Member Article

Airport chiefs call for firm Government plan

The Airport Operators Association has launched its own integrated policy for UK aviation, as it becomes frustrated with the Government for not doing so.

Over 80% of respondents in the poll believed that Airport Passenger Duty should be reduced or frozen, and 73% of the UK business leaders questioned believe it is more important than ever that the Government support the aviation industry to help stimulate economic growth.

Peter Nears, Strategic Planning Director with the Peel Group, said: “We fully support the proposals within the Airport Operators Association document. The poll findings are not surprising—indeed it is clear from our discussions with airlines that they will inevitably favour those countries where duty rates are lower.

“The call from the AOA for consistency in Government policy is particularly important for airports such as Durham Tees Valley and has been illustrated by our recent experiences where messages from Government Ministers have indicated their understanding of the need to support regional airports and yet this has not been reflected in the decision to withhold Regional Growth Fund support for our southside project when we have made clear its importance.

“The Association underlines the fact that connectivity is vital for the UK economy and this is critical for areas such as the Tees Valley where so many companies compete in international markets and many local people depend on air connections to reach their workplaces.”

In a forward to a formal response to the Department for Transport’s consultation on a Draft Framework, Bristol Airport’s chief executive officer, Robert Sinclair, said: “As politicians, Government officials, aviation professionals and other stakeholders debate issues around capacity and new schemes costing billions of pounds, it is critical to remember that significant airport capacity already exists in the UK regions.

“Government policy should encourage the use of this capacity and should encourage private sector investment in long-term infrastructure. Not only will this relieve congestion at airports in the South East, but it will help rebalance the economy at the same time.

“Like many airports outside London, Bristol Airport is very well placed to create jobs and drive economic growth in its region. What we need is a very clear and very tangible aviation policy which supports growth and investment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .