Aviation policy review

Philip Hammond, UK Secretary of State for Transport, in his first significant speech to the airline industry since his appointment five months ago, has announced an aviation policy review.  He said he hoped to publish a draft policy document for formal consultation early in 2012.  Full publication is not likely until the end of that year.

Mr Hammond was speaking at the Airport Operators Association (AOA) conference.  One wit noted that his remarks were straight out of Yes Minister. 

The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) was quick to say it had serious concerns that the planned time scales involved would do nothing to address the urgency of the situation. 

At the same time Business Secretary Vince Cable, perhaps more alive to the consequences of the current air travel circumstances, and addressing the CBI, was a little more positive saying that Heathrow “for the time being” was constrained regarding expansion.  And to confuse the issue even more Mr Hammond emphasised that the raised APD was a carbon tax, whilst the Prime Minister has said the opposite. (See AERBT 20 August) www.bar-uk.org     

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