Airport Operators Conference

Held at London’s Metropole Hilton last week, the annual conference of the UK Airport Operators Association can easily be divided into a good day and bad day. 

The opening morning session featured the new Minister for Transport, Justine Greening, who gave her version of “this lady is not for turning” with regard to the Heathrow third runway political decision.  She was followed in the afternoon by a very keen to speak and equally fresh Shadow transport spokesperson Maria Eagle stating that it was not the Labour Party’s policy to support the expansion of Heathrow.

“There’ll be no third runway at Heathrow and Stansted and Gatwick have been ruled out (for expansion),” said Ms Greening.  “I want to emphasise the decision we took does not mean we are anti-aviation.”

Day two dawned and a much brighter outlook.  Airports spoke of improving the passenger experience followed by Greg Lindsay, New York University scholar, expanding on his very well received book “Aerotropolis – The Way We’ll Live Next”.  Willie Walsh led a panel that included Collin Matthews (BAA), Stewart Wingate (Gatwick), Ms Chris Browne (Thomson Airways) and Robert Sinclair (Bristol Airport).  Walsh added the most telling quote of the entire gathering.  “Airlines pay 92p per mile tax.  Rail gets 12p subsidy.” www.aerotropolis.com www.aoa.org.uk

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum