again within the next three months.
4th November – Qantas drops UK-Australia flights until October 2021. Further details here.
5th November – Airports set out plan for urgent EU and Government support as financial crisis worsens. See details here

5th November – Dublin’s Terminal 1 is in for a new facelift. Plans have been lodged with Fingal County Council. 
5th November – An article in Euractiv titled: ‘EU bank mulls ban on cash for airport expansions’ can be seen here.

5th November – New bid launched to sell Prestwick Airport. The previous attempt to sell it broke down in September.

5th November – CAA issues updated guidance CAP722 – Unmanned Aircraft System Ops in UK Aerospace. Details and access to the document may be seen here.

6th November – Easyjet eases financial pressure. The airline said additional sale and leaseback deals of its aircraft had raised £131m in cash.

6th November – The CAA launches UK General Aviation opportunities after leaving EASA – a consultation. (CAP1985) This consultation will run until 18 December 2020.

7th November – Ireland West Airport closing for a month as Ryanair halts flights. It will close on November 14th and reopen on Sunday December 13th.

8th November – Pre-flights COVID tests to begin at Cork and Shannon Airports this week. See here for details.

9th November – Government announces the first wave of winners receiving government funding for ground-breaking aviation projects solving major global challenges. Details here

9th November – Secretary of State’s speech to the AOA covering Covid pandemic, recovery works, support, regional connectivity, longer term working and Brexit can be seen here

10th November – Irish Government agrees an €80m funding package for the aviation sector. For details, see here
10th November – Future of Aviation APPG launches enquiry into the effects of C-19 on aviation industry. See here for further details.
11th November – CAA launches consultation on Public Safety Zones – see here for details.
12th November – An article in Airport World titled ‘Tough Times’ about the financial challenges facing airports and policy levers needed for recovery can be seen here.

12th November – Moody’s downgrades credit ratings of 3 of UK’s largest airports as a result of impact of C-19. Those affected are Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham.  
13th November – Belfast International Airport boss says C-19 has wiped out 30 years of growth for air travel in Northern Ireland. Details here.
13th November – An article in Airport World titled: ‘Making better use of airport slots can drive aviation’s recovery’ can be seen here.

15th November – Ryanair boss has warned DAA boss to cut airport charges.  He says this must happen if he wants Dublin to benefit from new Ryanair aircraft.

16th November – An article in Airport World titled: ‘Building a green future’ can be seen here.

16th November – Dublin Airport submits plans for terminal redevelopment works. Plans have been submitted to Fingal Council regarding Terminal 1.

16th November – European airports lose 1.5 billion travellers to date in 2020 says ACI.16th November – Government’s Freeports bidding prospectus published. See here for details. 

16th November – Government publishes its Union Connectivity Review Calls for Evidence

17th November – Two test centres to open at Dublin Airport capable of 12,000 tests per day. There will be an option of drive-through or walk-in tests.

17th November – UK and US sign aviation agreement to protect travel links. See here.
18th November – Extending slots waiver into summer will slow down recovery in Europe. This is according to the CEOs of Ryanair Group and Wizz Air.

18th November – ACI extends its Carbon Accreditation Programme. More details here

19th November – An article in Simple Flying titled ‘The Winners and Losers of Heathrow’s slot allocations’ can be seen here
20th November – Contactless has become the new airport buzzword. See details here.
20th November – An article in Routes Online titled ‘Restoring Connectivity A ‘Life And Death’ Matter’ can be seen here.

22nd November – Duty free shopping to be scrapped at Scottish Airports. Glasgow Airport boss wants Government to rethink decision. 
23rd November – An article in Air Traffic Management giving an outline of plans to drive the modernisation and digitalisation of European ATM can be seen here.

24th November – Government publishes its report of the Global Task Force – for details and access to the document see here and here.  It contains details of airport business rate relief.

25th November – Strike action looms at north airports over plans to centralise air traffic control operations. Union bosses and politicians have opposed the controversial proposal.
26th November – Routes and ACI World announce exclusive partnership to support the industry in rebuilding air connectivity. Further details may be seen here.
28th November – An article about MAG Airports ‘green guru’ Martin Churley can be seen here. 
29th November – 
Dublin Airport woes could impact on Fingal CC spending. Local councillors said they are concerned about Dublin Airport’s ability to pay commercial rates.
30th November – CAA publishes new procedure (CAP1991) for the CAA to review the classification of airspace. Further details and access to the document may be seen here. A summary of the procedure (CAP1991A) may be seen here
30th November – Aer Lingus has formally applied to base aircraft in the UK next year. It’s with a view to operating summer services direct from northern England to North America.

SASIG Library Additions

The April 2019 National Infrastructure Commission report on Better Delivery: the challenge for freight can be seen here.