Launch of plans to develop a new UK Aviation Strategy
to help shape the future of the aviation industry to 2050
and beyond.
Shaping aviation to help boost economic growth, connectivity and
skills will be at the centre of a new strategy to prepare the
industry for the next 3 decades and beyond, the government announced
today (21 July 2017).
The public are being asked to have their say on
how this vital sector should respond to a range of technological,
security, environmental and customer service challenges.
It also looks at how the government can support future growth in
an industry which directly supports 240,000 jobs and contributes
at least £22 billion to the UK economy each year.
Transport Secretary will today launch a public
discussion to help shape and promote the future of the aviation
industry both up to 2050 and beyond.
Airport bag check-ins in town centres and a ‘luggage portering’
service are among a series of innovative ideas the public is
being asked for views on.
Other issues include possible new forms of compensation for noise
or designing targets for noise reduction.
The government is also keen for views on how it should support
and regulate emerging technologies around personal travel.
The document also discusses how we can make best use of existing
capacity at all airports around the country.
The Secretary of State announced the strategy at the launch of a
£1 billion programme to double the size of Manchester Airport’s
Terminal 2.
The project will create 1,500 jobs, allow for more international
destinations, and grow passenger numbers from 27 million to 45
million a year.
Transport Secretary said:
Aviation is central to our future prosperity as we leave the
European Union. As a global, trading nation we want to build on
the great industry we have today and create opportunities for
people up and down the country
Our new aviation strategy will look beyond the new runway at
Heathrow and sets out a comprehensive long-term plan
for UK aviation.
It will support jobs and economic growth across the whole of
the UK.
Our vision puts the passenger at the heart of what we do, but
also recognises the need to address the impacts of aviation on
communities and the environment.
Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of Manchester Airports Group,
said:
Today, work will begin at Manchester Airport on a £1 billion
investment programme that will provide passengers and airlines
with world-class airport facilities, and deliver a major boost
to the UK’s growth
prospects and international competitiveness.
We welcome the Secretary of State’s recognition of the
important role that airports across the UK will play in driving economic
growth, and commitment to looking at how airports like
Manchester and London Stansted can make best use of their
existing capacity.
The government is today setting out 6 important themes that it
will consult on over the coming months:
1) Customer service. Which will look at:
- how to ensure the industry is accessible for all and caters
for an ageing population and passengers with restricted
mobility
- the consumer protection arrangements that should be in
place when things go wrong
- how to deal with disruptive passengers
It also highlights new ways of working in other countries such
as check-in facilities in town centres or luggage portering
services, where bags are picked up from passengers before they
reach the airport.
2) Safety and security. Which will look at the technology that
could be introduced at UK airports to counter the threat
from terrorism; what more could be done to raise security
standards; and whether current safety standards are acceptable.
3) Global connectivity. Which will look at how
the UK can
improve our global connectivity for passengers and freight as
we leave the EU; and how we can remove barriers to trade.
4) Competitive markets. Which will look at whether existing
regulation produces the best outcome for consumers; how to
encourage connectivity across UK nations and regions and how to
stimulate competition to ensure the consumers have a wide
choice of airports, airlines and destinations.
5) Supporting growth while tackling environmental impacts.
Which will look at how to achieve the right balance between
more flights and ensuring action is taken to tackle carbon
emissions, noise and air quality.
6) Innovation, technology and skills. Which will look at which
emerging technologies could significantly change the aviation
market or bring benefits to passengers; and how the industry
should address skills shortages and improve its diversity.
Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of
Commerce, said:
It is crucial that the government’s future aviation strategy
supports the continued growth and development of our
airports, and frees them to make the best use of their
capacity to link British businesses to markets all across the
world.
Stronger airports help our cities and counties attract more
investment and visitors, and connect our firms to trading
opportunities overseas – so we must enable them to grow and
change to meet the demands of the future.
Consultations on each of these areas will run throughout 2017
and 2018 and will be followed by the publication of the final
aviation strategy by the end of 2018.
