Abta has welcomed indications from Labour that a rapid solution to airport expansion should be found after next year’s general election.
Shadow chancellor Ed Balls committed Labour to taking urgent action on airport capacity after Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission reports, balancing the need for expansion with environmental concerns.
In his headline speech at yesterday’s Labour party conference, Balls said: “Whatever the outcome of the Howard Davies review into airport capacity, we must resolve to finally make a decision on airport capacity in London and the south east — expanding capacity while taking into account the environmental impact.
“No more kicking into the long-grass, but taking the right decisions for Britain’s long-term future.”
Abta said this echoes the views from shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh and is in line with industry calls for urgent action on airport capacity in the next parliament.
Abta head of public affairs Stephen D’Alfonso said: “It is very positive to hear the Shadow Chancellor recognise that urgent action on airport capacity must be taken once Sir Howard Davies has delivered his recommendation.
“This follows on from comments made by the shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh at a Labour conference fringe event organised by Abta and industry partners where she too affirmed Labour’s commitment to sustainable growth in aviation.
“As Abta called for in our manifesto, the need for capacity in the south east is urgent and will be vital to the competitiveness of our economy and our industry’s ability to keep delivering jobs and growth.
“As we have said consistently, political consensus will be fundamental and so we will be watching closely to see what further support we can expect from Conservatives and Liberal Democrats as they host their conferences in the coming weeks.”
British Air Transport Association chief executive Nathan Stower said: “I am delighted that Labour recognises the need for more airport capacity in the south-east and is committed to making a swift decision on expansion should they form the next government.
“Mary Creagh and Ed Balls are right that these decisions must be taken in the long-term national interest.
“We also need a cross-party consensus on this issue so we look forward to hearing what the other main parties say at their own conferences and in the months ahead.”