Michael Carrivick, chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK, says the CON-LIB coalition must revise its approach to aviation if business in Britain is to prosper...
The coalition government states in its programme that ‘business is the driver of economic growth' (page 9), and that ‘a modern transport infrastructure is an essential for a modern and dynamic economy' (page 31).
However, its aviation policies contradict those two objectives by banning any new runway capacity in South East England and by taxing the industry, and its users, as much as possible. Those policies effectively close the UK for more business!
The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) continues to challenge the government over the contradictions of its existing transport policies and to lobby for visionary policies that meet business and environmental objectives in the decades to come.
A major factor in the UK's success has been its long-standing position as the leading global transportation hub. This position is now under serious threat as a result of previous delays in infrastructure development and now a lack of effective long term planning and solutions for South East England.
The belief that airlines, passengers and freight will move either to other UK airports, or onto rail, simply does not stand up to scrutiny.
Fundamental to any transportation policy is that aviation is a highly efficient industry and a key driver to the economic prosperity of this country. The industry also continues to make efficiency gains in respect of emissions and noise and the government's isolated approach on taxation does not sit well with the EU emissions trading scheme and is negatively impacting the country's international reputation.
Much has been said and written about airports; however it is indisputable that airports and airways systems are more flexible and use less land than railways. Airports also serve as major cargo ports and a significant proportion of travellers are inward visitors and buyers.
Heathrow is a vital transportation hub and it is about time policy makers started to understand all that this entails. Gatwick Airport, good as it is, can never offer the required amount of scheduled airline connectivity on its single runway.
London needs to expand its airport capacity to meet the future needs of the country; failure to expand Heathrow will see its global importance diminish and the UK economy with it. It is illogical having a policy that prefers to see additional flights to provincial airports when visitors to the UK wish to go to London.
The final mystery to airlines and all airport users is the policy to build a high speed rail line linking London to the north which is not integrated with the main airports. This continual isolated approach to transport infrastructure is inefficient, wasteful of resources and economically damaging to the country.
Government aspirations and policies appear to be at odds with each other and need to be sorted out.
Might there already be a change of heart in the government? That's far too early to say. However, there is some encouragement that the Secretary of State for Transport has established the South East Airports Taskforce. It is to be hoped that, during its deliberations, the real impact of current policies will be realised and cause a radical re-think.
Our airports need to prepare for more business, but are being denied the chance. Let's hope common sense prevails, otherwise, as the saying goes ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail'. This country simply cannot afford to do that.