Speaking at Abta’s annual Travel Matters conference in his first public speaking engagement, Lord Callanan told delegates: “I’m really privileged to be in this role, partly because it’s such an important time for aviation and transport.
“One thing is that this is not going to change. This government will remain pro-aviation and pro-travel”.
He reassured those concerned by the omission of any mention about Heathrow expansion in last month’s Queen’s Speech, confirming that it remained very much on the government’s agenda.
“The reason it wasn’t announced in the Queen’s Speech is because legislation doesn’t need to change [to build a new runway]… Our airspace is a piece of national infrastructure. We’re a government that recognises the vital importance of the aviation industry.”
However, Callanan acknowledged that the UK had slipped behind other countries regarding airport capacity. He added: “The UK is the fastest growing economy in Europe and we should do better than France and Germany. But faster growth requires deeper links with the aviation market in the years ahead.
"Countries have been increasingly taking over us in recent years. A new runway would give the UK room to grow our travel links for years to come and new domestic flights. The good news is that Heathrow promised 40 new domestic routes and we will make sure they deliver on that.”
Elsewhere, Callanan recognised industry frustrations on Brexit. “We know that like any other industry you want certainty and you want it quickly… there will be some time before we can give that certainty. We’ve only had one full day of Brexit negotiations but the signs are encouraging… and aviation is a priority,” he added.
“It’s in the interests of the UK and EU and everyone in travel that we achieve an open and secure aviation deal.
“I will be a minister that wants to see this industry delivering,” he concluded. “And not just for consumers but for the UK as a whole.”
