Aviation Policy Statement

As predicted by Business Travel News the Department for Transport (DfT) published last Friday (22 March) its Aviation Policy Framework in conjunction with Hartley McMaster “a management consultancy specialising in the use of analytical and structured methods to solve business problems”.  It was a very low key announcement issued as a Commons written statement (and not even distributed by the DfT press office to this publication). 

In its 90 pages the document updates the 2003 Air Transport White Paper.  However, it did not aim to address capacity issues in the South East; this work is being carried out by Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission. 

With its publication the Government acknowledged that the UK’s aviation sector contributes around £18bn to the British economy and has the third largest network in the world after the USA and China.

The report says London is currently extremely well connected with at least weekly connections to over 360 destinations.  In comparison, Paris serves around 300 destinations and Frankfurt 250.

Regional airports are discussed but the idea of ring fencing routes into London seems to have defeated the authorities who offer no comment.

There are 15 airports outside the US which are provided with American customs clearance.  The Government is looking into UK gateways being included. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aviation-policy-framework

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