Aviation airs its views

Brexit negotiations and the Airports National Policy Statement were among predictable talking points at the industry’s annual summer reception at the House of Commons last week with incoming aviation minister Lord Callanan in attendance.

The event was hosted by MP Nigel Huddleston and organised by ABTA, the Airport Operators Association (AOA), Airlines UK, the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK, IATA and Sustainable Aviation.

On Brexit, AOA chief executive Karen Dee said Britain had only just started the process to leave the EU and this clearly brought risks but also possible rewards for the UK.

“In these circumstances, the role of the aviation sector in ensuring our economy remains strong is crucial, and the need for the UK to have excellent aviation connections to the rest of the world has never been greater,” she added.

Airlines UK chairman Jane Middleton had similar sentiments but also took issue with the draft Airports National Policy Statement earlier this year which Airlines UK was concerned to see did not fully address the issue of cost and affordability.

“Our members do not support expansion at any price and any new infrastructure must be cost effective,” she went on.

“Airline support for expansion at Heathrow is conditional upon charges being kept at current levels with the ambition for lower charges over time.”

www.aoa.org.uk

www.airlinesuk.org

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