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Aviation group expects to generate 1000s of jobs

Thousands of jobs in the North East could be exported without world class international connections, according to pro-aviation coalition, FlyingMatters.

To emphasise what is at risk, FlyingMatters staged a photo call with hundreds of people queuing to get on an aircraft ‘job centre.’ The image will form the basis of a campaign to promote the thousands of new jobs the aviation industry hopes to help create by 2030. The campaign will form part of an industry-wide effort to encourage politicians to support continued airport modernisation and development around the UK.

The FlyingMatters group expects international visitors to the North East to double to over a million a year by 2030 and could create thousands of new jobs in the tourism sector alone.

Developments of Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley Airports planned over the next 20 years are expected to add millions of pounds in additional revenue to the economy in the North East every year by 2030.

Neil Pakey, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Peel Airports, owners of Durham Tees Valley Airport, said: “It is essential that airports such as Durham Tees Valley can continue to grow and expand in the coming years bringing future benefits to the local and regional economy.

“As gateways for visitors to the regions, Durham Tees Valley and other Airports will need to continue to develop, if we are to capitalise on future tourism opportunities, otherwise we will lose out to our competitors in Europe.”

Rt Hon Brian Wilson, Chairman of FlyingMatters, said: “When we begin to emerge from the current recession only countries which have world class international airports and connections will be able to take full advantage of the predicted growth in international visitors and trade. Without them, it won’t be goods or services we’re exporting: it will be jobs.

“Aviation is working – let’s keep it that way.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .