BATA Responds to Gatwick Business Plan

BATA has responded to the publication today of the Gatwick Airport business plan.

BATA Comment on Gatwick Business Plan

Responding to today’s publication of Gatwick’s business plan, Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), said:

“The presentation of Gatwick’s price commitments today is an exercise in smoke and mirrors. We do not believe it is in the passenger interest as it does not offer value for money.

“Gatwick’s charges to airlines have increased by almost 50% over the past 5 years. Today’s announcement proposes a further increase approaching 50% over the next regulatory period, while claiming this is a value for money proposition. We do not accept their arguments and reject their aim of deregulation as this is not in the interests of the travelling public.

We call on the CAA robustly to protect the interests of the consumer by retaining the economic regulation of Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow airports and using its regulatory powers to ensure there is a real term reduction in airport charges applied during the next regulatory period”.

Heathrow Investment Plan – BATA Reaction

BATA has reacted to the publication today by Heathrow Airport a £3bn investment plan.

BATA Comment on Heathrow Investment Plan

Responding to today’s publication of Heathrow’s £3 billion investment plan, Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), said:

“BATA supports improving the passenger experience at Heathrow. However, we believe this can be done without a repeat of the incredibly steep price rises we have seen in airport charges in the last few years. Prices at Heathrow are triple the level they were ten years ago and Heathrow is already the most expensive hub airport in the world. Clearly this is a concern for all passengers travelling through Heathrow, and all airlines operating there.

In the current economic climate other businesses, in private and public sectors and especially airlines, are making savings and delivering on less money. Airports should not be exempt from that and we call upon the CAA to use its regulatory powers to ensure there is a real terms reduction in charges applied to each passenger.”

ENDS

Autumn Statement 2012 – BATA Response

BATA has issued a response to today’s Autumn Statement by the Chancellor.

BATA Comment on Autumn Statement

Responding to today’s Autumn Statement, Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association , (BATA) said:

“While we welcome the Chancellor’s announcement of over a billion pounds of additional investment in UK road transport infrastructure, we regret that the Coalition Government continues to stand in the way of private investment in new runway capacity where it is most needed. As an island, trading nation, International air links are vital for the UK economy if we are to compete effectively for new overseas business and boost tourism. It is shameful that successive Governments have shied away for almost 40 years from taking difficult decisions on permitting privately funded new runway provision in the south east of England where capacity constraints are greatest, resulting in lost business opportunities and jobs to our near Continental rivals who appear to have no such qualms over building new runways. It is essential for the UK’s future competitiveness that new runway capacity is permitted, to provide for existing and future needs. I hope that will be the conclusion of the Davies Commission when it reports in the summer of 2015 and that any such recommendations are implemented by the next Government, of whichever political party, without further delay.”

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BATA Reaction to EC ‘Stopping the Clock’ on Aviation in Emissions Trading Scheme

In response to the announcement today by the European Commission about the suspension of aspects of airline involvement in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, BATA has issued this statement.

BATA Reaction to EC ‘Stopping the Clock’ on Aviation in Emissions Trading Scheme

The British Air Transport Association (BATA) has responded to the announcement today by the European Commission about the suspension of aspects of airline involvement in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association said:

“Details of precisely what has been agreed between the Commission and Member States are as yet sketchy ahead of the technical briefing promised for tomorrow but UK airlines have always argued for a global approach to tackling the impact of aircraft emissions on climate change. We would therefore welcome any progress on this made at international level through ICAO.

However, any part suspension of the EU ETS must not result in different rules applying to different airlines dependent on the routes they operate. There is a potential for competitive distortion between airlines with this action which could be damaging.

UK airlines have taken great strides towards reducing their emissions over the past few decades and continue to do so through initiatives such as Sustainable Aviation.”

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BATA Submits Response to Government Consultation on Aviation Policy

BATA has today issued a press release to accompany the publication of its response to the Government’s consultation on an ‘Aviation Policy Framework’.

BATA Response to Government Aviation Policy Consultation

The British Air Transport Association has today published its response to the Government’s consultation on an Aviation Policy Framework.

Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association said:

“It is vital for the UK’s economic prosperity that we have an aviation policy that addresses the needs of all the UK, without continuing delay. BATA calls on the Government to ensure that the composition and terms of reference of the Davies Commission attract cross party support to prevent the continuation of the see-saw of aviation policy we have experienced over recent decades.

“UK business is increasingly strident in its calls for the UK to develop its international connectivity in order to attract inward investment thus boosting economic prosperity and creating new jobs. If we are to capitalise on our emergence from recession, the Government must show willingness to unlock and encourage private investment in infrastructure at airports to allow capacity expansion where it is most urgently needed.

“As the Government recognises, the UK’s economy needs to compete in both established and emerging markets. This requires excellent aviation connectivity right across the country, ensuring the UK has both vibrant point to point airports and sufficient world class hub capacity that meets the needs of the entire aviation sector. This means prioritising a favourable planning and regulatory regime and developing a bold aviation policy. To ensure there is no further erosion of the UK’s competitive position, the Government must set a clear timetable for action and this needs cross-party support.”

BATA Comment on Policy Exchange Aviation Report

Reaction from BATA to the publication of the aviation report by the think tank, Policy Exchange.

BATA Comment on Policy Exchange Aviation Report

Commenting on today’s report ‘Bigger and Quieter: the right answer for aviation‘ published by the Policy Exchange think tank, Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association said:

“It is vital for the UK’s economic prosperity that we have an aviation policy that addresses the needs of all the UK, without continuing delay.

“This interesting contribution from Policy Exchange is but the latest in a series of contributions that recognise just how vital it is for the UK to develop its international connectivity in order to attract inward investment thus boosting economic prosperity and jobs.

“As the Coalition Government recognises, the UK’s economy needs to compete in both established and emerging markets. This requires excellent aviation connectivity right across the country, ensuring the UK has both vibrant point to point airports and sufficient world class hub capacity. This means prioritising a favourable planning and regulatory regime and developing a bold aviation policy, where new airport capacity is required. To ensure there is no further erosion of the UK’s competitive position, the Government must set a clear timetable for these measures to be put in place and to prevent the continuation of the see-saw of aviation policy we have experienced over recent decades, this needs cross-party support.”

ENDS

BATA Reaction To Creation Of An Independent Aviation Connectivity Commission

BATA has reacted to the formal announcement today by the Department for Transport about the creation of an ‘Independent Aviation Connectivity Commission’ to be headed by Sir Howard Davies.

BATA Response to Creation of an Independent Aviation Connectivity Commission

Commenting on today’s formal announcement of the setting up of an independent commission to consider UK aviation, Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA) said:

“We welcome a genuinely independent commission to review the need for new aviation capacity and to recommend a sustainable roadmap for the future.

“This commission should review this vitally important issue independently of political pressures, at local or national level, and without the bias of narrow commercial or other vested interests.

“Given the wide economic and other benefits which good aviation links bring to the UK, the review must proceed without any further delay and should look at the UK as a whole including interconnectivity by road and rail.

“But we don’t want another Roskill Commission that takes evidence for a few years and is then ignored. Crucially, all options must be on the table – nothing ruled in and nothing ruled out.”

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Reaction to Parliamentary Report on APD and Aviation Policy

BATA has welcomed the report published today by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Aviation following the inquiry it has held into Aviation Policy and Air Passenger Duty.

BATA Comment on Parliamentary Report on Aviation Policy and Air Passenger Duty

Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association, commenting on the report published today (29th August) by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Aviation said:

“Having listened to the evidence from all comers, the MPs have come to the very sound conclusion that high taxes on flying damage inward investment and tourism. It’s time we had some joined up Government thinking on this. When will this Government accept that a vigorous aviation industry is essential for the economy and for jobs and that we need to compete with our international rivals for business by growing our trading links with the rest of the world rather than taxing them out of existence or allowing them to wither away through a lack of airport capacity?”

ENDS

BATA Reaction to Hunt Tourism Speech

The reaction of Simon Buck, BATA’s Chief Executive to the speech given today about “a post-Olympic tourism revolution”by Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, the Secretary of State of Culture, Media & Sport, is available here.

BATA Comment on Tourism Speech by Jeremy Hunt

Commenting on the speech made today by Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association, said:

“It is all very well to call for new direct services to China, but with the highest taxes on flying in the world and a severe shortage of airport capacity in the south east of England, we need Government action rather than merely warm words and aspirations. Spending more money on marketing Britain to the world is welcome, but that in itself won’t do anything to address the barriers of tax and airport capacity shortages that the UK faces.”

BATA Chief Executive to Speak At London Aviation Conference

Simon Buck, Chief Executive of BATA, will be speaking at ‘A New Aviation Policy: what does the UK really need? – a conference being held in London on 27th September.

BATA Chief Executive Speaking at Aviation Conference

A New Aviation Policy; What does the UK really need? 27th September, Eversheds, London

The future of aviation is at a turning point. At last, the Government is firming up its new aviation policy. As we embark upon the biggest changes the aviation sector has seen for several years, this event brings together key industry players to debate the future of aviation.

Where is capacity really needed and what is a viable solution? How can we secure regional access and what is the impact on the UK economy? How will the inclusion of aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme impact on future aviation growth?

This timely event will offer the UK’s air transport sector a much needed platform for debate as we enter a new era for aviation. Hear from a range of stakeholders on what the priorities are, join the debate on what the UK really needs, and be the first to find out which direction the Coalition Government’s new aviation strategy is headed.

Speakers include:

Simon Buck Chief Executive British Air Transport Association

Dan Edwards Head of Economic Policy and International Aviation Civil Aviation Authority

Matt Sheldon Senior Policy Advisor CBI

Sir Roger Bone President Boeing (UK and Ireland)