Comment on Budget Submission by CBI
Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), responding to the CBI’s Budget 2011 submission, which argues that “further hikes in APD must not take place”, said:
“It is heartening to see recognition from the CBI of the importance of aviation to Britain’s economy.”
Comment on BAA Winter Resilience Report
Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association, commenting on today’s publication of the Begg Winter Resilience Report into the snow disruption at Heathrow last December said:
“It is important that an holistic approach is taken to tackling any such similar circumstances in the future. This will require co-ordination not just between airlines and airports but also local and central government. It is no good keeping an airport open if the roads to and from it are closed due to poor contingency planning by the local authority for example. “
Comment on Launch of UK Aviation Policy Consultation
Responding to the first stage of the two year consultation exercise on aviation policy with the publication today of the Department for Transport document ‘Developing a sustainable framework for UK aviation: Scoping document’, Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), said:
“BATA, representing UK airlines, will be responding vigorously and comprehensively to the DfT aviation policy consultation process. A healthy, thriving aviation sector is vital to the economy. Sustainable growth in aviation will bring much needed economic and social benefits to the UK as well as helping to support millions of jobs. It is essential the UK aviation industry remains competitive in the face of the global challenge from our European neighbours and the emerging economies across the globe.”
Response to Comments by Treasury Minister on Aviation Taxation
Commenting on the speech by Justine Greening, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, at this morning’s ABTA Travel Matters Event, Simon Buck, Chief Executive of BATA said:
“While Justin’s Greening’s aspiration to make Air Passenger Duty “simpler, fairer and more efficient” is to be welcomed, the fact remains that the UK tax on flying is the highest in the world and this Government simply cannot make its mind up whether to support the industry or to clobber it. If the Government was serious about growing tourism to and from the UK to help boost our economic recovery, they would take positive steps to cut the damaging tax on flying as have many other EU States. Instead, they plan to increase the tax next year at the same time as airline costs will rise with the entry of aviation into the EU Emissions Trading scheme. We still have a long way to go before we see the joined-up thinking in Government circles that the travel industry so desperately needs to have. In the meantime, our continental rivals are growing their tourist industries at our expense.”
ENDS
BATA Comment on Commission’s Proposed Revisions to Airline Passenger Legislation
Commenting on today’s proposals from the European Commission to “clarify and strengthen enforcement of the Regulation”, Simon Buck, chief executive of BATA, said:
“One of the major shortcomings of the current European legislation is the lack of common enforcement around the EU , leading to an inconsistent approach between Member States. This causes problems of interpretation for both passengers and airlines alike and greater clarity is therefore to be welcomed. However, the problems with the Regulation are more deep-seated than this and there is an urgent need for the Commission to address the complexity of some of the highly prescriptive provisions that can result in confusion and protracted dispute. There is also a problem with the unlimited liability faced by airlines which could be devastating for the industry in the event of another crisis, such as last year’s volcano, resulting in the closure of European airspace.”
ENDS
Air travel tax soars by 16% while air passenger numbers dip to lowest for seven years
Official figures published today show total tax receipts from air passengers soared by 16% in the year to March to over £2 billion while total passenger numbers at UK airports dipped by 3% to their lowest level for seven years. Commenting, Simon Buck, Chief Executive of BATA said “Instead of hammering air travellers, HMG should follow the example of other EU States and cut this suffocating tax on tourism and economic growth to help stimulate recovery”.
The third progress report from Sustainable Aviation (SA) is launched today by its Chair Jill Brady.
The 2011 Progress Report sets out SA’s achievements over the past two years in working collaboratively towards its goals on the environment, climate change, noise, air quality and waste.
It also outlines the new work programme already under way in SA, a unique coalition of UK airports, airlines, engine and airframe manufacturers and air traffic management, set up six years ago by the industry to address its long-term sustainability.
In a speech to the UK Aviation Club, Jill Brady said: “Despite the most challenging couple of years in the industry that I can remember, members’ commitment to Sustainable Aviation has not wavered. Real progress has been made in many areas, not least in the management of aircraft waste and local air quality, identifying and proving new sustainable fuels, initiatives in air traffic management and airport procedures, and in offering a realistic assessment of the inter-dependencies between noise, CO2 and local air quality.”
She highlighted an initiative last year testing a “Perfect Flight” between Heathrow and Edinburgh. Every stage of the journey was calibrated to achieve optimal performance. The flight used around 350kg less fuel and one tonne of CO2 (about 11%) on the norm for the route.
“This shows that collaboration between Sustainable Aviation signatories can deliver tangible positive results and demonstrates the potential for future environmental improvements,” said Jill.
“With the Government set to develop a new policy framework for aviation, Sustainable Aviation will continue to play a crucial role in proving the industry’s commitment to addressing its environmental impacts. It will also be an opportunity for us to demonstrate how our sector can grow sustainably while maintaining its position as a critical part of the UK and global economy.”
The Progress Report has been endorsed by Sustainable Aviation’s Stakeholder Panel, a group of recognised independent sustainability experts.
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Notes to Editors
Comment on PM’s Speech about Economic Growth, January 2011
Simon Buck, Chief Executive of BATA, commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech about economic growth, said:
“It really is quite remarkable then that, unlike the Irish Government which recently slashed their tax on flying to help promote tourism, the UK Government seems set on making Britain one of the most expensive countries in Europe for tourists to come and visit as well as penalising British families taking annual sunshine holidays. For example, it costs a Chinese family over £600 in Air Passenger Duty and visa costs alone to visit the UK compared to just over £200 to visit France. Maybe that goes some way towards explaining why in 2008, France received 688,000 Chinese tourists compared to just 108,000 visiting the UK. Tourism is a key driver of the UK economy and is credited with creating one in five new jobs over the last 10 years and the Prime Minister rightly wants to boost the numbers of tourists visiting Britain. But the UK now has the highest taxes on flying in Europe and is losing market share to other countries that are investing heavily in expanding their own airports unlike in the UK. We really need to see some joined-up thinking from the Government on this.”
BATA Supports ‘A Fair Tax on Flying’
The British Air Transport Association (BATA) supports the ‘Fair Tax on Flying’ campaign, an alliance of more than 25 airlines, airports, tour operators, destinations and trade associations who have today announced they are uniting to call on the Government to make aviation taxation in the UK fairer.
Simon Buck, Chief Executive of BATA said:
“The UK tax on flying is the highest in the world, raising over 15 billion pounds in the next five years – more than the tax on banks. Not one penny of this is used to help the environment. Instead it threatens jobs and economic growth. We hope the Government takes note of the five tests the ‘Fair Tax on Flying’ campaign is setting them today and gets to grips with the points the campaign makes about this ever increasing barrier to UK travel, trade and tourism.”
Notes to Editors
