Consumers – not Heathrow shareholders – must stand to gain from expansion at the airport and passenger charges should remain at least at current levels.

Responding to the publication of the Transport Select Committee report on the Airports National Policy Statement, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry association that represents UK-registered carriers, said:

“Airlines are pleased that the Committee has signalled its support for additional capacity at Heathrow. This is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the UK’s domestic and international connectivity, which will be more important than ever as we prepare to leave the EU.

“That said, the Committee has called for a number of changes to strengthen the National Policy Statement to ensure Heathrow expansion can be delivered, whilst keeping costs down and passenger charges at current levels. The Transport Secretary has said previously that consumers – not Heathrow shareholders – must stand to gain from expansion and that charges should remain at least at current levels – a position the Committee has endorsed.

“The Government should now follow through on its advice and bulk up the wholly inadequate section on cost in the NPS – and set out how it will use the DCO planning process to assess – independently – the scheme’s affordability. It will be at this stage that airlines – together with the CAA – can judge for themselves the likelihood of Heathrow being able to deliver on its promises to keep charges down, and until then they will reserve the right to withdraw support if this is not achievable.” 

Airlines UK response to Brexit transitional agreement announcement

Responding to the announcement that political agreement on a transitional agreement between the UK and EU has been reached, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry association that represents UK-registered carriers, said:

“UK airlines have long called for a transitional arrangement that will give much needed clarity to the industry and ensure that market access to, from and within the EU – as well as to third countries such as the United States – is protected. We welcome the political agreement that has been reached by both sides – which is a substantial achievement compared to where we were a year ago – and look forward to legal clarity being provided as soon as possible and further details made available as to exactly how our relationship with and participation within the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will play out.

“Subsequently, we would urge both sides to begin work as soon as possible on securing a comprehensive UK-EU aviation agreement that ensures the continuation of services beyond December 2020 and – like other air services agreements – can be split off and negotiated separately from the main trade deal, and agreed well in advance of the end of the transitional period.”

Cargo airline West Atlantic UK joins Airlines UK

West Atlantic UK – a trusted supplier of dedicated cargo aircraft solutions to the Express Parcel and Integrated logistics industry – has become the latest member of Airlines UK, the industry body that represents UK-registered carriers.

West Atlantic UK Limited is a UK-registered company based at East Midlands airport, and currently operates seventeen Boeing 737 aircraft. With expansion plans in place, the company expects to be operating 22 aircraft of this type, both Classic and New Generation models, by the end of 2018.

Holding company West Atlantic Group was created in 2008 through the merger of two of Europe’s most established independent cargo airlines, West Air Europe of Sweden and Atlantic Airlines of the UK. The merged entity is Europe’s largest cargo airline and most experienced provider of unique, integrated Ground to Air logistics for the Mail Industry. They are providers of complete turnkey cargo aircraft solutions, have an annual turnover in excess of 150 Million Euros, and employ some 500 staff to operate a fleet in excess of 50 aircraft.

Airlines UK is the trade body for UK-registered airlines and other carriers with a UK operation – with members representing all sectors of the industry. Our thirteen members are: British Airways, CargoLogicAir, DHL, easyJet, Flybe, Jet2.com, Norwegian UK, Ryanair, Thomas Cook, Thomson Airways, Titan Airways, Virgin Atlantic and West Atlantic UK. The association works with governments, regulators and legislators to promote the interests of UK airlines, and with organisations across the sector to encourage long-term and sustainable growth in aviation. It formulates opinions and engages with stakeholders on a number of issues, including Brexit, airport capacity, taxation, sustainable aviation, disruptive passengers and regulation and consumer protection.

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said: “We’re pleased to be welcoming another dedicated cargo operator into the Airlines UK membership, and this will strengthen our message and voice on this most important of sectors, which adds so much to the UK both in terms of economic contribution and social value. As the association that advocates on behalf of UK-registered carriers we want to represent all parts of our industry – whether that’s cargo, low-cost, legacy or tour operator – and joining up with West Atlantic, the largest cargo airline in Europe, will add an extra string to our bow and better enable us to advocate on the things that matter to our members.”

Nigel Hiorns, Managing Director of West Atlantic UK Limited, said: “We are looking forward to being a part of the Airlines UK membership team and working closely with the other UK Operators and sharing our voice at a sensitive time for protection and sustainability of the UK aviation sector. West Atlantic UK plays an important role in vital overnight delivery of important mail, e-commerce product and other important material to a vast amount of UK businesses both in and out of the UK, so we hope the addition of our membership will further strengthen the representation and influence needed to ensure that we, and all other UK carriers are acknowledged as a very important part of UK business.”

Airlines UK statement on air services between the UK and US

Responding to recent press speculation about air services between the UK and US following Brexit, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the association that represents UK-registered carriers, said:

“UK airlines fully expect that the UK and US Governments will sign an open and liberal agreement – including on ownership and control – that will allow UK carriers to continue to serve the US following our departure from the EU.  

“Separately, airlines will continue to support Ministers in reaching a deal with the EU that is in everyone’s interest – providing for open competition between carriers and as liberal ownership and control rules as possible. As the Chancellor set out yesterday we also want to see an agreement on the implementation phase agreed as early as possible and ideally at the March Council. It is essential that clarity can be provided to both consumers and airlines through to at least December 2020. Subsequently, agreement is vital on a comprehensive EU-UK aviation agreement that protects market access to, from and within the EU and – like other air services agreements – can be split off from the main trade deal. Further clarity from the Government on its negotiating stance – over and above the extremely positive statement made last week by the Prime Minister on the UK wishing to remain a member of the European Aviation Safety Agency and wanting a continuation of air services – would be welcome also.”

Airlines UK response to Prime Minister’s speech on Brexit

Responding to the speech on Brexit delivered by the Prime Minister, in which she put on the table continued UK membership of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the association that represents UK-registered carriers, said:

“Airlines are clear in their view that it is vital for the UK to continue membership of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), with all EASA rules and regulations applied to UK operators and companies based here, and we’re pleased that the PM has formally put this on the table ahead of the negotiation. As she set out, there is precedent for this, as non-EU countries such as Switzerland are members of EASA, and in return for paying in to the Budget contribute fully to the technical working groups and policy committees and play an active role in rule making. The Swiss have similar issues with the ECJ as the UK and yet this has not prevented them from working within EASA to improve international aviation safety.

 “The UK has always made a substantial contribution to EASA with respect to both people and funding – supplying around 50 members of staff and paying in over 5 million Euros a year to the budget. It is one of the biggest technical contributors to EASA’s working groups and other work programmes and many of those contributors are employees of UK airlines. It has also always been willing to share with EASA the acknowledged expertise of the Civil Aviation Authority. We hope and expect that common sense will prevail and that both sides will see that there is precedent here and that the UK’s future participation in EASA is in everyone’s best interests moving forward.”

Keeping passenger charges at today’s levels is the only way for a new runway at Heathrow to be successfully built

Commenting on the publication of a 10-week public consultation on the latest expansion plans of Heathrow airport, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the association that represents UK-registered carriers, said:

“Airlines have been consistent in their support for expansion at Heathrow and will be making the case for a new runway before the expected parliamentary vote in the summer. However, they have also been clear that this backing remains conditional upon costs being kept under control and passenger charges not increasing in real terms, and they will reserve the right to withdraw their support if this is not achievable. The Government has rightly set out that lower fares are one of the key drivers of expansion at Heathrow, but if charges have to increase to pay for a disproportionately expensive runway, the resulting cost pressures will force up passenger fares and put at risk the viability of new and existing routes, which post-Brexit would see the UK fall further behind our international rivals in Europe and the Middle East with respect to international connectivity.

“We look forward to seeing further detail from Heathrow as to what we are our customers will be asked to pay for, and are committed to continuing to work with the airport and the Civil Aviation Authority to bring down the cost of the scheme further so that charges do not increase. This is the only way that a new runway can be successfully built that will deliver greater connectivity and economic activity for all parts of the UK.”

Vacancy – Senior Policy & Public Affairs Manager / Policy & Public Affairs Director (depending on experience)

Airlines UK (AUK) is looking for an experienced, motivated and hard-working Senior Policy & Public Affairs Manager / Policy & Public Affairs Director (based on experience) to join its team in London. The successful candidate will lead on policy campaigns and formulate AUK policy on behalf of airline members, and work with colleagues in advocating our messaging to stakeholders including Ministers, parliamentarians, regulators and industry bodies, ensuring that their interests are effectively represented and that the voice of AUK is heard in Westminster and the devolved administrations. S/he will report to the Chief Executive.

Job Requirements

• Exceptional communicator (oral and written) with a proven ability to take the lead on policy research and analysis, develop messaging across a range of policy interests, and put in place advocacy and engagement strategies.
• A track record of engaging with and working alongside stakeholders on policy, legislation, consultations and research projects.
• Excellent knowledge of UK Government and parliamentary institutions.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with civil servants across Whitehall, the Civil Aviation Authority, MPs, industry experts and external bodies over time. Capacity to network in different settings and at multiple levels of decision making.
• Skilled organiser, capable of managing a challenging agenda with competing priorities.
• At least a basic understanding of the aviation industry and airline sector, in particular.

Job description – the selected candidate will:

• Work in a small, dynamic and hardworking team in central London.
• Be uniquely involved with the UK aviation industry and airline sector in particular, working on issues including Brexit, aviation tax, airport expansion, disruptive passengers, sustainability, the upcoming Government Aviation Strategy and consumer protection policy.
• Contribute to the visibility and reputation of the airline sector within the UK policy landscape.
• Manage and lead policy campaigns in line with agreed AUK priorities and objectives.
• Interact closely with the 12 AUK airline members.
• Lead and co-ordinate the work of assigned AUK Policy Working Groups.
• Develop a personal reputation as a policy expert within aviation, speaking publicly at events and advocating on behalf of agreed AUK positions. 

Salary: Competitive but based upon experience. 

If you are interested in this position, please apply by sending your CV and covering letter to [email protected].

Airlines UK response to CAA report on the introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the aviation industry

Responding to the publication of a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) report on the introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the aviation industry, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the association that represents UK-registered carriers, said:

“UK airlines work hard to ensure that the passenger experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible, however occasionally things do go wrong and that is why airlines provide support to passengers, including complying with all legal requirements on passenger rights and consumer protection – paying compensation when it is due and offering great customer service to their 270 million passengers, in what is a highly competitive industry.   

“Following the ADR Directive and its implementation by the UK Government, ADR was made available in the aviation sector on a voluntary basis. The vast majority of UK carriers have already signed up with an ADR provider while others will be carefully considering it as an option, ultimately basing their decision on what is best for their customers.” 

“Delivering for the consumer is at the heart of an airline business” – Airlines respond to latest Civil Aviation Authority consumer survey

Responding to the publication of the latest Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) consumer tracker which sets out consumer attitudes towards UK aviation, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the association that represents UK-registered carriers, said:

“UK airlines work hard to ensure that the passenger experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible, and we’re pleased that the latest CAA tracker shows that satisfaction levels with all elements of UK aviation are overwhelmingly positive, at 86%. This is while offering lower cost travel, with fares coming down by an average of 40% over the past couple of decades, and more people taking to the skies than ever before.

“Occasionally things do go wrong and that is why airlines provide support to passengers, including complying with all legal requirements on passenger rights and consumer protection – paying compensation when it is due and offering great customer service to their 270 million passengers, in what is a highly competitive industry.

“Many parts of the passenger experience involve other players in the aviation industry, such as airports, who already charge airlines large sums of money to be able to operate services. Clearly all parts of the industry need to work together to ensure that passenger expectations are met.”  

Airlines UK response to the 2017 Autumn Budget: Treasury sleight of hand on Air Passenger Duty rates is no way to make Britain Brexit ready

Responding to the announcement in the Budget that Air Passenger Duty rates will be frozen from 1 April 2019 for economy class passengers, to be paid for by an increase in the tax on premium class tickets, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry association that represents UK carriers, said:

“The change announced today on APD is simply a sleight of hand move by the Treasury. The total tax take from APD is not being cut – currently at £3.3 billion, it will hit £4 billion a year in 2022/23 and remains the highest in the world, and is far more than those levied by our competitors, especially in Europe. Increasing the long-haul premium rate, however tempting for the Chancellor, potentially threatens the viability of some long-haul services that rely on non-economy class passengers. It also doesn’t do anything for the UK’s ability to open up new links to emerging markets, in particular from regional airports where such services are in short supply or non-existent. Post-Brexit this will be more important than ever and that’s why today is a massive missed opportunity.”