AirportsUK doubles down on criticism over Budget costs and planning delays 

More should be done by government to reduce the costs and burden on airports, the sector’s annual conference will hear today (Tuesday).

 

Otherwise, actions will not match ministers’ rhetoric about the role they see airports, and wider aviation, playing in driving UK economic growth, according to leaders of trade body AirportsUK.

 

The organisation’s chair Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith will use her opening speech of its annual conference in London to reiterate criticism of plans outlined in last month’s Budget to double business rates on larger premises. 

 

The conference, under the theme Delivering UK Connectivity and Growth, will bring together more than 200 senior UK airport and airline representatives, as well as government and opposition ministers, officials, planning and regulatory experts, and economic commentators.

 

McGregor-Smith is due to say: “Airports’ business rates are set to more than double, at a time when global competition for connectivity, investment and trade has never been so fierce.

 

“The UK is at serious risk of falling behind as our peers in Europe, the US and the Middle East expand capacity more easily, enjoy a more benign fiscal environment, and fight hard to attract airlines.

 

“Now is the time for government to be taking the decisions that will embed a competitive landscape that will enable growth, increase prosperity, create good jobs and connect UK businesses with global markets.”

 

The industry intends to continue pushing government ministers to deliver on the positive words they have directed towards airports over the past year.

 

AirportsUK chief executive Karen Dee will reinforce this theme in her comments to delegates, while highlighting how the cost of delays in decision-making and an uncertain planning environment will continue to hamper UK aviation’s ability to deliver growth.

 

She is expected to say: “Our members are ready to deliver the projects and connectivity that will drive growth, but too often delays in getting decisions, be they through the planning process or from ministerial offices, slow the whole thing down.

 

“The current proposals to reform planning are a start but we can and must go further, be more ambitious, and show the world that we can deliver large, nationally significant infrastructure on time, on budget, and without lots of unnecessary red tape.

 

“The year ahead presents a chance for us to get back on track, to speed up our processes, and strengthen the UK’s position as a global trading nation.”

 

The message is to be echoed by other speakers throughout the day, including leading airport chief executives.