Welcome to Aviation Policy Group                    

Chair: Paul LeBlond

Current Aviation news includes:

• Coronavirus dramatically affects air travel
• Airlines plans for post-coronavirus noted
• Airport expansion plans on hand

Aviation Policy Group news: 

The latest meeting of the Aviation Policy Group took place by Zoom on 27 April 2020. The first item on the agenda was obviously the effect on aviation of the coronavirus pandemic. The reduction in flights is dramatic, and there were mixed views about how long it will take to recover.

We noted four points about Heathrow. The Appeal Court judgement of 27 February was quickly overtaken by the reduction of passengers and there will clearly be a complete reconsideration of the third runway plans. We understand that the Initial Business Plan has been withdrawn and the CAA have asked the Airport to constructively engage with airlines on revised plans. There is no indication yet that Network Rail are not continuing with the Western Rail Link project.

We noted that correspondence between CILT and Transport Minister Kelly Tolhurst MP indicated a positive response, and we look forward to meeting once the current situation eases.

We discussed the APG's contribution to the CILT's Routes to Net Zero 2050 study, noting the DfT's Decarbonisation Plan published on 26 March 2020. We are all agreed that electric power is the way forward for short haul aviation and should be a priority for research and development. Concerns have been expressed about the well to wheel emissions from bio and synthetic fuels, and also about the credibility of offsetting schemes and we agree that these concerns should be noted.

Several aviation articles have appeared in Focus recently, with a range of views. During the current lockdown, a number of meetings and seminars have taken place online, and CILT is considering a possible meeting for the wider membership on an aviation theme.

How our Aviation Policy Group works: 

The Aviation Policy Group comprises a group of professionals from the airline and airport sectors that reviews current and proposed policies for aviation and provides, where appropriate, expert advice to government.

Over many years, CILT has advised Government, and the logistics and transport industry, by using the expertise of its members who speak from widespread knowledge but are independent of any particular trade group or business. 
 
In particular, CILT has contributed fully to the work of the Airports Commission, as well as to Parliamentary Inquiries and Government consultations. CILT supported the Airports Commission’s recommendations, both in their Interim Report of December 2013 relating to a range of improvements at a number of airports, in particular to surface access, and also in their Final Report of July 2015 in terms of the recommended option.
 
The Group, also taking account of views across the Institute, prepared its contribution to the CILT Vision 2035, which was published in August 2014 as The Future of Aviation and can be found here.
 
The Committee meets quarterly, and is regularly active throughout the year in responding to consultations and other events.
 
Any CILT members wishing to become involved in the Aviation Policy Group are very welcome to contact Paul Le Blond to chat further at policy@ciltuk.org.uk. 

Aviation Policy Group committee members

Reports and Presentations

Links to articles in Focus on aviation matters can be found on the left side of this page

The APG's submissions and responses can be found by clicking the 'Policy and Guidance' tab at the top of this page. 

Date for future APG meetings in 2020 are on:

27th July and 26th Oct