BATA response to comments made by Aviation Minister on disruptive behaviour

Responding to comments made by the new Aviation Minister, Lord Ahmad, regarding disruptive behaviour by air passengers, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), said:

“Last year over 251 million passengers passed through UK airports. Thankfully incidents of disruptive behaviour are a very rare occurrence but where they do happen the impact can have serious consequences for fellow passengers, employees working in the air and at the airport, as well as for the disruptive passengers themselves. These incidents can be costly and cause delays. With air travel proving more popular than ever, and passenger numbers expected to rise across the whole of the UK in the coming years, now is the time to tackle this problem collectively. 

 “As an industry we take a zero tolerance approach to disruptive passenger behaviour. That is why we have all – airlines, airports, duty free retailers, bar and pub managers, and the police – come together to develop the voluntary Code of Practice. This sets out how we can work collectively and individually further to reduce incidents of disruptive behaviour, and act to minimise the impact where they do occur despite our best combined efforts to prevent them. We are committed to ensuring passengers have a consistently safe and enjoyable experience when travelling and to providing a safe and pleasant work environment for our employees.

 “Ultimately, we need the message to go out that all passengers are responsible for their own behaviour and that causing disruption on-board an aircraft is an illegal offence which can carry a heavy penalty, such as a travel ban, fine, or even a prison sentence.”

ENDS

29 July 2016

UK Airlines support Aviation Industry Code of Practice on Disruptive Passengers

Airlines UK, the Airport Operators Association, the Airport Police Commanders Group, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and the UK Travel Retail Forum have joined together to create the UK Aviation Industry Code of Practice on Disruptive Passengers.

The purpose of this voluntary Code of Practice is to create a common, consistent approach that co-ordinates and enhances existing efforts to prevent and minimise disruptive passenger behaviour.

A copy of the Code is available here.

Further information on what the UK airline community is doing specifically to tackle disruptive behaviour is available here.

The following Airlines UK members are signatories to this Code:

• easyJet
• Flybe
• Jet2.com
• Monarch
• Norwegian UK
• Thomas Cook Airlines
• Titan Airways
• Thomson Airways
• Virgin Atlantic

The following AOA members are signatories to this Code:

• Aberdeen
• Belfast International
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• Edinburgh
• Gatwick
• Glasgow
• Heathrow Airport
• Leeds Bradford Airport
• Liverpool John Lennon
• London City Airport
• London Luton Airport
• Manchester Airports Group – (Bournemouth, East Midlands, London Stansted and Manchester Airport)
• Newcastle
• Prestwick
• Regional & City Airports (City of Derry, Exeter, Norwich)
• Southampton
• Southend

For further information please contact Airlines UK ([email protected])

ENDS

25 July 2016

BATA response to further delay on decision about airport capacity

Responding to the Government’s decision to further delay a decision about airport expansion, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), which represents UK registered airlines, said:

“Before the referendum last week the Government was gearing up to set out where it stood on airport expansion, probably in a matter of weeks. We see no reason why this still should not take place. The Airports Commission was unanimous that we do need to see additional capacity in the South East if we are to maintain our position as an international aviation hub. Nothing that has happened in the past week has altered that fact.

“Indeed, the referendum result means there is now an even more vital role for UK aviation and need for the country to have improved transport links with the rest of the world. A speedy decision on airport capacity would not only send a clear and positive signal that the UK is still in business, but will help lay the foundations for economic growth at a time when the country needs it most.

“It will now be a priority for the new Prime Minister and Government to put all other considerations aside and make this crucial decision in the long-term national interest and as soon as possible. The country simply cannot afford yet more delay.”

ENDS

30 June 2016

Airlines urge clarity on UK remaining a member of European single aviation market

Responding to the result of yesterday’s referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), which represents UK registered airlines, said:

“We fully respect the will of the British public as expressed in the result of the referendum to leave the EU. The Government must now urgently confirm that the UK will seek to remain a member of the European single aviation market once we leave the EU. We also call on the Government to prioritise all aviation-related negotiations, agreements and decisions during the EU withdrawal process.

“Given our status as an island trading nation, and with excellent international air links and travel now being even more vital for our future prosperity and economic growth, the environment for aviation post-Brexit must be clarified as soon as possible.”

ENDS

24 June 2016

BATA comment on CAA annual airline statistics for 2015

Commenting on the publication by the CAA of the annual airline statistics for 2015, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of BATA said:

 “These new figures show BATA members collectively carried over 144 million passengers in 2015, a record-breaking number and an increase of 4% on 2014. Although an impressive number, it is important to remember that these passengers are families taking holidays, people visiting friends and relatives, tourists visiting the UK and business people on the move. UK airlines are not only global leaders and innovators, but a success story and an important industry we can be proud of, directly employing over 75,000 people and contributing to hundreds of thousands of other jobs across the economy.”  

 ENDS

2 June 2016

UK airlines urge political parties in Holyrood to support Air Passenger Duty reduction

The British Air Transport Association (BATA), the trade body that represents UK-registered airlines, has urged political parties in Scotland to support the reduction of Air Passenger Duty (APD) by 50%. A consultation on plans by the Scottish Government to halve the tax, starting in April 2018, comes to an end next week (3 June), and UK carriers are calling for political parties in Holyrood to support the reduction when a vote ultimately comes before the Scottish Parliament. Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of BATA, said:

 “UK rates of Air Passenger Duty are amongst the highest in the world and are increasingly acting as a break on economic growth. Reducing this damaging tax by 50% would increase Scotland’s connectivity and better enable it to compete with its closest rivals in Europe, who either refuse to levy APD at all or do so at a substantially lower rate.

 “The advantages of halving APD in Scotland have been well documented – £1 billion added to the economy by 2020, nearly 4,000 jobs created and welcome support for the Scottish tourism industry. It’s clear that any loss in tax revenue would be more than offset by increases in activity elsewhere.  

 “As an industry we recognise that future growth in aviation must go hand-in-hand with action to tackle carbon emissions and noise. Since 2005 UK airlines have introduced hundreds of new, quieter planes into service, representing a capital spend of almost $50 billion. In addition to investing in new fuels and operating procedures this is helping to reduce fuel burn and minimise carbon emissions. We therefore believe that the additional activity generated as a result of any future APD reduction is not incompatible with delivering on our environmental obligations. We urge political parties of all persuasions to support this policy.”   

 ENDS

26 May 2016

BATA recruits new Chief Executive

Tim Alderslade has been appointed as the next Chief Executive of British Air Transport Association (BATA), the trade body representing UK airlines.

Tim will join BATA in May, moving from the Airport Operators Association (AOA) where he has run Public Affairs and PR since December 2012. Prior to joining the AOA, Tim spent seven years working in public affairs and politics in a number of sectors, including infrastructure, international rescue and security, insolvency and healthcare. He has worked for public affairs and communications agency Insight Public Affairs and also for several MPs.

Tim will take over from Nathan Stower who is moving on to take up a senior role with Virgin Atlantic.

Jane Middleton, Chairman of BATA commented:

“Nathan will be a very hard act to follow, but we are confident that Tim will rise to the challenge. I would like to thank Nathan for all efforts, dynamism and energy over the last two years and wish him well in his new role. He has been responsible for new initiatives such as the Annual BATA lecture and our manifesto, as well as delivering much greater emphasis on effective engagement with politicians and the media.”

Tim Alderslade added:

“I am relishing the opportunity to take BATA forward and working with our members, the BATA team and wider stakeholders. It is a huge privilege and challenge to be joining BATA at such an important time for the UK airline industry. Passengers, businesses and the wider economy rely on BATA members and the organisation must continue to play a key role in representing and promoting the importance of the sector. ”

ENDS

13 April 2106

Significant step towards the abolition of Air Passenger Duty in Scotland

Responding to the publication of the Scottish Government’s consultation on a Scottish replacement to Air Passenger Duty, British Air Transport Association (BATA) Chief Executive Nathan Stower said:

“This is a significant step towards the abolition of Air Passenger Duty in Scotland. The Scottish Government recognises that UK APD is holding their economy back. Reducing the tax by 50% as a first step would make a big difference to businesses and families. We urge that the reduction be implemented in full in 2018 to maximise the impact and benefits of the change.

“Devolution will have knock-on consequences  for airports in northern England as passengers travel across the border to pay less tax. APD distorts competition and hinders economic growth. We look forward to its full abolition as soon as possible.”

ENDS

14 March 2016

Flying High? How Competitive is Air Passenger Duty?

New report sets out facts on UK flight tax – the highest in Europe and among highest in the world

With devolution of the tax to Scotland, is England set to lose out?

With just over a week to go before the Budget on 16 March, a new analysis of the UK’s tax on flying has been published. The detailed report, produced by Steer Davies Gleave and entitled ‘Flying High? How Competitive is Air Passenger Duty?’, assesses and benchmarks the UK’s Air Passenger Duty (APD) against similar taxes in Europe and the rest of the world.

The key findings are:

• UK APD has raised a total of £31 billion in total since its introduction in 1994 – from £331 million in its first full year of operation to £3.1 billion in 2015.
• UK APD is the highest European aviation tax for short haul and long haul flights by a long way.

 *The UK long-haul rate will increase from £71 to £73 for flights from 1^st April 2016.

• UK APD has the highest rate of tax for long haul flights in the both the OECD and rest of the world.

• The Scottish Government is committed to reducing the burden of APD by 50% from 2018. If current UK APD rates were simply halved it would significantly improve Scotland’s competitive position compared with the rest of the UK.

Devolution of APD to Scotland – Short Haul (Band A) – comparison with Europe

Devolution of APD to Scotland – Long Haul (Band B) – comparison with Europe

Commenting on the publication of ‘Flying High? How Competitive is Air Passenger Duty?’ , Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of BATA said:

“This report presents a stark and sobering assessment of how internationally uncompetitive the UK’s tax on flying is. It also clearly illustrates the competitive advantage Scotland will gain over the rest of the UK after a halving of APD following devolution of the tax.  

Last week, the Chancellor’s decision to abolish APD for under 16’s came into force, but passengers flying from UK airports are still forecast to pay over £3 billion in APD this year. We call on the Chancellor to transform the UK’s competitive position by setting a course for full abolition of APD during this Parliament in next week’s Budget Statement.”    

Craig Kreeger, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic, said:

“This report demonstrates that the long haul rate of tax on UK air passengers is the highest in the world. The Government have made some positive steps forward over the last two years, but to become internationally competitive and support our economy this tax on exporters must be urgently reduced at the upcoming Budget.”

Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive of easyJet, said:

“This new independent report shows how uncompetitive Air Passenger Duty (APD) makes the UK compared to Europe and the rest of the world.   This is one league table no country wants to come top of and provides further evidence to support the campaign to abolish APD.

“The Government has already removed the tax for children and we hope that it will abolish this tax completely, helping  to make travel more affordable for all passengers and boosting the UK economy by supporting tourism, investment and business activity.”

 Steer Davies Gleave was appointed by BATA to provide background information on UK APD, including historical trends and international comparisons, as well as context on taxation of other public transport modes in the UK.

The new report sets out the history of APD, including the amount of revenue raised each year, which has gone from £330m to over £3bn in 21 years. In total, APD has raised £31bn since its introduction in 1994. Rates for domestic and short haul economy flights have increased by 160% (£5 to £13) while the tax rate for economy flights to the rest of the world rose by 630% (£10 to £73).

The research confirms that APD is the highest aviation tax levied on passengers departing from airports in the EU, Norway and Switzerland, for both short-haul and long-haul journeys in all classes of travel.  UK APD for short haul flights is 43% higher than Greece, nearly twice as high as Italy, more than two times the rate in Germany and three times that of France.  Band B – the long-haul rate – is £73 per passenger travelling in economy from 1 April. This is more than twice the level of the next highest tax for long-haul journeys, which is levied by Germany (£32).

Overall, when compared with other international peers including the OECD grouping of countries, such as Japan, Australia and the USA, the UK has the highest rates of APD for long haul flights and some short haul flights.

The UK has the fifth highest tax within the OECD for domestic and short-haul economy flights, but the highest tax for business class short haul flights and has the dubious accolade of having the highest tax in the world on long haul flights.

Globally, the UK ranks 27^th and 61^st highest in the world for short haul business and economy flights respectively, with the data clearly showing the UK sitting apart from its competitors in Europe and many other major economies.

The report also considers the situation in Scotland, where control over APD is about to be devolved and the current Scottish Government has publicly committed to cut the tax by half from 2018, with full abolition to follow when finances allow.  If UK rates were simply halved, it would positively affect Scotland’s ‘air tax competiveness’ and all the benefits that flow from that. Scotland would improve its standing by 38 places over the rest of the UK in the global competitiveness league for tax on short haul economy flights. Scotland would rank 9^th highest for tax on long haul economy flights, leaving England and Wales at the top of the league with the most uncompetitive tax of its type in the world. While this means Scotland would still be less competitive than most EU countries, it would have a huge competitive advantage over the rest of the UK.

ENDS

7 March 2016

Statement on disruptive passenger incidents

The vast majority of passengers reach their destination having had a safe and enjoyable journey.

While disruptive behaviour remains rare, incidents can have a big impact – on fellow passengers, on employees, and on the disruptive passengers themselves. The results can be nuisance and annoyance at one end of the scale, to threats to passenger, crew and aircraft safety at the other.

Airline data suggests that excessive and uncontrolled alcohol consumption is a common cause of incidents, but it is not the only factor. Whatever the reason, everyone should understand that it is an offence to be abusive, threatening, insulting or disorderly towards aircraft crew. It is also illegal to board an aircraft whilst drunk or to be drunk whilst on an aircraft. The worst cases have resulted in fines and custodial sentences.

Our member airlines take a zero-tolerance approach to this issue and there are many examples of individual and collective cross-industry good practice. BATA is working with its members and partner organisations across the industry to deliver further practical measures to provide a consistent and robust response to this problem.

ENDS

2 March 2016