SASIG Newsletter – June 2021
Editor’s Highlights
Parliamentary activity in relation to aviation in June focused on three key themes: re-opening international routes, financial support to the sector from Government and decarbonisation. The latter is likely to become the dominant issue in the second half of the year and the former two remain industry priorities while Parliament is still sitting. The major airports and airlines have been putting significant resource behind their lobbying efforts, arguably thus far with little effect – management of the pandemic has trumped economic interest in Government eyes, with aviation being seen as the major conduit for importing new variants. There are signs that this balance may begin to shift as the Government’s road map for coming out of lockdown moves to Stage 4, but the situation remains fluid as overnight changes to the traffic light status of different countries continue to make headlines, disrupt airline operational planning and undermine the confidence of the travelling public.
On 11th June we had a further example, if one was needed, of the consequences of the Government’s hands-off approach to aviation in the UK as Stobart Air, flying as Aer Lingus Regional, was placed into administration despite the fact many of the routes it was operating for Aer Lingus between Dublin, Belfast and the British mainland had strong load factors. Whereas in the US and the great majority of EU countries (Italy being the latest recipient of EU state aid approval to the tune of €800m), respective Governments have stepped in to support airlines and airports directly, in the UK Thomas Cook, Primera, Bmi Regional, Flybe, Cityjet, VLM and now Stobart have all been allowed to fail, whilst others like Norwegian have retrenched out of the UK. Something as simple as the Chapter 11 provisions used in the US, Canada and more recently in Italy and Ireland ,may well have avoided some of these problems and allowed a viable regional airline sector to be retained for the strategic benefit of the UK and the regional airport ecosystem its serves. Instead, the UK has the highest airline failure rate of any country in the world in the last 5 years and its status as the number 2 aviation country in the world has been lost to China and more recently France and Germany.
The economic and strategic consequences of this neglect appear not to be understood properly, or to be being quietly ignored within Government, because we have also learned that there will no longer be an Aviation Recovery Plan per se (despite promises throughout the pandemic), rather any proposals relating thereto will now form part of a ‘thematic’, ‘high level’ strategic plan for aviation. What the themes will be is unclear but it is certain one will relate to decarbonisation as the Climate Change Committee’s 2021 Progress Report to Parliament continues to put pressure on the Government to amongst other things restrain aviation growth. DfT’s response to this challenge, will be clearer when it publishes it Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Jet Zero consultation next month.
Chris Cain
Policy Director
SASIG
Monthly Highlights
11th June –Stobart Air goes into liquidation affecting many regional flights – see here.
14th June – PM extends release date for final lockdown restrictions to 19 July.
17th June – Gatwick Airport publishes its second ‘Decade of Change’ goals – a sustainability policy looking ahead to 2030 – see here.
23rd June – Travel industry holds day of action in response to restrictions.
Events, Meetings and Conferences
SASIG Meetings
(To note: depending on any restrictions continuing, some of these meetings may be held virtually. It is therefore advised to check with the Secretariat first before making any travel arrangements).
21 July 2021: 10:30-1pm: SASIG full meeting – virtual meeting via Zoom.
29 September 2021: 10:30-1pm: SASIG full meeting/ afternoon workshop – Westminster Suite, LGA.
15 December 2021: 10:30-1pm: SASIG full meeting/ afternoon workshop – Westminster Suite, LGA
External Conferences (please note: due to the pandemic, some changes have occurred).
2nd September 2021: 2nd International Hydrogen Aviation Conference, Glasgow.
10-12 October 2021: World Routes 2021: Milan, Italy.W/b: 11 October 2021: ABTA Travel Convention: Virtual meeting.
1-2 December 2021: 9th European Aviation Conference: Heilbronn, Germany
5, 6 & 7 April 2022: Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France.
18-22 May 2022: Routes Europe: Bergen, Norway.
Parliamentary and Government News
The Government announced the following provisional recess date for the next session of Parliament (2021-22):
- Summer recess: 22 July 2021 (rise) to 6 September 2021 (return)
10th June – Carbon Budget Order 2021
The Grand Committee was asked to consider the Carbon Budget Order 2021 – see here.
Transport Questions: House of Commons:
10th June – Aviation, Travel & Tourism Industries
The House was asked to consider the aviation, travel and tourism industries in light of the impact of the pandemic – see here.
16th June – Transport Decarbonisation Plan
The House was asked to consider the Transport Decarbonisation Plan – see here.
24th June – COVID-19: Support for Aviation, Tourism and Travel Industries
The House was asked to consider support for the aviation, tourism and travel industries in response to the covid-19 pandemic – see here.
29th June – International Travel
A debate on international travel and its restrictions may be seen here.
Transport Questions: House of Lords
7th June – Net-Zero Carbon Emissions
Government was asked whether they plan to publish a strategy for public engagement and behaviour change to support their target for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and if so, when. See here.
16th June – BA and Ryanair Customer Refunds
The Government was asked what discussions they’ve had with representatives of the international travel industry about the impact of the action being taken by the Competition and Markets Authority against BA and Ryanair regarding refunds for customers – see here.
24th June – Tourism
The House was asked to take note of the need to promote tourism in the United Kingdom – see here.
29th June – Climate Change
Government was asked what steps they intend to take in response to the Climate Change Committee’s 2021 Progress Report to Parliament, published on 24 June – see here.
Parliamentary Questions:
Q.1. Question (HL1007) asked by Marquess of Lothian on 10 June 2021: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many additional Border Force staff have been mobilised since 17 May to reduce the queueing time at passport control in Heathrow Airport; and what is the average queueing time at passport control on arrival at Heathrow”.
A. Baroness Williams of Trafford on 24 June 2021: “Border Force is ensuring that it has the right level of resources to check that passengers are compliant with our border health measures to minimise wait times at the border whilst ensuring we maintain border security and public health. We have taken steps to make sure that there is the maximum number of additional Border Force officers possible to carry out those crucial checks, ensuring compliance with health measures, while minimizing wait time. Since January 2020 to May 2021 Border Force overall workforce has grown by over 290 to a figure of around 9,300 FTE. This is in addition to the return of staff from detached duty and the return of critically vulnerable staff to the front line, as well the capability to deploy resources flexibly across the United Kingdom to deal with any increase on demand. As the Director General of Border Force stated at the Public Account Committee session on the 10th June, the average time this year for anyone travelling through Heathrow has been under 30 minutes”.
Q.2. Question (10333) asked by Mark Menzies (Fylde) on 4 June 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to (a) promote the UK as a tourist destination abroad and (b) attract more foreign visitors to (i) smaller towns and (ii) coastal areas”.
A. Nigel Huddleston on 11 June 2021: “We are currently working with VisitBritain, VisitEngland and local partners to champion England’s diverse tourism offer through the Enjoy Summer Safely campaign. Last year the Government spent £19 million on domestic marketing activity, such as the Enjoy Summer Safely campaign, and much more is planned for this year. The Government will work with VisitBritain to welcome back international visitors as soon as it is safe to do so. More broadly, the Tourism Recovery Plan will set out a long-term framework for how the Government will work with the sector to build back better from the pandemic and develop a more sustainable, innovative, and data-driven tourism industry, including in coastal areas. The Levelling Up Fund, the 83 Towns Deals and the City and Growth Deals in Scotland and Wales show that the Government is investing in tourism infrastructure across the Union, helping towns and coastal areas further develop their tourism offers. In recent years, the £45m Discover England Fund has supported the development of multiple internationally marketed tourism products in Lancashire, such as VisitBritain’s Gateway Partnership with Manchester Airport”.
Q.3. Question (12307) asked by Daisy Cooper (St. Albans) on 8 June 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to ensure social distancing in airports is adhered to”.
A. Robert Courts on 14 June 2021: “The government has issued clear guidance for both passengers and operators, with airports encouraged to introduce clear signage and one-way passenger flows where appropriate. Arrangements may vary depending on the airport and guidance is available to support operators to manage flows in a COVID-secure way. We continue to improve processes which maintain the checks we need to carry out to keep the public safe, while minimising disruption, and passengers can support this process by ensuring they have completed the necessary requirements to enter the UK. The government continues to engage with the aviation sector to ensure they are supported in implementing best practices”.
Q.4. Question (14208) asked by Marsha Da Cordova (Battersea) on 11 June 2021: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support his Department has allocated for the travel, aviation and tourism industries”.
A. Kemi Badenoch on 17 June 2021: “The aviation and aerospace sectors are being supported with over £11 billion made available through loan guarantees, support for exporters, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility and grants for research and development. In addition, the renewed Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme that the Chancellor announced in his Budget will provide support for eligible businesses with their fixed costs for a further six months, up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities for the first half of the 2021-22 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £4m. In England, the wider travel and tourism sectors can benefit from the £5 billion package of grant support announced at Budget. This includes Restart Grants worth up to £6,000 if classified as non-essential retail or up to £18,000 if classified as a leisure or accommodation business. This package of support also includes the £425 million top-up to the Additional Restrictions Grant which has already provided Local Authorities (LAs) with £1.6 billion. This funding is at the LA’s discretion and is intended to support businesses which are not eligible for Restart Grants, but which are nonetheless experiencing a severe impact on their business. The Government continues to review all the economic support schemes, including grant support, as the public health response evolves.
Q.5. Question (15214) asked by Jack Lopresti (Filton & Bradley Stoke) on 14 June 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the contribution to environmental sustainability of the aerospace industry in the South West of England”.
A. Paul Scully on 21 June 2021: “The South West of England is home to a large cluster of the UK’s leading aerospace businesses. Its contribution to environmental sustainability of the aerospace industry is therefore significant. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently launched a new Airbus wing technology centre (AIRTeC) as part of its Wing of Tomorrow programme. This centre and research undertaken by companies such as GKN and Rolls-Royce will keep the South West at the forefront of the global move towards cleaner aviation. As part of my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, the Government is investing in future green aviation across the whole of the UK. in order to accelerate this work, we have created a Jet Zero Council which brings together stakeholders spanning airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers, fuel suppliers, academia, and environmental groups”.
Q.6. Question (15393) asked by Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Streatham) on 14 June 2021: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what tailored long-term support he will make available to (a) airlines and (b) the travel industry in response to increased covid-19 transmission and changing guidelines for international travel”.
A. Kemi Badenoch on 21 June 2021: “The aviation and aerospace sectors are being supported with over £11 billion made available through loan guarantees, support for exporters, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility and grants for research and development. In England, the wider travel and tourism sectors can benefit from the £5 billion package of grant support announced at Budget. This includes Restart Grants worth up to £6,000 if classified as non-essential retail or up to £18,000 if classified as a leisure or accommodation business. This package of support also includes the £425 million top-up to the Additional Restrictions Grant which has already provided Local Authorities (LAs) with £1.6 billion. This funding is at the LAs discretion and is intended to support businesses which are not eligible for Restart Grants, but which are nonetheless experiencing a severe impact on their business. The Government continues to review all the economic support schemes, including grant support, as the public health response evolves”.
Q.7. Question (16049) asked by Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) on 15 June 2021: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department plans to publish a response to the consultation on aviation tax reform”.
A. Kemi Badenoch on 21 June 2021: “The consultation on aviation tax reform closed on 15 June. We are currently reviewing responses to the consultation and will update on timing in due course”.
Q.8. Question (18611) asked by Ruth Edwards (Rushcliffe) on 18 June 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to support the recovery of the aviation sector”.
A. Robert Courts on 28 June 2021: “The Government recognises the challenging times facing the air transport sector due to COVID-19. The sector is crucial to the UK’s economy and businesses across the industry have drawn on an unprecedented package of economic measures which we have put in place. In total, we estimate that by the end of September 2021 the air transport sector (airlines, airports and related services) will have benefited around £7bn of Government support since the start of the pandemic. The Global Travel Taskforce has worked with industry and international partners to develop a risk-based framework that can facilitate the return of international travel while managing Variants of Concern. There will be checkpoint reviews on 28 June, 31 July and 1 October 2021 to take account of the domestic and international health picture. The Government is also working on a strategic framework for the future of the aviation sector. It will focus on building back better and ensuring a successful UK aviation sector for the future. This will be published later this year”.
Q.9. Question (16253) asked by Sam Tarry (Ilford South) on 15 June 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to support the aviation industry and its personnel during the covid-19 pandemic”.
A. Robert Courts on 23 June 2021: “The Government has provided significant support to the aviation sector. We estimate that by the end of September 2021, the air transport sector will have benefitted from around £7bn of Government support since the beginning of the pandemic. This includes support through loan guarantees, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. To support aviation personnel, the Department launched the Aviation Skills Retention Platform, allowing aviation sector workers who are out of work to register their skills and pursue job and upskilling opportunities. Through the platform, we are funding training places to retain and develop skills within the sector. Moreover, we are working across government to maximise use of existing support measures to assist aviation workers at risk of redundancy to stay in employment or move between sectors”.
Q.10. Question (20587) asked by Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) on 22 June 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to decarbonise aviation”.
A. Robert Courts on 20 June 2021: “It is critical that the aviation sector plays its part in delivering the UK’s net zero commitment and the Government is already supporting a variety of technology, fuel and market-based measures to address aviation emissions. We have also established the Jet Zero Council, a partnership between industry and government, to drive the delivery of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions. The Government is clear that international action on aviation emissions is essential given the global nature of the sector, and so the UK remains fully committed to action through international processes and takes a leading role in the work of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to reduce emissions from international aviation. We will be consulting on our strategy to achieve net zero aviation shortly, setting out the steps to reach net zero aviation emissions by 2050”.
Q.11. Question (21188) asked by Robert Halfon (Harlow) on 23 June 2021: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will match the support given to retail and hospitality sectors by extending the Airports and Ground Operators Support Scheme to offer relief equivalent to full, uncapped business rates in 2021”.
A. Robert Courts on 28 June 2021: “The aviation sector is crucial to the UK’s economy and businesses across the industry have drawn on an unprecedented package of economic measures which we have put in place. This includes support through loan guarantees, support for exporters, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Airport and Ground Operations Scheme. In total, we estimate that by the end of September 2021 the air transport sector will have benefited from around £7bn of Government support since the start of the pandemic. The Airport and Ground Operations Scheme provides eligible commercial airports support towards their fixed costs. The Scheme originally opened in January to provide support to airports for the 2020/21 financial year. In the March Budget, the Chancellor announced a six-month renewal to the scheme from April, initial payments will be made towards the end of the summer. The caps on the support strike an appropriate balance between supporting airports and ground handing companies in financial distress while protecting the interests of the taxpayer. The support will help airports and ground handlers following the introduction of international travel restrictions designed to protect the public. We continue to take a flexible approach and keep all impacts and policies under review”.
National and Regional News
1st June – Covid-19: Red list arrivals terminal opens at Heathrow Airport. Travellers arriving on direct flights from red list nations will now transit through Terminal Three.
1st June – An article in Airport Technology titled: ‘Ready, jet, go: Are UK airports ready for a June departure date? can be seen here.
1st June – Luton Airport launches new digital services. Contactless food ordering and portable chargers are amongst the new innovations.
2nd June – Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen unveils Teesside Airport’s multimillion-pound terminal redevelopment. It comes as the first Ryanair flight takes off from the airport.
2nd June – Bristol Airport launches new fund to help fast track decarbonisation schemes in the South West. They will specifically focus on emissions produced from flight activity.
2nd June – Airport protestors call on MP to back enquiry. They want to know if a public enquiry should be held to examine expansion plans at Leeds Bradford Airport.
3rd June – Heathrow Airport to use renewable jet fuel for the first time. It is part of a test ahead of a Group of Seven (G7) rich nations summit in the UK next week.
3rd June – The proposed takeover of Carlisle Lake District Airport has suffered a setback. Reports say the ‘proposed financing for the transaction is no longer available’.
4th June – Boss of Stansted Airport unhappy with latest ‘traffic light’ system. He’s accused Govt of “unfairly scapegoating” international travel after removing Portugal from green list. Boss of Southend Airport also says it is yet another blow for the aviation industry.
4th June – Southampton Airport runway expansion will go ahead as the government raises no objections. They want to expand runway by a further 164 metres.
5th June – Work to expand Southampton Airport runway could start this summer. Airport bosses have asked campaigners not to delay the work to expand the runway by 164m.
8th June – London Biggin Hill has government approval to accept international flights from ‘red list’ countries. Those flying in must be British or Irish nationals or be UK residents.
8th June – Doncaster Sheffield Airport speaks to Aviation Minster regarding the impact of travel restrictions on the aviation industry – see here.
9th June – Uttlesford District Council leader has written to government ministers asking for their help to block Stansted’s expansion – see here.
9th June – AOA issues warning that airports stand to lose at least £2.6bn in revenue this summer. The statement can be seen here.
10th June – Consultation on Luton Airport arrival route changes sees nearly 2,500 responses.
10th June – Work to resume on £11m hotel near Norwich Airport after Covid delay. It will be a five-minute walk away from the main terminal.
11th June – Heathrow passenger numbers keep dwindling as CEO urges G7 for safe travel. From June 2020 to May 2021, there was 79.3% drop in terminal passenger numbers in UK.
11th June – Bottleneck near Southend Airport could be tackled. Council reveals plans as part of £55m bid to Govt’s Levelling Up fund to drive regeneration/growth across the town.
12th June – Councillors call to put Sunderland on the map and rename Newcastle Airport to include Wearside. They propose calling it Newcastle Sunderland International Airport.
13th June – UK airport passenger numbers drop 75% to 74m in 2020 says figures from CAA.
13th June – An article in Sussex Live titled ‘Crawley: How people are coping after a year of COVID, lockdown and no Gatwick flights’ can be seen here.
14th June – The struggling parent company of Stobart Air, which collapsed at the weekend, is in advanced talks to raise £120m from the sale of a stake in Southend Airport – see here.
15th June – An article in the Local Government Chronicle titled: ‘Turbulence ahead: how Covid and climate concerns have hit council-owned airports’ can be seen here.
16th June – Heathrow Airport expansion ‘not needed at the moment’ says Howard Davies whose 2015 report originally recommended it – see here.
16th June – Uttlesford DC begins legal challenge against planning appeal decision to grant airport growth – see here.
16th June – Campaigners are to mount a legal challenge over a decision to expand runway at Southampton Airport. Decision was made by Eastleigh BC.
17th June – Loganair to operate British Airways flights from Teesside Airport. Loganair ‘codeshare’ flights will link BA passengers via Heathrow to 134 worldwide destinations.
17th June – Gatwick Airport publishes its second ‘Decade of Change’ goals – a sustainability policy looking ahead to 2030 – see here.
17th June – Gatwick Airport ‘has no plans’ to remove car drop off charges. Airport chiefs say it is a way of increasing revenue because of losses due to the pandemic.
18th June – London City Airport expands testing facilities – see here.
18th June – BALPA says UK aviation is hardest hit in Europe – see here.
19th June – Cones go up outside Teesside Airport entrance as free parking is scrapped. Under a new “drop-off” tariff, drivers must now pay £2.50 for the first 15 minutes.
20th June – Reports suggest BA may consider dropping Gatwick to boost Heathrow service.
21st June – Money raised for legal challenge against Southampton Airport runway extension. Campaigners seeking a judicial review into Eastleigh BC’s green light for the plans.
22nd June – Flights from Norwich to Amsterdam restart this week – see here.
23rd June – Birmingham Airport is losing an “eye-watering” amount of money under current Covid travel restrictions. Its boss says its running at 5% of pre-Covid flight levels.
23rd June – Stansted Airport boss confirms commitment to a carbon net-zero future for UK aviation – see here.
24th June – East-west link: New green mass public transport system proposed from Hemel Hempstead and Watford to Harlow and Stansted Airport.
24th June – Electric aircraft due to fly out of Newquay Airport this summer – see here.
24th June – London City Airport to trial electric buses for airside operation. This is part of the airport’s efforts to reduce energy consumption.
24th June – Heathrow western access rail link ‘set to be mothballed’ – see here.
25th June – Newcastle Airport renaming bid branded ‘a gimmick’. Verbal volleys were fired during a Sunderland City Council debate on the idea, proposed by the Lib Dems.
25th June – Southampton Airport runway extension legal challenge hits £10k target. Money raised goes towards funding a Judicial Review of Eastleigh BC’s approval of the plan.
26th June – Bristol Airport to be first Net-Zero airport in UK. It says it will achieve net-zero status by 2030 – 20 years ahead of targets set by the UK Government.
28th June – Luton Airport+NATS go ahead with flight path plans over Hunts. They’ve adjusted the lowest standard altitude of the hold and raised this by 1,000ft to reduce potential noise impacts on residents.
29th June – Council agrees loan to Luton Airport. Luton BC is to loan a further £119m to the airport it owns to help it recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
29th June – Heathrow Airport forecasts further slide in commercial income but remains upbeat – see here.
30th June –Southend Airport operator on verge of achieving substantial loan. It’s discussing additional funding with banks and shareholders to meet its future financing requirements.
Other Aviation Industry News
1st June – Former London City Airport CCO takes over the controls at Belfast – see here.
1st June – An article in Passenger Terminal Today titled: ‘A future of innovation … delivering tangible value to airport operations’ can be seen here.
1st June – Winners chosen in hydrogen aviation competition.
2nd June – An article in Airport Technology titled: ‘Private jet emissions: how much do they cost the environment?’ can be seen here.
3rd June – An article in Airport Technology titled: ‘The airport drone threat: a storm in a teacup?’ can be seen here.
3rd June – Airports in Europe at risk of ‘chaos’ as routes restart says ACI. They say airports and Governments may not be ready for the return of passengers this summer.
4th June – Biggin Hill application to operate fare-paying flights rejected by Bromley Council. It’s concerned more flights and use of larger aircraft will affect noise levels and pollution.
6th June – Industrial action by air traffic controllers to affect airport at Wick. It is in opposition to controversial plans to centralise air traffic control services to Inverness.
7th June – An article in Travel Daily titled: ‘’Airlines will be forced to aim at long and thin routes’ can be seen here.
8th June – The path has been cleared for new £14 million station to serve Inverness Airport.
8th June – Net zero by 2050: ACI sets global long-term carbon goal for airports – see here.
9th June – An article in Corporate Travel Community titled: ‘It’s time to get smart – funding and building the airport infrastructure of the future in a post-COVID world can be seen here.
10th June –Agreement has been reached between Shannon Group and others to develop a passenger and cargo vertiport, which would be located adjacent to Shannon airport.
12th June – Aer Lingus cancels regional flights as Stobart Air appoints liquidator. Stobart Air blames impact of pandemic which has resulted in almost no flying since March 2020.
13th June – Covid: Cardiff Airport saw biggest drop in passengers in UK – see here.
15th June – Passenger numbers at Irish airports drop by 5.5 million says CSO statistics. The figures are down by 94.4% when compared with 2019.
15th June – Aer Lingus and BA step in after Stobart collapse. 12 routes are affected. Aer Lingus will pick up 5 while BA CityFlyer will take over another 2 as an interim measure.
16th June – An article titled: ‘Five questions airport leaders should consider when rolling out biometrics’ can be seen here.
17th June – Ryanair and MAG are reportedly preparing to launch legal action against the Government over its international travel traffic light system.
18th June – ACI Europe says decade-long “investment crunch” due to C-19 will have “far-reaching consequences” for decarbonisation, consumers and businesses across Europe.
18th June – An article in Airport World titled: ‘Scenario planning will help airports cope with the expected Q3 upturn in traffic’ can be seen here.
18th June – An article titled: ‘The private jet boom: bookings soar as Britain’s first pay-per-seat service launches’ (flights out of Biggin Hill and Farnborough) can be seen here. 19th June – Oban Airport rolls out fuel service. It is now open to visiting pilots on a self-service basis.
19th June – Cork Airport is implementing a multi-million euro capital investment project to prepare for an ‘aggressive reopening’ later this year – see here.
21st June – APPG on coronavirus urges Government to streamline testing rules and upgrade technology to avoid long border queues. Also, see their report here.
22nd June – Airport Review article written by ACI World Director for Information & Technology titled: ‘Airport technology priorities in the face of a pandemic’ can be seen here.
23rd June – A solar farm which will be first of its kind at a Scottish airport will provide 26% of Edinburgh Airport’s energy needs. It’s supported by Scottish Govt funding of £2million.
23rd June – Travel industry holds day of action in response to restrictions.
24th June – MP for Cleethorpes says new freeports will lead the Government’s levelling-up agenda – see here.
24th June – New machine to detect airborne coronavirus particles trialled at Teesside Airport.
25th June – New £4.5m Stormont incentive scheme for airlines to retain routes to Britain. It will be administered by Invest NI, with a cut-off point of 31 October 2021.
25th June – Concern over future of Waterford Airport. Government pulls emergency funding saying it “cannot be continued” in light of the “radically changed outlook” caused by C-19.
25th June – Travel industry responds to updated ‘green list’ – see here.
25th June – Article titled: “Cleaner, Greener Airports: Making Aviation More Sustainable – Aberdeen Airport’ can be seen here.
26th June – An article in Simple Flying titled: ‘How Do Airports Actually Make Money?” can be seen here.
27th June – See here for an article in Simple Flying titled: ‘What happened to the UK’s Britannia Airways?”
28th June – HIAL invests in emission-free lighting towers.
29th June – EU airlines, airports warn digital Covid certificate roll-out risks chaos. The EU’s system of digital Covid-19 travel certificates is due to come into force on Thursday.30th June – ACI World reveals vast capital expenditure needs for airport sector recovery.30th June – An article in Airport Technology titled: ‘Touchless travel: the introduction of airport biometrics’ can be seen here.
30th June – Aberdeen Airport commits to net zero by mid-2030s. Commitments within the strategy include the promotion of sustainable aviation fuels, hydrogen and electric flight.
SASIG Library Additions
There were no Library Additions this month.