Jobs and passengers at the heart of Government’s ten-point plan for aviation

• Government launches ten-point strategy to deliver an innovative and sustainable aviation sector as it recovers from the pandemic
• New Aviation Passenger Charter will ensure consumers know their rights when flying
• Aviation Council established to bring the aviation sector together to learn the lessons of the pandemic and grow back sustainably 

Consumers, jobs, and innovation at the heart of Government’s new strategy for building the aviation sector of tomorrow.

Launched by Aviation Minister Robert Courts during a visit to Heathrow Airport, Flightpath to the Future aims to rebuild consumer confidence, build back sustainably from the pandemic, support jobs across the country and build a skilled and diverse workforce that’s fit for the future. 

The delivery of the new ten-point plan will be supported by an all-new Aviation Council made up of airlines, airports and wider representatives from the aviation sector, as well as ministers and officials from both the UK Government and Devolved Administrations.

The Council will work to use the lessons learned from the pandemic to support recovery and make air travel better for passengers and better for the planet. 

As outlined in the strategy, the Government will launch a new Aviation Passenger Charter later this year, a one-stop guide for consumers informing them of their rights and what they can reasonably expect of the aviation industry when flying.

The Charter will be developed in partnership with industry and consumer groups to help rebuild consumer confidence in air travel following the pandemic. 

Aviation Minister Robert Courts said:  

“The pandemic posed an existential threat to the aviation sector. Now recovery has started, we have a chance to build back better than ever before. 

“Through this new strategy, I’m setting out ten priorities to ensure we build an industry that’s not only fit for the future, but one that’s world-leading. 

“By working closely with the sector to focus on sustainable growth, powered by the latest innovations, we can ensure aviation creates jobs and opportunities across all four nations of the UK.” 

The past few months have been challenging for the sector as it returns to business as usual with a massive recruitment drive now underway to meet demand. As set out in Flightpath to the Future, the Government will work closely with industry and consumer groups to help the sector to provide the best service possible for consumers.

With the sector on the cusp of a green flying revolution, the Government will work with it to develop the right skills and workforce to accommodate new technologies from drones, flying taxis and electric planes.

The plans form a key part of the Government’s levelling up agenda, focusing on attracting and retaining the skills the sector needs as it recovers, unleashing the potential of the next generation, and supporting a diverse workforce across the four nations of the UK that is fit for the future. 

The plans set out today will also deliver benefits for communities across the whole country through new jobs and better connectivity by becoming one of the first countries in the world to routinely use new aircraft to provide new and improved low carbon transport for goods, people and trade. We can also benefit from new regulatory freedoms outside the EU, for example, to support further growth of General Aviation.

The Government will also later this year publish its Jet Zero Strategy and set out its vision for how the aviation sector can reach net zero by 2050.

UK ingenuity is already developing zero emission aircraft and sustainable aviation fuels, and combined with improvements to airport and airspace efficiency, we will deliver net zero flying for everyone. 

Today’s publication follows the Transport Secretary’s historic challenge to the industry to deliver the first ever net zero transatlantic flight by the end of 2023, powered purely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – made from waste products, including household cooking oil and black bin rubbish.

Announced earlier this month, the pioneering test flight will be supported by up to £1 million of competition funding and will increase understanding of commercial flights powered by these fuels.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The ten-point plan will:   

1. Recover and sustainably grow the aviation sector for both passengers and cargo
2. Position the UK as a global aviation leader  
3. Support growth in airport capacity where justified  
4. Put the sector on course to achieve Jet Zero 
5. Capture the potential of new technology and its uses  
6. Unlock local benefits and level up 
7. Unleash the potential of the next generation of aviation professionals 
8. Make the UK the best place in the world for General Aviation 
9. Improve the consumer experience 
10. Retain our world leading record on safety and security