BAR UK calls for urgency on new aviation policy

In a speech to the Airport Operators‘ Association (AOA) annual conference, the Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP stated that the Dept for Transport would issue a scoping document in the new year, setting out a range of questions, after which a draft policy document for formal consultation will be issued in early-2012.

Mike Carrivick, chief executive of BAR UK, said: "There is a huge policy vacuum regarding aviation in the UK. The decision to ban any new runway capacity in South East England requires a policy that sets out alternative government objectives and strategies; right now there is none."

He added that BAR UK has serious concerns that the planned time scales involved do nothing to address the urgency of the situation. It could take another three years for the planned consultation to be published, responded to and decisions made.

Meanwhile, he pointed out that airlines are already taking a hard look at how difficult it can be to trade in the UK and are assessing alternative plans. This week, Air Asia X was reported to be dropping plans to serve Manchester because of APD increases. Another airline is reviewing its commitment to the UK since it is unable to get all the slots it needs for a viable service to Heathrow.

"This is bad for UK plc and demonstrates why BAR UK calls for a speedier policy-making process," concluded Carrivick.