Parliament Transport Select Committee – final rounds

Last Wednesday (20 May) the House of Commons Transport Select Committee held its third and fourth sessions concerning UK transport and Covid-19.

Under the scrutiny this time in part one was Diana Holland, Assistant General Secretary for Transport at Unite the Union; Brian Strutton, General Secretary at British Air Line Pilots’ Association and a new face to many Jason Holt, Chief Executive at Swissport UK, the ground handling organisation and operators of the Aspire Lounges.

The trade union representatives held their usual line conceding there had to be staffing adjustments, but that management was being unkind in the way it used its resources coupled to a dig at government and its planning:  Brian Strutton said:  “There was no clear indication that a strategic, industry-wide plan is being adopted to see aviation through these difficult times.”

Swissport employs 64,000 around the world in the industry including 8,000 in the UK and took the same line. “We would welcome a coherent aviation strategy that recognises the crucial role that the aviation industry plays in the economy and the overall prosperity of the nation”.

Part 2 involved three government appointees. Kelly Tolhurst, Aviation Minister, Rannia Leontaridi, Director of Aviation at Department for Transport and Richard Moriarty, Chief Executive at Civil Aviation Authority.  All anyone wanted to know was the position regarding the then proposed embargo.  If they knew the answer they were not going to say and were clearly waiting on the words of their senior political masters.

View session here 

See also Willie Walsh viewing figures – And more

Travel Industry at the Commons

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