Ready for take off – UK airlines launch manifesto for new Parliament

March 11th, 2015

The British Air Transport Association (BATA) has today published its manifesto ahead of the General Election in May.

‘Ready for take off: our priorities for the new Parliament’ sets out the vitally important economic and social contribution that UK airlines make to national life.

Five key policy areas are identified where action is required in the next Parliament to create a more level playing field from which UK airlines can compete, grow and deliver more in the years ahead.

  • Tax – abolition of Air Passenger Duty to transform the UK’s competitive position, lower the cost of flying and deliver significant benefits to the economy.
  • Airport capacity – the green light for new runway capacity without imposing pre-funding on today’s passengers, alongside further improvements to surface access to support airline growth at other airports.
  • Sustainability – including support for the commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuels and controlling development near airports to support the industry’s actions in limiting the number of people seriously affected by noise.
  • Border & Visas – keep Britain open for business and tourists whilst protecting the border, including providing Border Force with the resources it needs to maintain service levels and the need to make further progress on visa accessibility and competitiveness.
  • Protecting passengers – secure lasting reform to European law to deliver clearer consumer rights and support industry progress in improving the passenger experience for persons with reduced mobility.

Commenting on the launch of the BATA manifesto, Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of BATA, said:

“This is the first time that BATA has produced a manifesto setting out our priorities for the next Parliament. We will be using the document to campaign for policy changes and lobby politicians, officials, the regulator and other stakeholders in the months ahead on behalf of our members.

“The UK has a long and proud aviation history and our airlines are amongst the best in the world. However, our international competitors understand the benefits that aviation brings and their governments have taken strategic policy decisions to enable their industries to grow. The next five years are crucial for the UK industry and we will be working hard to influence public policy so that it enables our members to deliver even more for their passengers and the country in the future.”

The manifesto was previewed at an event in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon. The event, considering what a Labour government would mean for UK aviation, saw BATA members hearing from and questioning Gordon Marsden MP, the shadow aviation minister, Rt Hon David Hanson MP, the shadow immigration minister and Iain Wright MP, the shadow business minister.

 

ENDS

11th March 2015