Welcome to Aviation Policy Group                                 

Chairman: Paul LeBlond

SUMMER 2018

LATEST AVIATION NEWS 

On the 25th June, 2018, The House of Commons approved the Airports National Policy Statement and there is now a period when legal challenges can be filed.

The next step for Heathrow Airport is to publish a second consultation, which the APG is likely to respond to. Subject to this consultation and the outcome of any legal challenges, it will then be for the Airport to submit a draft Development Consent Order which, if approved, would then give permission for the third runway to be built.

We also expect a Government green paper in the autumn to follow up their call for evidence on a UK wide aviation strategy, to which the APG responded last year.

AVIATION POLICY GROUP

On the 30th July, Doncaster Sheffield Airport kindly hosted a visit by 10 CILT members, from both the APG Committee and the Doncaster Region.

Some of the key aspects outlined by the Doncaster Airport Senior team included:-  

• DSA's long runway (2973 m) and 1600 acres of land.
• The completion of the Great Yorkshire Way had made a significant difference in access. It was funded by a combination of agencies, including a contribution from DSA, on the basis of multiple benefits to sites in the area, including the iport.

In 2017 there were 1.3 million passengers, mostly leisure on Wizz, Tui and Flybe, and 11,000 tonnes of freight.
• The airport is a 24 hour operation.
• The Master Plan envisages between 4.7 and 7.2 mppa by 2037, and between 70,000 and 176,500 tonnes of freight.
• A vision for the longer term, which is future proofed in the Master Plan, is that the runway is capable of 25 mppa and 250,000 tonnes of freight.
• The Master Plan zones land for operations, passenger and freight facilities, car parking, plus advanced manufacturing, a commercial centre, residential development, as well as safeguarding for a rail link and station.

We also discussed:-.

• The relationship between the Master Plan forecasts and the DfT's aviation forecasts. DSA believe that there is significant leakage of local demand to Manchester and that improved access and a greater range of air routes will attract more passengers.
• Step changes in passenger numbers would come from airlines setting up bases. Flybe had already announced a significant growth for 2019 and TUI would be starting a long haul service to Florida. Discussions were advanced with a Low Cost Carrier.
• The potential for freight depends on attracting one or more of the big all cargo operators.
• Safeguarding for the rail link is part of the longer term vision, but the diversion of East Coast Main Line service was felt to be a challenge. It is more likely that local or regional services could be extended or diverted.

• DSA also kindly gave us a comprehensive tour of the airport (including viewing their ex. RAF Vulcan bomber!). 

AVIATION POLICY GROUP NEWS

Following our meeting with DSA, we progressed with the scheduled Aviation Policy Group meeting where the following aspects were discussed: 

- Helen Hardy had asked for ideas for increasing membership and John Hardey had reported that he had attended a CILT leadership session which had discussed some of the related issues such as member benefits and grading structure.

- The PPC had continued to discuss a number of issues and, in particular, was taking an active role in advising the Government on Brexit, focused on the need for seamless borders and customs controls. The advice on aviation matters (in addition to border and customs issues) had been to retain the key features such as membership of EASA and open skies agreements and the Government had indicated that this would be the aim.

Airports NPS and Heathrow third runway next steps

- In addition to the NPS and further consultations by the Airport noted in Latest News above, the Government had also issued invitations for market-led proposals for rail infrastructure, and indications are that four of these would be for Heathrow links (Western Link, Heathrow Southern Railway, Windsor link and HS4).

DfT Aviation Strategy Green Paper

- This is likely to be published in the Autumn and will be UK wide, so will be a key opportunity for the CILT to contribute to the ongoing development of policy, including for example about DfT's forecasts. The APG would lead the drafting but regional contributions would be sought through the PPC. The Green Paper would provide an opportunity to compare the UK wide policy with the aviation policies of TfN (and other regional bodies).

Airport Master Plans

- As well as DSA, master plans had been published by Newcastle, Bristol, Luton and Cardiff Airports. Some of these included short term plans for increases as well as long term visions. The APG would not normally respond to individual airport master plans, but it is worth considering them in terms of UK wide policies.

It was also noted that the Government had published the Inclusive Transport Strategy on 25 July. The CILT's Accessibility and Inclusion Forum had led CILT's submissions to the draft. The Strategy noted that, for aviation, the forthcoming Green Paper would include policies on this subject. A recent CAA report had been reported in the media highlighting some of the issues.


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