Transport secretary Chris Grayling said the public consultation on a new UK aviation strategy, which launched today (July 21), would look to “create an outward-looking Britain” with a plan which “looks beyond” a new runway at Heathrow and sets out a “long-term vision” for the sector to 2050.
Taxpayers are now being asked to have their say on how the sector should respond to a range of technological, security, environmental and customer service challenges.
The consultation on each of these areas will run throughout 2017 and 2018 and will be followed by the publication of the final aviation strategy by the end of next year, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.
Among a number of plans detailed in the consultation is a £1 billion scheme to double the size of Manchester airport’s Terminal 2.
The project will create 1,500 jobs, allow for more international destinations, and grow passenger numbers from 27 million to 45 million a year.
Other ideas, on which the public are being asked to give their views on, include airport bag check-ins in town centres and a “luggage portering” service while there is also an outline to introduce new forms of compensation for aircraft noise or designing targets for noise reduction.
Grayling said: “Aviation is central to our future prosperity as we leave the European Union. As a global, trading nation we want to build on the great industry we have today and create opportunities for people up and down the country.
“Our new aviation strategy will look beyond the new runway at Heathrow and sets out a comprehensive long-term plan for UK aviation. It will support jobs and economic growth across the whole of the UK.
“Our vision puts the passenger at the heart of what we do, but also recognises the need to address the impacts of aviation on communities and the environment.”
Commenting on the announcement, Dale Keller, chief executive of the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) said: “We commend the government’s recognition that aviation is a principle enabler and driver of the UK economy and the need for a cohesive and effective strategy to deliver growth and consumer benefits.
“Global connectivity will be paramount to the UK’s success as we leave the European Union and it is essential that issues like border security, the customer experience, and tackling the world’s highest passenger tax, are intrinsic to the new strategy.
“It is vital that this important piece of work does not remain a strategic document, like the stagnated 2003 white paper, but is quickly and decisively acted upon with an effective implementation programme.”
Elsewhere, Virgin Atlantic’s chief financial officer Tom Mackay said that while the carrier welcomed the consultation, it must focus on the needs of the consumer and enhancing competition.
“The government is right to ask whether existing slot regulations will produce the best outcomes for consumers with Heathrow expansion. This vital question must be urgently addressed,” he said.
Mackay also called for a reduction in “the world’s highest long-haul flying tax” and new slots at Heathrow, where capacity will be expanded to 135 million passengers a year.
“When one airline group has a stranglehold on almost 60% of the slots, it limits the amount of competition that others can provide. Expansion offers a once in a generation opportunity to significantly increase airline competition at the airport. New capacity must be allocated in a way that brings more choice, lower fares and better service for customers.”
