Secretary of state for transport Philip Hammond has acknowledged he and airline bosses are likely to disagree on some key issues, but called on the industry to back a new government strategy for aviation.
Speaking at the British Air Transport Association (BATA) annual dinner, Hammond said that despite not agreeing on everything, he appreciated the “forthrightness of the views” of some in the industry.
Hammond also took the opportunity to praise the aviation industry as “innovative, flexible and responsive, used to reacting in real time to a rapidly changing environment”.
Aviation plays a “key role” in the UK economy, said Hammond: “The Icelandic volcano and then the snow in December have reminded us how dependent we are on a functioning aviation system, and how severe the ramifications are when things go wrong.”
However, the government “also recognises the cost it [aviation] imposes, particularly the environmental cost,” he said.
The secretary said the new aviation strategy must focus on how aviation can grow, but “within the environmental constraints, both local and global, that we must impose”.
Hammond promised to engage with industry leaders “with an open door, as we work with you to develop a strategy for UK aviation over the coming months.”
The Department for Transport will publish a scoping document in the spring, which industry leaders will be expected to comment on, before publishing a draft strategy document in early 2012.