The lack of a clear aviation policy is damaging to the UK and its economic recovery, the body representing leading airlines is warning.
The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK), which represents 86 airlines, says the Government’s aviation review is the “last chance” to devise and implement the visionary policy the UK needs to remain competitive on the international stage.
It says lack of clarity is a barrier to firm business decisions about future air services to the UK, and leaves the rest of the world uncertain as to whether key UK trading infrastructure is going to remain full in the years ahead.
BAR UK chief executive Mike Carrivick, speaking as the deadline for the Department for Transport’s consultation closes, said: “The ditching of the previous administration’s aviation policy has effectively banned any new runways at the three largest London airports and set back the economic role of aviation by over 10 years.
“The UK can only maintain one hub airport and for the foreseeable future that has to remain as Heathrow. It’s our aim to show that whilst the UK dithers, other countries are grasping the economic opportunities offered by the lack of key hub airport capacity where it matters – London.”
“That’s the core issue that needs urgent action. Anything else would simply be tackling the fringes and ignoring the key problem yet again. If Heathrow expansion is off the menu, then what, where and when is the viable alternative, and who pays?”
BAR UK’s response highlights the significant value of aviation to the UK economy, including the continuing importance of London, the crucial role of hub airports and their growing success abroad, as well as the economic value of transfer passengers and the commercial and operational importance of early morning and late evening flights.
Mark Tanzer Abta Chief Executive said: “In its UK Aviation Scoping Document, the Government has committed to establishing a policy framework to support growth in the UK aviation industry.
“This is vitally important for travel and tourism and indeed for the UK economy as a whole and while the commitment to create a sustainable framework to guide the aviation industry should be welcomed, we are concerned that we will have to wait until 2013 for this framework to be in place.
“As an island, the UK needs the international and regional connectivity that effective aviation infrastructure provides. The Government’s imposition of punitive levels of air tax in the form of Air Passenger Duty, and lack of support for the growth of airport infrastructure or runway capacity is having a negative impact on the industry and is a real missed growth opportunity for the UK economy.
“This scoping document shows that the Government is open to hearing the industry’s concerns but it must take these on board if we are not to risk fundamental and lasting damage to the travel industry and the UK economy as a whole”