SASIG January Newsletter

by | Mar 16, 2022 | Uncategorised

Editor’s Highlights   

January is typically one of the quietest months of the year for aviation in terms of traffic levels but it also proved relatively quiet month for aviation related policy news.

When Parliament returned after its seasonal break the principal aviation business was first the removal of pre-departure testing for vaccinated passengers and then a series of announcement relating to the Government’s airspace modernisation agenda. These can be found in the Monthly Highlights section. 

More controversial is the consultation on the rights of airline passengers which includes provisions to reduce the S261 compensation that airlines have to pay in the event of delays or cancellation.

In terms of industry news, two common themes appeared across the month – optimism that booking for the summer months would be higher than last year, a welcome boost for the sector, and evidence that both airports and airlines are beginning to recruit staff again in response. Are these the ‘green shoots of recovery’ or another false dawn to be lost to another COVID Variant of Concern or other external shock affecting the restoration of demand towards 2019 levels?

Chris Cain

Policy Director
SASIG

Monthly Highlights

5 January – Pre-departure testing removed for vaccinated travellers.

6 January – Written statement to parliament regarding CAA’s publication of the annual progress report on the UK’s airspace modernisation strategy. (CAP2281)

10 January – CAA launches consultation on draft Airspace Modernisation Strategy (2022-2040)

18 January – CAA issues notice about the potential interference risk to radio altimeters from 5G mobile technology.
21st January – Further funding announced to redesign the UK’s airspace to create quicker journeys and cut emissions –  see here for further details.

24th January – Government supports aviation sector recovery with airport slot alleviation for summer 2022 – see here.

31st January – Government proposes to strengthen rights of airline passengers. These include considering creation of fairer compensation model for when domestic flights are delayed.

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).

7 April 2022:  10:00: SASIG meeting. Virtual via Zoom.

25 May 2022: SASIG conference/event: Westminster Suite, LGA or virtual. TBC.

6 July 2022: 10:30: SASIG meeting/AGM:  Westminster Suite, LGA or virtual. TBC.

External Conferences (please note: due to the pandemic, some changes may have occurred).

Parliamentary and Government News

Recess dates for both House of Commons and Lords: 
Both Houses rose on 16 December 2021 and returned on 5 January 2022.

5 January – Pre-departure testing removed for vaccinated travellers. See here for Government press release.

6 January – Written statement to parliament regarding CAA’s publication of the annual progress report on the UK’s airspace modernisation strategy. (CAP2281)

21 January – Further funding announced to redesign the UK’s airspace to create quicker journeys and cut emissions –  see here for further details.

24 January – Secretary of State for Transport makes statement on international travel.

24 January – Aviation Minister publishes the draft Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2022 and an accompanying explanatory memorandum.

27 January – CAA publishes its decision to accept ACOG’s Airspace Change Masterplan Iteration 2 (CAP2312b) in the Airspace Modernisation Strategy.

31st January – Government proposes to strengthen rights of airline passengers. These include considering creation of fairer compensation model for when domestic flights are delayed.

Transport Questions:  House of Commons: 

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

Transport Questions:  House of Lords

13 January – Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 (Airspace Change Directions) (Determination of Turnover for Penalties) Regulations 2022  The Grand Committee was asked by Baroness Vere of Norbiton to consider the above.

25 January – The Grand Committee was asked to consider the Transport Act 2000 (Air Traffic Services Licence Modification Appeals) (Prescribed Aerodromes) Regulations 2022.

(Motion agreed on 27 January – see here.)

Parliamentary Questions:  

Q.1. Question (96945) asked by Patricia Gibson (North Ayrshire & Arran) on 4 January 2022: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on additional support for the UK travel industry in response to the (a) imposition of covid-19 related restrictions on and (b) reductions in international travel”.

A. Helen Whately on 10 January 2022: “The Chancellor speaks to his colleagues on a regular basis about a range of matters. Ultimately the best way to support aviation and the wider travel sector is through the safe and sustainable recovery of international travel, which is why we have recently confirmed the removal of pre-departure and day 2 PCR test requirements for eligible fully vaccinated passengers and all under 18s arriving in England. The Government is working with the Devolved Administrations to ensure a four-nation approach, which we fully support. We have worked closely with the travel sector throughout the pandemic to help find ways to enable people to travel safely, while protecting public health. The aviation and aerospace sectors are being supported with over £12 billion made available through loan guarantees, support for exporters, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility and grants for research and development”.


Q.2. Question (100418) asked by Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) on 10 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department will open the Aviation Consumer Policy consultation as part of the Government’s aviation strategy; and whether changes are planned to the scope of that consultation in response to covid-related events that have affected the sector”.
A. Robert Courts on 12 January 2022: “The Government remains absolutely committed to ensuring consumers are protected when travelling by air. As announced in both the Global Travel Taskforce report in April, and the recent announcement by Government on Regulatory reforms, we will consult on additional, flexible and modern tools to enforce consumer rights. We will publish the consultation in due course at an appropriate time”.

Q.3. Question (99007) asked by Louise Haigh (Sheffield, Heeley) on 6 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will list the (a) studies, (b) reports, and (c) research currently being conducted by his Department and the estimated date of publication of each”.
A. Andrew Stephenson on 14 January 2022: “DfT is committed to evidence-based policy making, and so as part of its business as usual activity, undertakes a wealth of research and conducts studies to inform decision-making in specific policy areas. This includes areas such as Transport Security Resilience and Response, Road Safety, National and High Speed Rail, Electric Vehicles, Local Transport, and Aviation and Airports. Specific pieces of research/ studies (not exhaustive) due to be published in 2022 include: Retrospective evaluation of key Office for Zero Emission Vehicle schemes, National Evaluation of the E-scooter Trials and In-depth Research into Confidence in Public Transport.

In addition to policy-led research to support specific modes, the department conducts cross-cutting research, development and innovation (see DfT’s Science Plan for more information). Often, this is to support delivery of its strategic priorities such as decarbonisation and in response to emerging issues, like Covid-19. The department publishes its Areas of Research Interest each year which sets out its strategic evidence and research needs for the medium-long term to help achieve DfT’s wide-ranging and ambitious objectives.

The department is committed to publishing the social research and evaluation studies it commissions to inform its policies and projects. Studies will be published at the final report stage after thorough analytical review of their findings has been completed, including peer review where appropriate. Interim outputs are not published routinely. As a guideline for publication timing, we follow the Government social research publication protocol.

In terms of upcoming reports, the department is hoping to publish a number in 2022 which will bring together research into a number of key areas. These include, the UK’s EV Infrastructure Strategy for 2030 (our long-term plan for a world-leading charging infrastructure network across the UK), Course to Zero (aimed at achieving net zero emissions in the UK domestic maritime sector by 2050), Aviation Jet Zero (our vision for how the aviation sector will reach net zero aviation by 2050), and a Low Carbon Fuels Strategy (a strategy on the deployment of low carbon fuels across different transport modes in the period up to 2050)”.

Q.4. Question (107685) asked by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) on 19 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the total amount of public money spent on (a) consulting on and (b) planning the Western Rail Link to Heathrow”.

A. Wendy Morton on 25 January 2022: “The estimated total amount of money spent on the Western Rail Link to Heathrow is £46.9m”.

Q.5. Question (105698) asked by Paul Girvan (South Antrim) on 17 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to support regional airports that have lost a significant amount of income due to the covid-19 outbreak”.

A. Robert Courts on 21 January 2022: “This government has renewed the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) for a third time to support airports and ground handlers suffering losses as a result of COVID-19. The latest renewal of the scheme, which is open to eligible regional airports in England, will provide up to £4m of support towards permitted fixed costs, and represents a crucial funding and liquidity bridge through the typically challenging winter months for the sector, toward the increased stability that the summer season offers. By the end of this financial year, this government will have in total provided up to £175m through the AGOSS scheme. This forms part of the around £8 billion of government support that the air transport sector has benefitted from since the start of the pandemic, demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding the sector. Support for airports outside of England remains a devolved matter, with the support offered through AGOSS consistent with measures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and new AGOSS funding attracting Barnett consequentials for the devolved administrations in the usual manner”.


Q.6. Question (110650) asked by Kim Johnson (Liverpool, Riverside) on 24 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of proposed (a) Liverpool and (b) Heathrow airport expansions on (i) levels of UK carbon emissions and (ii) the ability of the Government to meet its targets on reducing those emissions”.
A. Robert Courts on 28 January 2022: “The Government is supportive of airport expansion where it can be delivered within our environmental obligations. We welcome the efforts of airports across the UK to come forward with ambitious proposals to invest in their infrastructure. Every development proposal is judged by the relevant planning authority, taking careful account of all relevant considerations, including environmental impacts and proposed mitigations. The aviation sector has a critical role to play in delivering the UK’s net zero commitment. In July 2021, we published the Jet Zero Consultation which set out our vision for the aviation sector to reach net zero by 2050. Our consultation includes scenarios that achieve our net zero target by focussing on new fuels and technology. We are carefully considering consultation responses in the development of our final Jet Zero Strategy which we aim to publish later this year”.

Q.7. Question (110626) asked by Kim Johnson (Liverpool, Riverside) on 24 January 2022: “To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has been carried out on the potential effect of increased pollution, noise and emissions from Liverpool’s proposed airport expansion on people’s physical and mental health”.
A. Robert Courts on 28 January 2022: “The Government is supportive of airport expansion where it can be delivered within our environmental obligations. We welcome the efforts of airports across the UK to come forward with ambitious proposals to invest in their infrastructure. Every development proposal is judged by the relevant planning authority, taking careful account of all relevant considerations, including environmental impacts and proposed mitigations. The aviation sector has a critical role to play in delivering the UK’s net zero commitment. In July 2021, we published the Jet Zero Consultation which set out our vision for the aviation sector to reach net zero by 2050. Our consultation includes scenarios that achieve our net zero target by focussing on new fuels and technology. We are carefully considering consultation responses in the development of our final Jet Zero Strategy which we aim to publish later this year”.

Q.8. Question (105473) asked by Henry Smith (Crawley) on 17 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the Business Rates Relief Fund, whether his Department made an assessment of the potential value of discounts that would have been awarded to airports in England in the event that airports had been permitted to pursue covid-19-related Material Change of Circumstance appeals with the Valuation Office Agency”.
A. Kemi Badenoch on 26 January 2022: “Parliament recently passed legislation to rule out coronavirus as grounds for a ‘material change of circumstances’ appeal of rateable value. It is a core principle of the business rates system that market-wide economic changes affecting property values, such as the pandemic, should only be considered at general revaluations. Prior to this legislation being introduced, the Valuation Office Agency were at an early stage of considering their response to the material change of circumstances appeals. Although discussions had taken place no valuations had been agreed”.

Q.9. Question (105472) asked by Henry Smith (Crawley) on 17 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the Business Rates Relief Fund, whether his Department made an assessment of how much support airports would potentially have been entitled to before being deemed ineligible for that fund”.
A. Kemi Badenoch on 26 January 2022: “The Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund was introduced to enable local authorities to provide targeted support to sectors who were affected by the pandemic but ineligible for previous support linked to business rates. For that reason, those airports in England which have received support for their fixed costs, based on the equivalent of their business rates liabilities, through the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) are not eligible for this relief. The renewed Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) that the Chancellor announced at the Autumn Budget provides support for eligible businesses with their fixed costs for a further six months, up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities for the second half of the 2021-22 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £4 million”.

Q.10. Question (105471) asked by Henry Smith (Crawley) on 17 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what the value is of (a) business rates paid by airports in England and (b) support distributed to airports through the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme in England during the covid-19 outbreak”.
A. Kemi Badenoch on 26 January 2022: “Data on the amount of business rates paid by type of business in England is not collected. The renewed Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) that the Chancellor announced at the Autumn Budget provides support for eligible businesses with their fixed costs for a further six months, up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities for the second half of the 2021-22 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £4 million. The Scheme has been renewed twice and in total around £175 million has been made available”.

Q.11. Question (105470) asked by Henry Smith (Crawley) on 17 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what the value is of business rates relief provided to (a) the retail sector, (b) the hospitality sector, (c) the leisure sector and (d) airports in England during the covid-19 outbreak”.
A. Kemi Badenoch on 26 January 2022: “The total value of business rates relief provided to the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England was £11.1 billion in 2020/21, and is forecasted to be £5.8 billion in 2021/22. The renewed Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) that the Chancellor announced at the Autumn Budget provides support for eligible businesses with their fixed costs for a further six months, up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities for the second half of the 2021-22 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £4 million”.

Q.12. Question (HL5595) asked by Viscount Stansgate on 20 January 2022: “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking in respect of the concerns raised by the aviation industry about the potentially dangerous effects of 5G networks on certain categories of aircraft”.
A. Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 28 January 2022: “We continue to monitor US Aviation industry concerns that the US 5G network could affect equipment onboard aircraft. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is leading on assessing any risks from the implementation of the UK 5G network on aviation safety, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence, OFCOM, and industry stakeholders. The CAA has issued guidance to UK operators throughout the world on 5G status in other countries, including the US. The UK CAA will continue to monitor the situation, and both my department and the CAA is in close contact with industry, the US Federal Aviation Administration, the EU Aviation Safety Agency and other stakeholders on this”.

Q.13. Question (110499) asked by Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) on 24 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many flights with no or very few passengers have operated in the UK to ensure that landing slots are retained by airlines in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) 2022 to date”.
A. Robert Courts on 27 January 2022: “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on air passenger demand and this has inevitably led to flights with fewer passengers. We do not hold reliable data on the number of flights with no or very few passengers flown in order to retain slots. Since the start of the pandemic the Government has implemented alleviation from the usual slot usage requirements – these were originally intended to protect airlines’ finances while minimising the risk of airlines operating environmentally damaging ghost flights solely to retain slots. The rules requiring airlines to use slots in order to retain them were fully suspended for the Summer 2020, Winter 2020/21 and Summer 2021 seasons. The UK’s exit from the EU means that it has been able to take a more tailored approach that reflects the UK’s specific circumstances. As the pandemic has gone on, the Government is now also keen to encourage recovery. In the Winter 2021/22 Season which will last until 27 March 2022 we have set the usage requirement for slots at 50%. We also gave airlines the option of handing back slot series that they were not intending to use before the season started to allow other airlines to use them. A draft Statutory Instrument setting out arrangements for Summer 2022 was published on 24 January 2022”.

Q.14. Question (106811) asked by Clive Lewis (Norwich South) on 18 January 2022: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding the Government provided to the aviation industry via the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme”.
A. Helen Whately on 26 January 2022: “HM Revenue and Customs regularly published statistics on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).

The statistics published in August 2020 can be found on gov.uk:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-august-2020(opens in a new tab).

These statistics report that employers classified under Passenger air transport and Freight air transport and space transport (Standard Industry Classification 2007, groups 51.1 and 51.2) claimed £283 million for staff on furlough between the start of the scheme and 31 July 2020.

Statistics published on 3 June 2021 report that employers in the Passenger air transport and Freight air transport and space transport sectors claimed £295 million from 1 November 2020 to 30 April 2021. These figures can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-3-june-2021(opens in a new tab).

Further statistics published on 16 December 2021 report that employers in the Passenger air transport and Freight air transport and space transport sectors claimed £172 million from 1 May 2021 to 30 September 2021. These figures can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-16-december-2021(opens in a new tab).

There are no figures available for the value of CJRS claims for the Passenger air transport and Freight air transport and space sectors from 1 August 2020 to 31 October 2020”.

Q.15. Question (105675) asked by Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) on 17 January 2022: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the level of carbon emissions produced by the UK’s aviation industry; and what steps he is taking with that industry to reduce carbon emissions from air travel in the UK”.
A. Robert Courts on 21 January 2022: “The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy publishes UK greenhouse gas emissions figures annually, including domestic and international aviation emissions. The final UK greenhouse gas emissions national statistics from 1990 to 2019 were published in February 2021 and are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/final-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissions-national-statistics-1990-to-2019(opens in a new tab). It showed that in 2019, carbon dioxide emissions from UK domestic aviation were 1.4 Mt CO2e and carbon dioxide emissions from international aviation were 36.7 Mt CO2e.

The 2020 greenhouse gas emissions figures are due to be published on 1 February 2022.

In July 2021, the Department for Transport published the Jet Zero Consultation which sets out our vision for the aviation sector to reach net zero by 2050. We engaged with stakeholders extensively during the development of the consultation and are carefully considering consultation responses in the development of our final Jet Zero Strategy which we aim to publish later this year.

We are working closely with industry to reduce aviation emissions. We have established the Jet Zero Council, bringing together government, industry and academia to drive the delivery of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions. We have been supporting the industry through £1.95bn of funding into aerospace R&D through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) programme and recently confirmed the continuation of funding for the ATI programme to 2031. We have also recently announced £180 million of new funding to support the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plants in the UK, building on the progress made through the previous Green Fuels Green Skies competition, and a £400 million partnership with Breakthrough Energy, through which SAF projects can bid for additional capital”.

National and Regional News

3rd January – An article on Stansted Airport and its new state-of-the-art BHS, the largest upgrade to its baggage network since the terminal opened in 1991 can be see here. 
4th January – Aviation will be ‘smaller but greener’ after pandemic, says industry veteran Tim Jeans, Director of Cornwall Airport Newquay.
5th January – See here for an article in Simple Flying titled: ‘London Stansted: Ryanair’s largest base’.

6th January – UK welcomes removal of temporary additional COVID-19 travel restrictions.

6th January – Gatwick hasn’t raised its airline charges during the pandemic.

6 January – Written statement to parliament regarding CAA’s publication of the annual progress report on the UK’s airspace modernisation strategy. (CAP2281)

7th January – Northern visitor economy calls for government support to boost inbound travel and investment opportunities that depend on direct flight connectivity – see here.

9th January – Work starts at Gloucestershire airport to resurface crosswind and main runways. One of three runways will remain open – normal operations restored by summer.

10th January – A group opposing plans for an electric car battery plant which would see the closure of Coventry Airport is urging planners to consider alternative sites – see here.

11th January – Heathrow wants end to Covid testing for vaccinated as 600,000 cancel flights in December. They warn aviation will take years to recover from the pandemic.
11th January – Turkey’s SunExpress has confirmed a range of flights to the country from Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh this summer – see here.
12th January – MAG launches UK recruitment drive. It has confirmed more than 1,000 jobs are available at its airports in the UK. 
13th January – BA adds new London City routes to Europe for the summer.
15th January – Motorists will be asked to leave if found using Heathrow Airport’s taxi-only electric charge points. Taxi drivers frustrated at motorists blocking dedicated charging bays.
17th January – London City Airport announces it is expecting “a strong recovery” in 2022.

18th January – MAG figures are published today for December. The group is confident of a strong recovery from the pandemic particularly with travel restrictions being relaxed.
19th January – Bournemouth Airport looking to recruit 75 new staff as restrictions ease and travel ‘re-opens’.

20th January – ‘World’s first’ purpose-built airport for flying cars and eVTOL aircraft to open in UK. It will open in Coventry in April.

20th January – Councillor Anna Key says Liverpool Council funding airport is at odds with climate aims. She has also called for opposition to LJLA’s “potential future expansion”.

20th January – Government orders public inquiry into Leeds Bradford Airport’s £150m new terminal. This is seen as a major plus for campaigners against its expansion. 
21st January – Further funding announced to redesign the UK’s airspace to create quicker journeys and cut emissions –  see here for further details.
24th January – Government supports aviation sector recovery with airport slot alleviation for summer 2022 – see here.

24th January – Government to take planning decision on Leeds Bradford Airport expansion.
25th January – Irish airports among Europe’s worst hit last year – see here.

26th January – Spanish lo-cost carrier Vueling to expand at Gatwick. It is to launch five new connections and base two aircraft there. 
27th January – CAA publishes its decision to accept ACOG’s Airspace Change Masterplan Iteration 2 (CAP2312b) in the Airspace Modernisation Strategy.
27th January – See here for a press release from New Economics Foundation stating that the public is set to foot the £62 billion bill for climate damage from airport expansion. 

28th January – An interesting article in Simple Flying titled: ‘When did each of London Heathrow’s terminals open?’ can be seen here.

28th January – Newcastle Airport on a major recruitment push. The Airport hosted an aviation-based career fair at St. James’ Park earlier this month.

29th January – An article in Simple Flying titled: ‘Throwback: When Drone Sightings Caused Chaos At London Gatwick’ can be read here.

31st January – Manchester Airport seeks 500 new airport staff. Hundreds of additional jobs are also available with more than a dozen other businesses operating at the airport.
31st January – Government proposes to strengthen rights of airline passengers. These include considering creation of fairer compensation model for when domestic flights are delayed. 

Other Aviation Industry News

1st January – Campaigners warning: carbon offsetting fees offered by airlines do not equal guilt-free flying.

1st January – An article titled: ‘Cork Airport and Covid-19: Charting a course through uncertain times’ can be seen here.

2nd January – This year will see the Airbus A380 return to widespread service at BA, following a pandemic-induced hiatus.

3rd January – An interesting article titled: ‘How do you test an airport before it opens to planes?’ can be read here.
4th January – An article about the EU’s new travel and authorisation scheme is here.

4th January – Hydrogen-electric jets and restructuring: take a look at some of the aviation industry’s 2022 plans.
5th January – Travel industry demands scrapping of international Covid testing requirements. Travel restrictions are expected to be reviewed today.
5 January – Pre-departure testing removed for vaccinated travellers. See here for Government press release.
5th January – Build of train station at Inverness Airport progresses. Works on the £14 million project got underway in October last year.

6th January – An article in Airport Technology titled: ‘Talking heads: Trends for airports 2022’ can be read here.

6th January – Knock Airport handled just 175,000 passengers in 2021. Chairman predicts challenging year ahead but welcomes resumption of Aer Lingus and Ryanair flights.

7th January – An article in Simple Flying titled: ‘Ghost Flights: How Airlines Keep Their Slots At Congested Airports’ can be read here.

7th January – Prestwick Spaceport plans take a step forward. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is the lead partner in Prestwick Spaceport.
9th January – European airlines flying near empty aircraft to save airport slots.

10th January – CAA launches consultation on draft Airspace Modernisation Strategy (2022-2040).

10th January – C19: MPs told Scottish airport numbers slump to 1970s-level. AGS Airports said that level hasn’t been seen since 1973 and is a huge fall on 9m total recorded in 2019.

10th January – New Aviation Development Manager appointed at Cardiff Airport. Mark Watkins has over 25 years’ experience in UK aviation including route development roles.
11th January – Prestwick Airport bid ‘did not secure value’ says Finance Minister.
12th January – The CAA is to establish an environmental sustainability panel. It’s begun an open application process for potential members. 
12th January – An article in Airport World titled: ‘Automation, sustainability and digital health focus areas of airport IT investment’ can be read here.

13th January – Wizz Air CEO urges EU to keep ‘use it or lose it’ airport slot rule. He thinks rules should not be changed to protect legacy airlines.

13th January – EU says there is no issue with EU airport slot rule and there is no sign of ghost flights. They say it is an ‘unnecessary fuss’.

14th January – Glasgow Airport commits to sustainable airfield lighting project. It is 25 per cent more energy efficient and eco-friendly. 

16th January – Airline biometric boarding deployment will rise by over 60% by 2024 – see here.

17th January – An article in Airport Technology titled: ‘The largest airlines in Europe in 2020’ can be read here. They have been measured by number of seats sold and easyjet is top.

17th January – Prestwick Airport expansion to deliver a horizontal launch spaceport. South Ayrshire council has prepared a Proposal of Application Notice (POAN).

18th January – Better than expected passenger numbers at Kerry Airport in 2021 is feeding optimism for the year ahead. However, concern remains over the key daily flight to Dublin.

18th January – An Airport Technology article titled: ‘EAG’s new subsidiary to build fuel cell system for hydrogen aircraft’ can be read here. EAG is a UK-based company.

18th January – CAA issues notice about the potential interference risk to radio altimeters from 5G mobile technology.

20th January – Ryanair announces its largest-ever Dublin schedule. 120 destinations and over 900 weekly flights available for its Irish customers this summer.

21st January – Coventry firm created Sim-like ‘digital twin’ of Michigan airport to predict troublesome scenarios. If successful, could be used in UK.

21st January – Ryanair Dublin expansion seen as great ‘morale boost’ for Irish agents.
24th January – An article in Airport World titled: ‘Advances in wayfinding present new opportunities for airports’ can be read here.

24th January – An article in Airport World titled: ‘Restoring air connectivity’ about the challenges facing European airports post-pandemic can be seen here. 

24th January – Secretary of State for Transport makes statement on international travel.

25th January – ACI Europe says European traffic down by 1.4 billion compared with 2019. Passenger numbers last year were 59% lower than pre-pandemic levels.

25th January – Aviation Analytics Market Report 2021-2031 published – see more details here.

26th January – An article in the Moodie Davitt Report titled: ‘Elevating the Airport Experience’ can be seen here.

27th January – An Airport World article titled: ‘The digital airport’ about how digital technology is transforming the passenger experience can be seen here.

28th January – Eurocontrol and ACI Europe sign joint MOU to commit to aviation’s successful future. The MOU replaces a previous agreement dating from 2008.
29th January – An article in Simple Flying titled: ‘What happened to GB Airways?’ is here. GB Airways eventually turned into part of easyjet today.  

31st January – Environment hiring levels in airport industry rose in December 2021 – see here.

SASIG Library Additions

A Public Safety Zone guidance note to Aerodrome Operators issued by the CAA may be seen here and on our website.The SASIG response submitted this month to the consultation aimed at informing the Scottish Aviation Strategy can be seen here.