THE

OPERATORTHE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION

AOA URGES BUDGET SUPPORT FOR UK AVIATION and warns that the survival of UK is at stake

Features AIRPORT Plans for a new £150m terminal tells local council ts future approved in principle depends on a extension

EIGHT ENGLISH AIRPORTS HOPES RISE FOR SPRING 2021 bid for freeport status Stansted expansion 2

THE AOA IS PLEASED TO WORK WITH ITS CORPORATE PARTNERS, GOLD AND SILVER MEMBERS

Corporate Partners

Gold Members

Silver Members

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 3 KAREN DEE Introduction to The Airport Operator THE AIRPORT All of these moves amount to a Welcome to heartening vote of confidence OPERATOR from the owners of airports that THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION this edition of we will recover and be a vibrant, successful sector again. But, while AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION The Airport that is really good news for the future, it shouldn’t distract us from The Baroness Ruby Operator the desperate situation that many McGregor-Smith CBE airports find themselves in now after Chair which tells the Government has, in effect, forced Karen Dee the story of them to close down their passenger Chief Executive operations. Henk van Klaveren how UK airports are fighting Head of Public Affairs & PR The Office of National Statistics to survive the worst crisis recently confirmed that air travel has Christopher Snelling that they have ever seen, but suffered more from the pandemic Policy Director than any other sector. The UK Rupinder Pamme also points to some optimism Government’s statement that Policy Manager international travel restrictions will Patricia Page about the future. not ease before 17 May means that Executive Assistant We asked a diverse group of airports we will also be the worst-hit sector & Office Manager to tell us how this year like no other this year. It is against this grim has been for them and they paint a Richard Atkin background that we have called on vivid picture of the action they took Finance Executive the UK and devolved governments to save their businesses and to start to set out sector-specific support to Tania Roca to prepare for the moment when help ensure there are viable airports Operations, Safety we can all fly again. In this edition to be able to restart. In this issue you & Commercial Director you can read the stories of chief can read about the Airport Recovery Oli Melzack executives at , Cornwall Airport Plan that we have submitted to Public Affairs Manager Newquay, Doncaster and Whitehall in our bid to secure urgent . support. We will find out whether AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION As well as the view from airports, the Treasury has been listening on 3 3 Birdcage Walk we also sought the perspectives March when Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, SW1H 9JJ of our airline colleagues, of the reveals his Budget. wider business community and I hope that Ministers and officials T: +44 (0)20 7799 3171 of the regulator and you can read will also understand that it is not just E: [email protected] perceptive contributions in this issue W: www.aoa.org.uk financial support that we seek, vital from IATA, the CBI and the CAA. as that is. Time and again in this crisis Despite the tremendous difficulties we have seen rapid and unexpected changes in Government policy for our Michael Burrell that all airports are currently sector announced with no warning or Editor experiencing, it is also striking to see how many of them continue to press consultation. ahead with plans for growth and Now we need a clear framework for investment in the medium and long- recovery from Government that will THE AIRPORT OPERATOR term. enable us to plan ahead. Ministers MAGAZINE IS PRODUCED BY It was a cheering moment for our can’t just press a button and say now sector earlier this month when Leeds ‘off you ’; we won’t have the staff Bradford Airport won their local and airlines won’t have the aircraft available. It is going to be a big Shimon Speigel council’s approval for a new terminal Creative Director building. You can also read about logistical and operational challenge how Stansted been making its case for all of us to be ready to maximise Natalia Lacerda to a public inquiry to secure approval the benefits of a restart. My hope is Graphic Designer for an extra eight million passengers that Ministers and officials will work GENIUM a year, while London Luton is seeking with us to set out a clear pathway Studio 27 council approval for a one million to reopening so that, when the time Quadrant Business Centre increase in its annual passenger cap, comes, we will all be ready to play our 135 Salusbury Road is appealing against a part in the nation’s recovery.  London NW6 6RJ council decision to reject its plan for a two million increase in its cap and Karen Dee, Chief Executive T: +44 (0)20 7089 2622 seeks council E: [email protected] approval for a vital runway extension. W: www.geniumcreative.com 4

AOA URGES BUDGET SUPPORT FOR UK AVIATION AND WARNS THAT THE SURVIVAL OF UK AIRPORTS IS AT STAKE

The Airport Operators Association has launched a 15-point Airport Recovery Plan in a bid to secure urgent support for UK aviation in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s 3 March Budget.

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The report comes with a warning from AOA Chief Executive, Karen Dee, that “this summer must be a success for aviation if airports are to survive in the coming years”.

She said: “A further delay in airports’ recovery leaves the UK’s economic recovery at risk and the UK Government’s levelling-up and global Britain agenda in tatters. If government fails to step up to the plate, the impacts are clear: people and businesses who depend on aviation for their own success will carry the heaviest burden, particularly outside London and the South East of ”.

In the run-up to the Budget the AOA has been meeting MPs of The impact of the pandemic on UK airports had been all parties to outline its recovery “unprecedented” and was felt across all airports, but plan. MPs on the Transport Select Committee have been fully briefed significantly more so at smaller airports. and copies of the report shared with Shadow spokespeople, airport and that sets out how and when testing to facilitate a world-leading border aviation-interested MPs and peers will reduce and finally eliminate experience. and similar groups in the devolved quarantine for international travel. administrations. 10. Fund support for the further 4. Withdraw business support only roll-out of next generation security The 17-page AOA report, published gradually, with a continuation of equipment. on 3 February and described as “A measures such as business rate Recovery Plan to let UK airports relief and the Job Retention Scheme 11. Allow Apprenticeship Levy take off again”, sets out how the for the aviation industry. funds to be spent on general skills Government can support airports training. through the aviation shutdown, 5. Offer a 12-month Air Passenger help to restart aviation, boost Duty holiday, remove double- 12. Fund the first stages of the the aviation recovery, ensure UK charging of domestic APD and Airspace Modernisation Strategy. airports remain competitive and deliver discounted APD for flights world-leading, ensure a sustainable using sustainable fuels. 13. Establish a “Green Airports” aviation recovery and plan for future Fund to fund sustainable power pandemic resilience. 6. Reverse abolition of the airside and heat generation, electric VAT exemption and introduce vehicle charging infrastructure, low Specifically, it says that the arrivals duty-free. emissions airside vehicle uptake Government should: and sustainable aviation fuel 7. Establish Public Service infrastructure. 1. Extend full business rates relief in Obligation routes for important 2020/21 and retain relief in 2021/22, routes that are not returning and 14. Provide funds to improve while also providing alleviation from set up an Aviation Restart Fund to access to airports, including green regulatory and policing costs in the provide funding for airport charges transport options. current financial year and again in on certain routes. 2021/22. 15. Provide a framework for future 8. Reassert its commitment to pandemic management to be in 2. Cover airport operating costs “making best use of existing place if and when COVID-19 is during closure of domestic and runways” and the safeguarding of managed to a point where health international passenger movements land around airports. restrictions are no longer required. i.e., at least during the first quarter of 2021. 9. Fund research for the trialling In her introduction to the report, and implementation of current and the AOA Chief Executive said there 3. Put in place a testing framework future seamless journey technology was “a real prospect that 2021 is not

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materially better than disastrous 2020”. AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION The Report develops A UK Airport She pointed out that throughout Recovery Plan the COVID-19 crisis airports had three different remained open in the national traffic scenarios for interest, serving remote communities and key industries such as oil, the period 2021- gas and offshore wind, as well as providing emergency services and 25. All assume that bringing crucial supplies into the UK domestic traffic UK. All of these were costs borne by the aviation industry with little recovery is stronger government support or recognition. than international Dee said that government support short-haul traffic would be vital, even in an optimistic scenario, to prevent the UK lagging due to fewer travel behind our international competitors. UK-wide passenger numbers could restrictions. return to 2019 levels around 2025 at the earliest, if 2021 sees a successful global vaccine roll-out and easing sector supported Gross Value of 2021. At medium-sized airports of travel restrictions, but that was Added of £46.2 billion, 832,000 EBITDA returns are also expected genuinely an optimistic scenario. jobs and associated income of £25.7 to be positive from the summer of billion. 2021, though revenue recovery is She emphasised that “the role of slightly weaker and EBITDA returns government is to see the aviation The impact of the pandemic on UK might not be positive throughout the sector not just through the airports had been “unprecedented” year in the most pessimistic scenario immediate crisis but support the and was felt across all airports, but until 2025. At smaller airports sector through the slow recovery significantly more so at smaller annual EBITDA is expected to remain with a UK-wide Aviation Recovery airports. All airports had sustained negative throughout the period. Package”. Dee said: “the financial heavy losses but those sustained damage of the pandemic for by small and medium-sized airports Looking at prospects for airports aviation will take years to repair, so had been proportionately greater. by region in the 2021-25 period, the work must start urgently. This the Steer Report suggests that the is particularly important outside The Report develops three different finances of London’s airports are London and the South East, where traffic scenarios for the period 2021- projected to recover faster than the recovery is expected to take 25. All assume that UK domestic those of other regions. This is partly longer to the detriment of the UK traffic recovery is stronger than because on long-haul routes airlines Government’s levelling-up agenda”. international short-haul traffic due are likely to initially concentrate their to fewer travel restrictions. They capacity at Heathrow and Gatwick. The UK Airport Recovery Plan draws also all assume that short-haul traffic In the North of England and Scotland from a 56-page report commissioned recovery is stronger than long- the potential loss of connections by the AOA from the global business haul due to better cooperation on to emerging markets in Asia and to consultancy, Steer, on the impact of international traffic restrictions as hub airports in the Gulf could have COVID-19 on the UK aviation sector. well as more effective mitigation significant negative implications for The Steer Report was completed in of the virus (e.g., through vaccines) regional connectivity. The economic December 2020 and the consultancy within Europe, compared to many of impact of lower traffic is likely to be has noted that developments since the UK’s long-haul destinations. felt the most in countries and regions then “produce a significantly more more reliant on smaller airports, pessimistic outlook for 2021 and a Steer suggests that following such as Wales, Northern Ireland and more adverse starting position for the start of the projected traffic and Humberside. medium-term recovery”. recovery in the spring of 2021, revenues are expected to pick up Finally, the Report suggests that The Report notes that prior to the significantly across all airports. small and medium-sized airports pandemic the UK was the fourth At large airports earnings before will need to offer incentives and largest in the world and the largest in interest, taxes, depreciation and discounts on airport charges in Europe, with 300 million passengers amortisation (EBITDA) are projected order to attract traffic during the passing through UK airports. The to be positive from the summer recovery. 

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2021 8 AOA HEALTH AND SAFETY GROUP CO-CHAIR ENCOURAGES AIRPORTS TO “STEAL WITH PRIDE”

Heathrow’s Head of Health and Safety, Sharon Smith, who co-chairs the AOA’s Health and Safety Group, says that UK airports should do more to learn from each other about best practice in airport health and safety.

long with co-chair, Joanne injuries” (where syringes or needles Johnstone, London Luton’s penetrate the skin) suffered by UK airports have AHead of Health, Safety security staff searching passenger and Environment, Smith has told bags, with the number of such a great track record colleagues at other airports that injuries now significantly reduced by “it is OK to steal with pride. When the use of cut-resistant gloves. in keeping runways people take the best of the best that safe, but what she is in the spirit of collaboration. It The Group will use the AOA’s iAuditor isn’t plagiarism and it is perfectly safety benchmarking tool to review is seeking to do in acceptable”. performance jointly, identify and address trends collaboratively the Health and Smith said that UK airports have and share best practice to target Safety Group is a great track record in keeping an airport-wide improvement in runways safe, but that what she safety performance. It will monitor “shine a light” on the is seeking to do in the Health and safety standards through 2021 to Safety Group is “shine a light” on the enable airports to move towards a health and safety of health and safety of individuals in performance targeted approach for individuals in airport buildings, whether 2022. they be passengers or staff. In terminal buildings, particular, she has launched a work Smith said that airports had long programme which will focus on been collecting statistics about whether they be steps that can be taken to improve time lost through injuries, but by passengers or staff. employee injury rates. Drawing on harnessing the power of automation, her own experiences at Heathrow, the web-based tool would make it she gave as an example “sharps really easy for airports to gather and

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became keener than ever to learn pandemic is going to be a mental “It brought us all from each other’s experiences and health crisis” together as we became quickly accustomed to doing so through video calls. The Health and Safety Working collectively tried to Group now meets monthly with a Recalling the early months of the key objective being to widen its navigate a set of issues crisis, she said: “It brought us all membership. In addition to the where we had no together as we collectively tried to regular group meetings, there will navigate a set of issues where we had be two knowledge-best practice previous experience. no previous experience. It enabled share sessions each year, each It enabled us to come us to come together and connect on of which will be filmed, edited a mutual subject that was impacting and widely distributed to AOA together and connect on absolutely everybody”. Smith said members.  on a mutual subject that COVID-19 had necessitated a new emphasis on the health part of For more information, that was impacting on health and safety in relation to both please contact physical and mental health. Looking [email protected] absolutely everybody”. ahead, she anticipates that “the next share information about incidents resulting in injury. Airports would be able to provide the information anonymously, but they would know “where they are in the index and that can allow us to have a better and richer conversation”. It would make it possible to compare employee injury rates across all UK airports, regardless of size.

She emphasised that the point of benchmarking was “not to name and shame airports, but to say somebody is getting it right over here and that then allows us to say who is best in class and to learn from an airport what I can take from them. We can learn the conclusions from an incident and then collectively drive safety performance”. Smith said: “You can’t improve what you don’t measure, but if we start to measure our injury rates and we look at them, we can start to focus on reducing them”.

Smith said that she had been encouraging the spirit of collaboration within the Health and Safety Group since 2019, when she first proposed that holding meetings online would facilitate a more regular conversation. Then came the COVID-19 crisis, which had presented airport health and safety professionals with a multitude of new and unprecedented challenges, Sharon Smith ,Heathrow’s but also had the effect of Head of Health and Safety reinvigorating the Group. Members

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2021 10 AIRPORT MP SAYS THE GOVERNMENT MUST ACT QUICKLY TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF REGIONAL AVIATION

MPs receive hundreds of emails a day. Say a dozen or so will be from industry lobby groups in the UK economy. These emails often contain the latest bleak economic assessment of the severe damage the pandemic is doing to their respective sectors: “£X billion lost revenue”; “customers down Y% on a year before”; “indebtedness sky high”.

or some, it can be easy to the table. The airline was a lifeline Exeter and Norwich airports, have gloss over aviation headline for communities in the South West, lost 90% of passengers since the Fprojections as a tad abstract. served by its hard-working and pandemic took hold. Despite this, For MPs who don’t have a dedicated staff. these airports are still stepping up commercial airport in their backyard, to the plate in playing a critical role these figures could subconsciously A year on, the picture is brighter in supporting our national effort to feel remote: one day people will for my constituents. combat coronavirus, be it providing travel again to and from Spain, was handed a real lifeline after I ran supplies for the NHS, army, and France, Italy or the US, so the a successful campaign for airports emergency services or ensuring mail thinking goes. to apply for up to £8m of financial continues to flow. These are Public support. In another boost for aviation Service Obligation (PSO) routes in all I know MPs with regional airports in East , the Aerospace but name. in their constituency feel a real Group has created 100 highly skilled responsibility to people whose aircraft maintenance jobs at Exeter I’m acutely aware the commercial jobs depend on aviation’s long- Airport. airline industry will need at least term survival. I felt the devastating three months to get going again. collapse of cruelly just before At the time of writing, however, Pilots may undergo flight simulator the furlough scheme came into only one flight took off today from training or cabin crew will be brought place last year. Many local families the airport: a short internal flight to onto updated contracts and shifts. overnight had no money coming . Regional and Airports, That’s why a go-date is absolutely in to pay the bills and put food on owners of , Coventry, crucial.

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We cannot have an altogether avoidable “lost summer”. At the moment, opinion polling shows the British public widely want to keep the borders closed with tough custodial penalties for ignoring quarantine. When push comes to shove, however, is this really what should be in place in the summer when cases are fewer, the vaccine rollout continues at pace, and the idea of a break in Europe or further afield takes on a renewed appeal? It’s certainly up for debate and I know which side I’m on.

Last March, a review of Air Passenger Duty was announced as part of a package of measures to support regional connectivity by air. Many MPs welcomed this move to level the playing field to ensure regional airlines weren’t hampered by having to pay UK APD twice. The government should also look at extending the COVID Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) repayment terms for airlines to bring this into closer line with loan repayment schedules for smaller businesses through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon We need clarity on the government’s position when the Aviation Recovery Plan and Regional Connectivity Review are eventually published. On the Transport Select Committee, “We need clarity on the government’s position we’ve considered the devastating impact of coronavirus on the when the Aviation Recovery Plan and Regional aviation sector and the government’s Connectivity Review are eventually published”. response to support the sector and keep passengers flowing – not least even cheaper fares. Either way, it’s Exeter University and the Met Office travel corridors, passenger refunds, essential the government uses all are leading on cutting-edge climate safe travel guidance, employee the tools at its disposal to ensure change science research ahead of furlough, redundancies, and a fair playing field for operators COP26, and farms across Devon financing through the CCFF. But we such as , and package up their finest produce and still await one of the key tenets of this Skybus that operate from Exeter sell into US and Asian markets. recovery through the Department for Airport. And it’s equally essential that Transport’s plan, delayed as Ministers government support is not solely The survival of regional aviation is grapple with the ever-changing contingent on public confidence to critical. Without it, we’ll be levelling public health picture. It simply can’t fly, which is out of airlines’ control. down rather than levelling up the come soon enough. economic growth we need now more Post pandemic, the government than ever, in every corner of the Even if we do hear good news on needs to couple-up our levelling-up country.  APD, the benefits of cutting it – an agenda with the role regional airports excise tax – will only be felt when play in the wider UK connectivity. Simon Jupp is MP for East Devon planes can return to the skies The South West is not all cream teas and a member of the House and bookings come through as and sandcastles. Exeter Science Park of Transport Select companies can choose whether to is next to the airport and boasts tech Committee. take the savings themselves or offer businesses that export to Japan,

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2021 12 SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT TELLS LOCAL COUNCIL ITS FUTURE DEPENDS ON A RUNWAY EXTENSION

Southampton Airport has told Borough Council that approval of its plans for a runway extension “is now fundamental to the future of the airport”.

he statement is part of new runway extension. The extension airport “would be loss-making”. information submitted to the is now fundamental to the future By contrast, approval of the TCouncil last month in support of the airport, to ensure long-term of its planning application for a resilience is captured for when the 164-metre runway extension. current pandemic situation begins to ease for the aviation sector. Southampton The airport told the council that, as Southampton Airport being able a result of COVID-19, there is now to offer a wider variety of routes Airport being able only a very low level of activity at the from a higher number of different to offer a wider airport, with one or two flights per operators, will ensure that the day to the and a large airport can remain a key part of the variety of routes number of staff being furloughed. local and sub-regional economy”. from a higher

“Despite this significant fall in both In its additional and revised number of different use and income which, coupled with information, Southampton Airport operators, will the collapse of Flybe, could have says it is “unlikely to operate at a catastrophic long-term implications level more than approximately 50% ensure that the for Southampton Airport” the of the level of operations before airport can remain airport’s submission says that: “the the collapse of Flybe without the parent company, AGS Airports runway extension in the foreseeable a key part of the Limited, remains committed to the future”. At the level of operations local and sub- capital investment required for the forecast without the extension the regional economy.

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application would allow the airport However, the airport says that “the to engage with a wider variety runway extension would enable of airline operators as they seek a further 900+ of the aircraft to introduce alternative routes to operating within this market, mainly replace those of Flybe. from the A320 and families and comprising the More airlines and new routes would preferred fleets of market-leaders “help to secure the viability of , EasyJet, and Jet2, the airport, safeguard jobs in the to operate from the site”. local area that would otherwise be lost and provide future resilience A public consultation on the airport’s through a lower level of reliance proposals is now underway and on a single operator”. The airport a final decision on the planning said this should be “a key material application will be taken by the consideration” in Eastleigh Eastleigh Local Area Committee of Borough Council’s determination of Eastleigh Borough Council, possibly the planning application. next month. 

The airport has explained to the Council that the current runway length prevents many airlines operating their fleet from the “The runway extension would enable a further site. The former Flybe fleet of 63 aircraft was the single largest 900+ of the aircraft operating within this market, fleet capable of using the airport mainly from the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 and, following its collapse, there are now only just over 100 aircraft families and comprising the preferred fleets of in the UK market that could be market-leaders Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air and accommodated in the summer season without the extension. Jet2, to operate from the site”.

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2021 14 IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL – WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO BUSINESS THAT THE AVIATION SECTOR SURVIVES AND THEN THRIVES

By Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director.

t the CBI, we’re clear that the understand how critical aviation is to to beat. So, how can we help the aviation sector matters for the tackling regional inequalities, with its aviation sector survive and then AUK economy. We’ve been a supply chains running deep into local thrive? It feels to us that we need to leading voice in support of aviation economies. approach the challenge with bi-focal from the moment the pandemic lenses. struck. And with our membership spanning airlines and airports, as well as First, comes the short-term action. Our role in speaking for businesses the supporting logistics and of all sizes and sectors, across infrastructure firms, we can be clear We’re calling on the Chancellor to the breadth of the UK, make us a about the importance of the sector take urgent action to support jobs, powerful ally. in its own right, as a source of skilled by extending the furlough scheme, jobs right across the UK. and to support cashflow with It means we can speak with further action on business rates and authenticity about aviation’s For all these reasons, we’ve VAT. importance to the wider economy, strained every sinew and worked whether that be through boosting collaboratively with the government We want assurances from the tourism, meeting clients overseas, to shape the Job Retention Scheme, Treasury that it will provide support enabling engineers to support put in place business loan schemes commensurate with the impact manufacturing in foreign markets or and argue for grants to help of restrictions. Increasingly, this bringing goods into the UK. maintain jobs and save firms in these support should be focused on challenging times. the parts of the economy in most Our presence in all regions and distress, including in supply chains nations of the UK means we But the Covid virus is proving hard and hardest hit sectors, something

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“We want the government to set out a clear recovery plan, to help put an end to the stop- start nature of restrictions and enable business to plan for a successful return to growth”.

some stakes in the ground and point towards the sort of economy we want to be in a global context.

The aviation sector should and must be at the heart of this vision.

First, by deploying the skills, innovation and technology inherent in the sector to secure a low carbon future through the development of sustainable aviation fuels and the broader “Jet Zero” ambitions.

Second, by helping to tackle regional inequalities and making build back Matthew Fell, Chief UK better a reality. From professional Policy Director, Confederation of British Industry services firms in London through to manufacturers in the North East, aviation has a critical role to play in ‘levelling up’ the UK, a view we’ve made loud and clear in the Regional that the aviation sector can The UK has a once in a generation Air Connectivity Review. legitimately claim has not been the opportunity to shape its future. The case so far. twin shocks of Covid and Brexit And third, the aviation sector must coupled with structural changes play a central role in “Global Britain”. And we want the government to set driven by Net Zero and technology We have a unique opportunity to re- out a clear recovery plan, to help offer a chance to shake off persistent establish the UK on the world stage put an end to the stop-start nature challenges around productivity, this year, as hosts to both the G7 and of restrictions and enable business regional and social inequality. COP26. More than anyone, airlines to plan for a successful return to provide the connectivity and access growth. For the international travel Unprecedented times call for an to markets around the world, the sector, this would include a clear set unprecedented response. This is lifeblood of any successful modern of criteria for re-opening, and a plan an opportunity for Britain to do economy. for making maximum use of testing something different and better and vaccines to get people back than it’s ever done before, to set That’s why the CBI, as the voice of flying as soon as it is safe to do so. out a vision for how we compete business, is standing shoulder to in the world. And it can be done in shoulder with the aviation sector to At the same time as these actions for a unifying way, with business and help it survive and then thrive.  survival, it’s important to think about government collaborating on a Britain’s place in the world and how shared mission. Matthew Fell is Chief UK Policy we equip ourselves for long-term Director of the Confederation of success. The vision must be bold. It should put British Industry.

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PLANS FOR A NEW £150M TERMINAL AT APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE

Leeds Bradford Airport is celebrating council approval for a completely new terminal building that will replace the existing terminal built in 1965.

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After a marathon debate of more routes for business travellers, as than eight hours, nine members of “If fully approved, well as for the holiday traffic”. ’s city plans panel our scheme would voted to back the plans in principle, Clarke said that some passengers while five members voted against. enable us to become would always go to a bigger a net zero airport, airport, like Manchester, but “where Now the airport will make some there are opportunities for those minor changes to its plans to take delivering a much- passengers not to have to travel so account of concerns raised during improved passenger far, flying from a modern airport the debate and then resubmit to the destinations that they them for full permission by the experience and choose, that is going to be a step panel later this year. They are then creating thousands change for the experience of those expected to win final approval passengers and of course will be from the Secretary of State for of jobs, helping to good for the environment”. Housing, Communities and Local support our region’s Government. recovery”. The 34,000 sg.mt. state-of-the- art building will be constructed to Airport Chairman, Andy Clarke, said an environmental standard that, that because the approval process panel members during the debate, the airport says, only a handful of had been delayed by COVID-19 a he said: “They had a few issues other airport terminal buildings completion date of 2023 was now around the train station, around in the world have achieved. The unlikely. He promised that the taxis and on landscaping”. Johnson airport has estimated that the new building would be the most said the new terminal would development will support over environmentally friendly terminal “provide the people of Yorkshire 12,000 permanent jobs across the in the UK. Clarke said the airport and of the region with a world class and create 850 was “delighted” to have secured the terminal”, adding that it had also construction-related jobs over the panel’s in principle support, adding: been designed with a clear focus on period of building work.  “If fully approved, our scheme people with restricted mobility. would enable us to become a net zero airport, delivering a much- The decision by councillors has improved passenger experience and been welcomed by business creating thousands of jobs, helping organisations in the region who to support our region’s recovery”. want a more modern airport with a greater range of destinations. Charles Johnson, Head of Planning Clarke said the airport and Development at the airport had been in discussion said that he and his team would with a number of airlines now work with planning officers over the last year to establish what the conditions and, while it was too for full approval would be. Noting early to make any some of the concerns raised by announcements about additional routes and airlines, “we have got some exciting The 34,000 sg.mt. opportunities that state-of-the-art will give broader building will be constructed to an environmental standard that, the airport says, Andy Clarke, Chairman only a handful Leeds Bradford Airport of other airport terminal buildings in the world have achieved.

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WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 19 FACING THE CHALLENGE AND FUTURE TOGETHER

By CAA CEO, Richard Moriarty.

welve months ago, few of Despite the enormous financial and us could have predicted “I would like to management challenges, I believe Tour current situation. The publicly recognise that airport operations have coped coronavirus pandemic has taken with the ongoing challenges and an enormous human and economic and applaud the uncertainty remarkably well. The toll, and sadly will continue to sector has helped with the national do so for the foreseeable future, professionalism effort in terms of guaranteeing vital despite the planned global roll- and dedication medical supplies and equipment out of vaccines. Aviation has of all colleagues is flown into and around the suffered unprecedented financial country. Airports have also found harm and we have seen many in aviation, who themselves in the media and valued colleagues and friends lose under very difficult political spotlight for much of the their roles across the industry as response to the pandemic. Air businesses make the very difficult circumstances have corridors, passenger testing and but necessary decisions needed ensured airports have quarantine measures are all issues to survive. Not only has aviation that airports have very little direct already had to endure a whole continued operating control over but are nevertheless year with a huge loss of demand throughout the last closely involved in. and hence income, it also faces an uncertain next few months ahead of 12 months”. I appreciate that everyone wants what for many is a critical summer to have confidence that a recovery season. for infrastructure operators where scenario is in prospect soon. significant cost items are fixed. When the time comes for travel to You do not need me to tell you just The uncertainty over when normal restart, I believe UK aviation will how challenging the last 12 months service can resume, and the inability play a critical role in our economic have been for the airport sector to plan ahead, is only adding to the recovery. Aviation will literally get in particular. In 2019 UK airports pain. us moving again, connecting us to handled a combined total of 296m our trading partners and driving passengers - if 2020 had been I would like to publicly recognise economic growth as it moves a normal year, we would almost and applaud the professionalism passengers and cargo around certainly have broken through the and dedication of all colleagues in the world. All of our research 300m passenger milestone. As it aviation, who under very difficult and intelligence suggests there is is, the figure was closer to 60m, circumstances have ensured airports tremendous pent up demand for almost an 80 per cent decrease. have continued operating throughout people wanting to holiday, visit This statistic represents an immense the last 12 months. Very difficult friends and relatives and conduct existential struggle for businesses decisions have had to be made to trade and business. trying to survive a severe a balance the need to keep operating prolonged downturn, especially against the necessity to reduce costs. As the regulator for the UK aviation

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“I want to reassure everyone within the industry that we will continue strong and productive working relationships with our European partners”.

the businesses we regulate over the recent transition out of the European system. Looking forward, we will be working closely with the Government to identify potential areas where reform of the current status quo can deliver real benefits, without compromising safety, security and consumer interests. In many cases, like for commercial aviation, there will be benefits to the industry in remaining aligned with the existing international framework. In other areas, such as grassroots sport and recreational aviation and new and future technologies, there may be opportunities for regulatory reform which will deliver greater benefits.

I want to reassure everyone within the industry that we will continue strong and productive working relationships with our European partners. We will do all we can to preserve the close ties that bind the UK and EU aviation sectors. Richard Moriarty, Chief Executive Officer, Civil Further afield we have already Aviation Authority started deepening our international relationships by establishing mutual recognition arrangements with our equivalent authorities in the US, industry, we are totally focused on demand increases, potentially Canada, Brazil, Australia, Japan, New doing all we can to assist airport with a surge from a low baseline, Zealand and Singapore. businesses weather the current storm the re-start will pose some safety and aid their operational recovery challenges that we all need to be Whatever the ‘new normal’ looks like efforts in a safe and consumer- aware of and have plans in place to when we are on the other side of the focused way. We have had many mitigate. pandemic, we will all be affected by conversations with airports all over this experience for many years to the country, working with them on The UK and the CAA now has more come. Hopefully, though, we will be how to reconfigure their operations flexibility than before when it comes able to build on what we have learnt in a safe and secure manner. to setting regulations. We are no and look forward to the future with longer a member of the European confidence. Whatever lies ahead, Another task for us all will be working Union Aviation Safety Agency facing it together will give us all the to make sure we have a safe return (EASA). This has necessitated best possible outcome.  to normal. Much of the industry, from a huge amount of work on our aircraft to systems and individuals, part to re-establish ourselves as Richard Moriarty is Chief Executive will have been either dormant or an independent regulator, and to Officer of the Civil Aviation working at reduced capacity. As provide continuity and assurance for Authority.

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G7 SUMMIT IN JUNE WILL GIVE CORNWALL AND ITS AIRPORT A “ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY”

Plans to hold a world leaders’ summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, this summer present “a once in a lifetime opportunity to put Cornwall on the map”, according to Pete Downes, Managing Director of Cornwall Airport Newquay.

ownes says that when he and South Korea. Cornwall Airport talks about the long-term Newquay is an official partner of the Drecovery of the airport event and will see leaders’ planes from the collapse of Flybe and the arriving from around the world, COVID-19 crisis, he sees “the legacy though it is not yet known whether of the G7 as being the single most Jo Biden will fly in directly from the important gift and the single most US on Air Force One. important tool that we will have at our disposal to drive the recovery, But Downes says: “What really as after the G7 everyone will know excites us as much as the actual Carbis Bay, will know St Ives and will three days of the summit and the role know Cornwall”. we play there is what this does for Cornwall in terms of long-term legacy The G7 summit, scheduled for 11 to and how visible Cornwall will be 13 June, virus permitting, will be the around the world when this summit first such meeting for two years. It is being held. The real opportunity will be hosted by Boris Johnson for the airport doesn’t come from and attended by US President, Jo having a few planes on site in June, it Biden, and the leaders of Canada, comes from those images of Carbis France, Italy, Germany and Japan, Bay and St Ives being seen around as well as the European Union and the world and what that will do for invited leaders from Australia, India people’s awareness of the charms

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and enduring appeal of Cornwall”. Cornwall Airport Newquay, which has aircraft has a problem in the air, we seen its passenger numbers plummet have been, throughout the pandemic, He said: “I think it will give us a from 461,00 in 2019 to just 68,000 in the people who will support and deal platform as we look to grow our 2020. Most of the 2020 volume was with that problem in the air, get that international routes over the coming in the first two months of last year aircraft on the ground and then have years and start to increase the before the collapse of Flybe and the the support on the ground in terms number of markets where a direct onset of COVID-19. Until 2019 Flybe of rescue and fire-fighting services link to Cornwall will be seen as accounted for 70% of the airport’s to deal with any issue. We have been something with potential”. There passenger traffic. doing that very much at cost and would also be a huge opportunity at a significant financial loss for the for international connections via While the airport terminal has benefit of the wider industry. I think the airport’s link to London. The G7 been closed to passenger traffic that is lost sometimes, just how much being in Cornwall was “a once in a throughout the lockdowns, the regional airports in far-flung corners lifetime opportunity to put Cornwall aerodrome itself has remained of the country actually do to keep on the map and gives us a fantastic open for training, General Aviation, the rest of the industry moving”. tool to go out and market Cornwall coastguard, search and rescue and to airlines and tour operators and military flights. The airport’s in-house Like other small regional airports, grow the number of services going radar and services most of Cornwall Airport Newquay’s forward”. have also continued to keep the skies revenue in normal times comes from of Cornwall safe for small airfields in passenger flights. With most of Meanwhile, a decision is imminent the county and for the lifeline services those having been effectively shut on which airline will be awarded between Land’s End and the Isles of down by Government fiat, Downes Cornwall Airport Newquay’s Scilly, with Cornwall Airport Newquay believes that the Government should Public Service Obligation (PSO) being available for any bad weather now step in to help smaller regional route to London for the next four diversions. airports. Looking ahead to the years. The service, which is widely Chancellor’s Budget on 3 May, he expected to be to Heathrow, will Downes comments: “That applies hopes that the Treasury will eliminate provide Newquay with year-round in the skies all over Cornwall. If an the charging of Air Passenger Duty connectivity to London, which Downes said was ultimately what the PSO was there to deliver. Its renewal was always an important point for the airport, he said, but it was even The G7 being in Cornwall was “a once in a more important this year because “it lifetime opportunity to put Cornwall on the map will really light the way ahead for the airport’s recovery and will form the and gives us a fantastic tool to go out and market basis on which we can build”. Cornwall to airlines and tour operators and grow A recovery is badly needed at the number of services going forward”.

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for granted. Another point that Downes is keen to emphasise is that, with the airport’s workforce now down to less than half of normal summer season levels, it will take time for it to rebuild. He said: “We just wouldn’t be in a position where we could get back to half a million passengers a year, even if the demand was there, because the business needs to recover, as well as the traffic base”.

During the lockdowns, Downes’ priority has been to maintain regular dialogue with the airport’s existing airline partners, not least Loganair, who stepped in just before the pandemic with commitments to take over some of the main Flybe routes. All being well, Loganair hopes to begin operations this spring reconnecting Cornwall to , Newcastle and , as well as operating routes to Teesside, alongside the current service, and to Manchester.

Downes stresses the importance of rebuilding year-round capacity to Manchester, which had been Pete Downes, Managing delivering 100,000 passengers up Director of Cornwall to 2019 and he was clearly delighted Airport Newquay. when easyJet announced Newquay as a new network point earlier this month. EasyJet will offer a year- round five times a week service (APD) on one leg of a domestic the first aviation sector to bounce to Manchester and a twice a week journey. There are, he says, “so back, that would significantly summer season service to Glasgow. many benefits that can be derived boost the airport’s short-term and the recovery of airports like recovery prospects. As Downes Following these new airline and ours can be so well-supported puts it, “if what you need as an route announcements, Downes by the simple change of a 50% airline is more domestic traffic concludes that: “If travel can get reduction in APD. It would quite and a strong leisure focus, there going again, I think we will be genuinely be transformational is nowhere in the UK that is ahead of the game in a number for many of those smaller better placed to deliver domestic of markets because we have got and further-flung UK regional leisure traffic than Cornwall and these new airlines in and services on airports”. we have certainly seen a quite sale. In these really difficult times unprecedented level of interest in of the terminal being closed and Domestic traffic has historically getting Newquay flights”. staff being furloughed, that has accounted for over 75% of been a massive morale-booster for Cornwall Airport Newquay’s If “staycations” are permitted this everyone connected to the airport. passenger numbers, with summer, while foreign holidays It gives people hope that when the particularly strong domestic remain impossible, the airport’s time comes they will be able to get leisure traffic through the summer passenger numbers could rebound back to work and there will be a season. If, as most observers strongly, though Downes cautions secure long-term future for them at expect, domestic leisure traffic is that he has learnt to take nothing the airport”. 

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Dave Lees, CEO Bristol Airport

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BRISTOL AIRPORT LAUNCHES FIGHT TO OVERTURN COUNCIL VOTE AGAINST EXPANSION PLANS

Bristol Airport has launched its appeal against a decision by North Council to reject its expansion plans which would allow passenger numbers to grow from 10 million to 12 million a year.

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he council’s planning officers measures to minimise the adverse had recommended that environmental effects of an The expansion would Tplanning permission should be additional two million passengers per granted, but a year ago councillors year. make an important refused permission by 18 votes to seven, citing the impact of the He points to improvements that contribution to plans on the environment and the airport has already made and is neighbouring communities. planning to make in terms of its own the Government’s performance on carbon emissions, “levelling-up” agenda Supporters and opponents of which have fallen by 15% over the the airport’s plans, which include last four years. Part of that was due in the South West extensions to the terminal building, to the investment that the airport including a new immigration hall, and has made in on-site generation of – delivering up to construction of a new multi-storey solar electricity, which by 2025 car park, had until 22 February to will account for a quarter of the 5,000 new jobs in the submit their comments. A public airport’s electricity consumption. region through supply inquiry on the airport’s appeal, Since last year the airport has also led by an independent planning been offsetting all journeys to the chain growth and inspector, is due to start in mid-July airport made by car, delivering what and is expected to last four weeks. it believes is a European-first for increasing inbound The council has said it will mount airports. Bristol Airport plans to a “robust defence” of the decision become carbon neutral for direct tourism. to refuse planning permission. The emissions by 2025 and a net zero inquiry will conclude either with airport by 2050. Looking back over what he described a decision by the inspector or a as the “snakes and ladders” of the recommendation to the Secretary of Focussing on the economic benefits last year, Lees said that the most State for Housing, Communities and of allowing the appeal, Lees said the important challenges that COVID-19 Local Government. expansion would make an important had presented to the business related contribution to the Government’s to its people. Just over 30% of the The airport’s appeal comes as “levelling-up” agenda in the South staff had been made redundant and, passenger numbers at Bristol have West – delivering up to 5,000 new of those that remain, 60% are on been reduced to a trickle by the jobs in the region through supply furlough, while many of those still COVID-19 crisis, but airport CEO, chain growth and increasing inbound working are not on-site. The biggest Dave Lees, said he is confident that tourism. There would be 700 new challenge had been “keeping people passenger numbers will regrow again jobs at the airport itself and Lees optimistic that we can come through after the crisis and that expansion will said that a skills and employment this, albeit as a smaller team initially”. both create jobs and boost economic plan tied to the development of development in the West of England. the airport would enable work Asked what he thought were the experience, apprenticeships and job- most important steps that the He said that opponents of the readiness support. The plan would Government could now take to expansion plan, concerned about ensure that a good proportion of the support the recovery of airports and carbon emissions, should consider new jobs would go to people from of aviation in general, he mentions what would happen if the appeal was deprived areas such as south Bristol. three: rejected. People would still travel by air but, instead of being able to When its expansion plans were first Firstly, he said, the Government has use their local airport, many of them submitted the airport expected a key role to play in rebuilding trust would drive to one of the London that there could be twelve million in aviation, by communicating clearly airports. “That is not good news, is passengers using it by 2026. Now about what the recovery would look it?” he suggested; “it might look like the airport’s central assumption like. He said that the UK should you have achieved a win in terms of is that it will reach twelve million be working with other countries not allowing Bristol to grow, but the annual passengers by 2030. While to agree on rules for testing and issue of carbon won’t go away, so there is uncertainty over the precise health passports. Most people had you are just putting your heads in the timing, Lees says he is in no doubt spent the last twelve months either sand”. that recovery will come “and at home or close to home and for when it comes it will be a strong many travelling abroad would feel Lees is also keen to emphasise that recovery”. He pointed to a recent “exciting, but strange”. They would sustainability and greener growth survey of 7,000 people that the need clarity and certainty, which the are at the heart of Bristol Airport’s airport had conducted, where 80% of Government should be providing. plans and that it has proposed respondents said that they wanted to a comprehensive package of fly within the next twelve months. Secondly, the Government should

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development funding and grant day passenger numbers in the low support to enable the aviation hundreds, around just 1% of 2019 The Government sector to reach carbon neutrality levels. more quickly. Lees said that should continue to aviation needs to “work harder and Despite that grim background, Lees provide research faster” on this and Government remains confident and optimistic support for sustainable fuels, about the airport’s future. Assuming and development including hydrogen and electricity, that recovery begins in the second would help considerably. He said half of this year, Lees believes funding and grant that this could be particularly that Bristol could be back to 2019 important for the West of England, passenger levels as early as 2023 or support to enable which is home to the UK’s most 2024. That would put the airport the aviation sector significant aviation and aerospace in the upper quartile of UK airport cluster, including such companies recovery, with Lees explaining that to reach carbon as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and GKN. his confidence about the future Lees was encouraged by the is based on the fact that Bristol neutrality more recent news that GKN Aerospace’s concentrates on short-haul and Global Technology Centre, based leisure routes and it is these two quickly. in Bristol, will be leading on the markets which he expects to recover UK collaboration programme, most quickly. provide financial aid to airports and called H2GEAR, to develop aircraft continue to do so for some time. hydrogen propulsion systems, Bristol Airport may be all but closed That meant, he said, that the recently supported by £27m of funding from today, but Lees has his sights firmly announced business rates relief the Aerospace Technology Institute. set on a brighter future. He believes scheme, the Airport and Ground that will encompass improved route Operations Support Scheme, should For now, Bristol Airport’s frequencies, helping the airport to be extended to cover not just the commercial passenger transport gain market share back from the current financial year, but 2021/2022 business has come to a virtual London airports. He also has some as well. Similarly, the job retention standstill. While 8.9 million exciting aspirations for new medium- scheme, which is due to expire at passengers passed through the haul routes to key world cities such the end of April, should also be airport in 2019, the 2020 passenger as Dubai, Istanbul and New . extended. numbers, which are currently being finalised, are likely to be less than But first COVID-19 must be brought Thirdly, the Government should 2.5 million. The early weeks of 2021 under control and Bristol Airport continue to provide research and have been even worse, with day-to- needs to win that planning appeal. 

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Vijay Daryanani, Gibraltar’s Tourism Minister

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GIBRALTAR AIRPORT TARGETS A MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR AS AGREEMENT WITH SPAIN OPENS UP NEW HORIZONS

Gibraltar’s Tourism Minister, Vijay Daryanani, has embarked on an ambitious project to attract new airlines to Gibraltar Airport and hopes to get as near as possible to a goal of a million passengers a year.

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hat would represent quite a Manchester, as well as to Tangier was constructed in 1939 and a new leap from Gibraltar Airport’s and Casablanca in Morocco. It 380,000 sq. ft. terminal, four times TCOVID-hit 2020 passenger has recently been announced bigger than the previous terminal, total of 186,069 (compared to that Eastern Airlines are also due was completed in 2012. 491,405 in 2019). The airport’s most to commence operations in May successful year to date was in 2017, with flights to Southampton and Throughout the COVID-19 crisis the when the passenger total reached . airport has provided a vital lifeline 571,184. to the 32,000 inhabitants of the Gibraltar Airport is a military British Overseas Territory and to Daryanani is Minister for Business, airfield, owned and operated by neighbouring parts of Spain. It has Tourism, Transport and the Port of the UK Ministry of Defence for also handled a very large number Gibraltar. A self-described aviation use by the RAF, with a civilian air of shipping crews either joining or enthusiast, he was encouraged by terminal, owned and operated by the signing off from their vessels at the Wizz Air’s decision last year to launch Government of Gibraltar. The airfield Port of Gibraltar, which is just a few flights from Gibraltar to London minutes from the airport. At the Luton, describing that as “a great outset of the crisis Gibraltar had no Terence Lopez, Gibraltar achievement”. Now he is working to Airport Terminal Director local virus testing laboratory and persuade other airlines to launch new all the test swabs taken had to be routes from Gibraltar to the UK and air-lifted to UK laboratories. More other countries, explaining: “One has recently, the UK Government has to be ambitious. If we don’t try, we provided Gibraltar with its vaccine won’t know what we can achieve. I supplies and a high proportion of the will try everything possible to make local population has already been this happen for Gibraltar, and I have a vaccinated, including the third of good feeling about it”. the airport’s workforce which comes from Spain. Currently the scheduled passenger flights from Gibraltar are British The ambitious new route Airways flights to Heathrow, EasyJet development strategy for the airport flights to Gatwick and Wizz Air aims to build on a 31 December 2020 flights to Luton. When COVID-19 preliminary agreement between the restrictions ease, the airport expects Governments of Gibraltar, the UK and to see the return of flights to London Spain. That agreement is intended Luton and other UK destinations to lead to a new treaty between the such as Bristol, Edinburgh, and UK and the European Union which

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will open up the whole of the EU’s 26-country Schengen Area market, which includes Spain, to Gibraltar and its airport.

The agreement in principle on a framework for a potential treaty between the UK and the EU to govern the future relationship between the EU and Gibraltar will be the subject of further detailed negotiations which the two sides hope to conclude this summer. UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, told the House of Commons that the framework would “permit an absence of physical checks at the land border with Spain and ensure fluidity of movement of people and goods between Gibraltar and the EU”. Gibraltar Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said the framework could be “the beginning of the creation of an area of shared prosperity, with greater economic growth which will greatly benefit our people and the people of the area around us also”.

Under the terms of the framework agreement immigration controls will move from the existing land frontier between Gibraltar and Spain to Gibraltar Airport. The expectation is that both the Government of Gibraltar and the EU’s border agency, Frontex, will carry out passport checks. Terence Lopez, the airport’s Air Terminal Director, said details still needed to be agreed but it might require some redesign of the terminal to accommodate the new operational arrangements. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis the airport has provided a vital lifeline to the 32,000 Lopez also expects that 2021 will be the year when a long-running inhabitants of the British Overseas Territory saga relating to a 350-metre-long tunnel under the airport’s runway and to neighbouring parts of Spain. is finally concluded. A £30 million tender for construction of the tunnel Avenue, as the when he was 18, the completion was awarded in 2008, but a legal only road which links Gibraltar to of the tunnel and the prospect dispute between the Government of mainland Spain. Extraordinarily, the of a Gibraltar treaty between the Gibraltar and its Spanish contractor avenue crosses the airport’s runway UK and the EU should make 2021 led to a long pause in the building and must be closed by airfield a year to remember. By his own work. Now that has been resolved, barriers and traffic lights for at least admission, he has always been an the project is in its final stages and ten minutes every time a plane optimist and these transformative Lopez anticipates that tunnel will be takes off or lands. developments look set to give him, completed in the second half of this his airport and Gibraltar much to year. That will be very good news For Gibraltar-born Lopez, unable to be cheerful about.  for all of the drivers, cyclists and cross the frontier with Spain until pedestrians who must currently use it opened for pedestrians in 1982,

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EIGHT ENGLISH AIRPORTS BID FOR FREEPORT STATUS

Eight airports in England have submitted bids to the Government to become freeports – but most will be disappointed, as Ministers are expected to give the go ahead to only seven of the 40 bids from sea, air and rail ports.

he airports which submitted international investment, areas bids by the 5 February given freeport status will benefit All will be assessed Tdeadline were Bournemouth, from tax reliefs, simplified customs Carlisle Lake District, Doncaster procedures, streamlined planning next month by Sheffield, , Gatwick, processes and government support a panel chaired Heathrow, Newcastle and Teesside. to promote regeneration and innovation. by the Ministry All will be assessed next month by a panel chaired by the Ministry linked up with of Housing, of Housing, Communities and Harbour and Bournemouth, Communities and Local Government, with decisions Christchurch and Poole Council to expected by June. submit a bid, which proposes a new Local Government, customs-exempt freight corridor with decisions Designed to attract domestic and between the airport and the port. It expected by June.

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also includes a new aviation centre records in delivering transformational pandemic. Just as manufacturing of excellence aimed at addressing projects, helping to create jobs and and high-tech clusters have been skills shortages in the aviation opportunities for local people”. developed around Heathrow in sector. West London and the South East, , the UK’s our position as a connecting port An airport and aviation business largest freight airport, is part of an enables the specialisms from park spokesman said freeport East Midlands consortium bid led by other sites around the UK to reach designation would give the region two local enterprise partnerships. opportunities throughout the an opportunity to “leverage our The bid is based around the East world”. connectivity and post-Brexit cargo Midlands Airport Gateway and and logistics”. Industrial Cluster, as well as two Newcastle other industrial sites in the region. and Nissan are partners in a Carlisle Lake District Airport is North East England freeport bid. part of the Heart of the UK Freeport Clare James, the airport’s Managing The business and public sector Cumbria bid, led by Cumbria Local Director, said that a successful bid partnership says that, if successful, Enterprise Partnership with Barrow could create thousands of jobs for its bid could create 60,000 jobs Port, the Port of Workington and local people. Describing the airport and £2.7bn of private sector local councils. as “a key regional and national investment. gateway for Britain’s exports and John Mallinson, Leader of Carlisle imports”, she said it would have Nick Jones, the airport’s Chief City Council, said: “The bid “a key role to play in helping the Executive Officer, said: “Fast and represents an exciting opportunity Government fulfil its ambition of a frequent connections to growth to link three of the county’s ‘global Britain’”. She said: “As the markets are key to the success of premier transport hubs to provide port of entry and exit, we bring to the freeport and the advancement a comprehensive offer that is big the Freeport bid, along with our road of the North East’s key business enough to enable economies of haulage and rail operating partners, sectors. Air connectivity will scale and significantly improve the connectivity that is one of this strengthen the North East England competitiveness. The airport would region’s unique strengths”. freeport proposition and will help be able to offer auxiliary land to drive productivity improvements capacity for some offshore wind is at the heart of a through logistics supply chains, manufacturing. It could also offer Gatwick Freeport bid submitted by with the ultimate aim of supporting drone logistics manufacturing and the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise the growth sectors in the region services to support the offshore Partnership. – from pharmaceuticals and wind industry as well as providing life sciences to technology and the potential for just-in-time air Stewart Wingate, the airport’s Chief advanced manufacturing. The freight”. Executive Officer, said: “It is well airport is delighted to play a role in documented what a devastating the across-region partnership that Doncaster Sheffield Airport is impact the COVID-19 pandemic has will deliver this project”. part of South Yorkshire’s freeport had to date on Gatwick and the local bid, which also includes the A19 economy. As we start to shape our Teesside International Airport is Business Park (owned by UK recovery plans I believe a successful part of a multi-site Teesside bid land and property regeneration freeport bid at Gatwick would help put together by Tees Valley Mayor, company, Harworth Group) and the to ensure a positive future for people, Ben Houchen, which also includes rail freight terminal and logistics place and businesses within Crawley the ports of Middlesbrough and hub, iPort (owned by international and the wider region”. Hartlepool. Houchen says that real estate developer, Verdion) a successful bid could lead to is seeking 18,000 new jobs being created and Robert Hough, Chair of Peel “associated freeport status” to link increase inward investment by over Airports Group, which includes with a regional airport- based site £1.4bn. Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: elsewhere in the UK. “Ports and airports are well known Phil Forster, Interim Managing as hubs for global trade and Nigel Milton, the airport’s Director Director of the airport, said: investment. Freeport status would of Communications, said: “An “This freeport bid is a game- only enhance that. By bringing associated freeport at Heathrow changing opportunity for Teesside together the UK’s first strategic provides an opportunity to International Airport. It covers rail port at iPort and one of the accelerate the recovery and support a host of sites, including ours, to longest runways in the UK with regions around the UK, and boost maximise the benefits across the capacity to grow at Doncaster industries and businesses across whole region and will help us to Sheffield Airport, Peel, Harworth our local communities that have play an even more strategic role in and Verdion have proven track been negatively impacted by the the future of the Tees Valley”. 

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2021 34 UK GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD TO DEVELOP A GLOBALLY RECOGNISED DIGITAL VACCINE CERTIFICATE

says IATA UK chief, Simon McNamara.

ast summer, after months predicts global traffic will increase severe economic consequences of of national lockdown, the by only 13 percent over 2020 if the pandemic are already evident LGovernment’s introduction severe travel restrictions persist, and they have been particularly of travel corridors briefly gave the which would leave demand at only acutely felt by UK aviation. The industry hope for a resurgence. 38 percent of its 2019 level. The reality is that without an upturn In the end, a meaningful recovery industry has been mostly supportive of fortunes in 2021, more jobs will failed to materialise as the policy was of Governments, recognising they be put at risk, the UK’s collapse hampered by fluctuating infection must take whatever steps necessary in global connectivity will be rates, resulting in key travel corridors to keep their citizens safe, but the further entrenched, and British shutting at short notice. Many competitiveness will be damaged at consumers balked at the prospect a time when it is needed most. of quarantine and demand soon Across the globe a evaporated. By autumn, all signs That is why we are calling on the of recovery had stalled and the similar story played UK Government to partner with situation turned dramatically worse out and 2020 saw industry to develop a comprehensive over the year-end holiday season, as roadmap to re-open UK aviation, more severe travel restrictions were the sharpest traffic safeguarding its world class imposed in the face of new outbreaks decline in aviation reputation and ensuring the industry and new strains of COVID-19. Across continues to be a cornerstone of the the globe a similar story played out history, with global UK economy. Even though we do not and 2020 saw the sharpest traffic yet know precisely when restrictions decline in aviation history, with demand (measured will be relaxed, this roadmap cannot global demand (measured in revenue in revenue passenger wait. Aviation is a logistically and passenger kilometres) falling by operationally complex industry 65.9% compared to 2019 levels. kilometres) falling by and it is also highly regulated to 65.9% compared to ensure the highest standards of IATA’s latest forecast for 2021 2019 levels. safety and security. Unlike other

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parts of the economy like retail or hospitality, aviation cannot simply be ‘re-opened’ at short notice. Consequently, planning needs to “We are calling on the UK Government to partner start now if we are to be prepared with industry to develop a comprehensive roadmap when we reach the turning point of the crisis. to re-open UK aviation, safeguarding its world class reputation and ensuring the industry continues to be Working with BAR-UK, we have developed a pathway document a cornerstone of the UK economy”. which sets out a possible way forward. Seeking to avoid the rushed and often compromised evolution of policy last year, the Simon McNamara, journey out of the crisis towards IATA Country a normalised travel experience Manager, UK & provides an opportunity to plan, Ireland. implement and communicate much more effectively.

There are plenty of moving parts in the equation and any strategy to re- open international borders must find ways of managing the relationship between vaccinations and testing. IATA has long supported the introduction of a pre-departure rapid testing regime and so we believe mandatory pre-departure testing should be maintained as the ongoing primary measure. Government should therefore work to phase out post-arrival restrictions.

In parallel, the Government must also carefully consider how a growing number of vaccinated passengers reduces the risk profile of travel. We do not believe vaccinations should be mandatory for travel, but it is reasonable to expect vaccinated passengers be subject to fewer measures with quickly evaluate and support the will be without global standards exemptions from testing and self- digital health wallet applications for vaccines or tests. This puts a isolation requirements. Government being developed by a number of spotlight on the urgency of the should therefore work with industry providers, including the IATA Travel essential work being done by WHO, on an approach to vaccinated Pass. These digital solutions better OECD and ICAO. International passengers, including those enable airlines to verify passengers’ cooperation will be key to the vaccinated in other countries, and testing or vaccination record, and eventual development of global how to record vaccination records give governments access to this standards so that the requirements for travel purposes. A globally information, while safeguarding of one country can be easily followed recognised common digital vaccine personal data privacy. A digital by travellers originating in other certificate will be an essential solution such as the IATA Travel Pass jurisdictions. With the UK hosting element of this approach. can also benefit border processing the G7 this year, here is an early upon arrival, by minimising queues. opportunity for ‘Global Britain’ to Airlines are already working on take a lead.  technology solutions which are Lastly, re-establishing connectivity already being trialled by airlines. can only be done with international Simon McNamara is IATA Country Therefore, we believe that it is cooperation. Governments are Manager, UK & Ireland. beneficial for governments to already seeing how challenging that

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WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 37 HOPES RISE FOR STANSTED EXPANSION AFTER LOCAL COUNCIL SUGGESTS PLANNING PERMISSION COULD BE GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS

Hopes are rising that may secure approval for an extra 8 million passengers a year after the local council indicated it could support the growth plan with appropriate conditions.

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n January last year, Uttlesford Reacting to the Council’s change passenger throughput of 43 million District Council’s Planning of approach, Stop Stansted passengers per year (8 million ICommittee voted to reject the Expansion, said it could not “hide more than the 35 million currently airport’s plan, triggering an appeal its disappointment that Uttlesford permitted). by Stansted’s owner, Manchester District Council officials have now Airports Group, which is currently withdrawn most of their objections In 2018 officers recommended being considered by a public to Group’s that permission should be granted inquiry. expansion plans for Stansted, subject and that was accepted by the then to a few hollow conditions”. Planning Committee. However, The plan continues to be vigorously the 2019 local elections resulted opposed by the Stop Stansted Stansted Airport had sought planning in the previous administration Expansion pressure group, but the permission for two new being replaced by a ‘Residents for Council’s opening statement to links to the existing runway and Uttlesford’ administration and in the inquiry suggests that its focus nine additional aircraft stands at the January 2020 the new Planning is now on securing conditions for airport to accommodate an eventual Committee refused the airport’s planning permission which would mitigate the environmental impact of the airport’s growth plan.

Stansted Airport, for its part, has Stansted Airport had sought planning already committed to planning permission for two new taxiway links to the conditions and a mitigation package which would seek to existing runway and nine additional aircraft minimise the external impact of its operations, including a tightening stands at the airport to accommodate an of its permitted noise contour. eventual passenger throughput of 43 million passengers per year.

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application. The current public Hawkins said that since Manchester that Stansted Airport is a major inquiry (totally virtual, using Zoom) Airports Group had acquired international gateway not only opened on 12 January. A three- Stansted annual passenger numbers for the East of England and North person panel of inspectors is hearing had increased by 10 million, London but for the entire UK. He evidence for and against Stansted’s reaching 28 million passengers told the inquiry that a wide range of proposals. by the end of 2019. Despite the firms had suffered severe adverse immediate challenges presented consequences from the UK’s decline Manchester Airport Group’s Chief by COVID-19, the Group remained in international connectivity during of Staff, Tim Hawkins, who has been committed to securing permission the coronavirus pandemic and closely involved in the development for expansion, which, he said, was “a businesses therefore recognised the of Stansted over many years, told clear statement of our confidence in strategic importance of investment the inquiry that Stansted’s expansion Stansted’s future and the important in increasing capacity at Stansted plan is in line with Government policy role that it will play in supporting during the recovery for their long- supporting the best use of existing economic growth in the long-term”. term competitiveness. capacity. Looking ahead, he said that the Expanding capacity would mean He said that the Government’s 2018 granting of planning permission that the airport would be able to “making best use” policy “recognises would make Stansted “a more increase passenger volumes on the significant benefits that better attractive proposition for airlines” long-haul routes such as the flights utilisation of existing capacity and assist the airport’s targeting already in operation to the UAE would generate for the economy, of new long-haul routes to China, and India, which are of significant consumers and people working in the and North Africa. economic value to the UK. He said the aviation industry, as well as the He noted that existing Stansted that the foundation of an East of importance of good international customers, Ryanair and Emirates had England/China forum suggests that and domestic connectivity the UK’s both written in support of lifting the there is an in-region demand from future”. The Government’s policy passenger numbers cap, but added businesses to establish further long- statement, he suggested, should that lifting the cap would, in addition, haul routes to East Asia, further “naturally carry considerable weight “help foster competition and choice widening access to export markets. in any decision-making process as it will encourage new airlines to concerning airports seeking to make enter the market” Dr Andy Williams, AstraZeneca’s use of their existing capacity”. UK Vice President Strategy, told The inquiry also heard evidence from the inquiry: “We have seen with the Hawkins told the inquiry that a senior a wide range of business supporters pandemic response that the UK life Government official had confirmed of Stansted’s growth plan, including science sector – and in particular that making best use of Stansted’s the CBI, the Essex and Suffolk Cambridge – has played its part existing runway was precisely the Chambers of Commerce, Visit East and demonstrated that we are a type of project that the Government of England and AstraZeneca, the global asset for the UK”. He said had in mind when developing its pharmaceutical company which that the company, which employs policy. There could be no doubt, worked with Oxford University to 3,500 people at its Cambridge he said, that the Government was develop a COVID-19 vaccine. headquarters, is heavily reliant on supportive of Stansted bringing global talent to drive innovation. forward its current proposals for Freddie Hopkinson, the CBI’s He emphasised the importance of local determination. senior transport policy adviser, said its employees being able to travel internationally and said that, with Following a local consultation the proposed new train station exercise the airport had submitted at Cambridge South, adjacent to an application in 2018 which included AstraZeneca’s headquarters, they a tighter limit on the airport’s noise The Stansted would be able to reach Stansted footprint than an earlier proposal Airport in less than 30 minutes. and an enhanced sound insulation Airport Public grant scheme for residential Inquiry is expected The Stansted Airport Public Inquiry properties close to the airport. In is expected to conclude with closing refusing permission, it was clear to conclude with submissions on 9 March and a site that Uttlesford District Council had visit on 10 March. After weighing not attached any real weight to closing submissions all the evidence presented to them, Government policy, which also states the planning inspectors will issue that aviation carbon emissions are a on 9 March and a decision letter containing their matter to be determined nationally, conclusions on the appeal and their not locally. a site visit on reasons for allowing or dismissing 10 March. it.  THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2021 40 NEW DONCASTER SHEFFIELD AIRPORT MANAGING DIRECTOR SAYS HIS AIRPORT IS “SET TO RIDE THE STORM”

The Airport Operator asked Chris Harcombe, recently promoted Managing Director of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, for his perspective on a tumultuous year for aviation and the airport’s plan for recovery:

t the start of 2020, we were Wizz Air. The operator saw a gap in team. looking forward to a record- the market for ultra-low-cost travel in Abreaking year in terms of an under-served region and our easy, I am very proud to be part of the passenger numbers, we had a start friendly, relaxed brand complements dedicated team at Doncaster date for the first phase of our £10m the Wizz aspiration to provide Sheffield Airport since 2006, when I terminal development and were greener, efficient and affordable air joined as Aviation Analyst, advancing adding the final touches to our 15th travel. Wizz also announced 13 new to Aviation Development Director. At anniversary celebrations. Then the routes, and coupled with existing the start of 2021 I became Managing pandemic hit, and these plans were destinations from the airport, Director with responsibility across furloughed along with a number of including 31 with Tui, we now serve the business including financial, our team. Our focus moved from 46 destinations across the world. operational and commercial discretionary travel to repatriation performance. My focus will be to and we saw a major spike in our The impact of Coronavirus strengthen the performance of DSA cargo throughput, well ahead of highlighted the strategic importance as the UK’s best regional airport and forecasts. of the role we have played delivering continue to develop the Cargo and vital PPE to the NHS frontline and general business aviation activity. There is no doubt that 2020 perishable goods and foodstuffs to was a devastating year for the supermarket shelves. If anything, In tandem with this, Kate Stow aviation industry, yet we remained this has added to our resolve and we has expanded her previous role of operational throughout. We have used this time to make some Marketing and Corporate Affairs managed to buck the trend when important changes to the structure director by taking on the role of we became the second UK base for and focus of the senior management Director of Aviation Development

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Chris Harcombe, Doncaster Sheffield Airport Managing Director

can to give customers confidence programme, and customers will offering favourable terms, flexible and Corporate Affairs. We’re also begin to see changes during the year booking options, rigorous COVID- expanding the team to develop the ahead. secure health and safety measures aviation business alongside corporate and discounted ‘Fit to Fly’ PCR test affairs activity. We’ve always been a As well as a deserved refresh to the kits. closely engaged management team terminal building, based largely on here at DSA and Kate and I have customer feedback, we’re expanding The aviation industry cannot do worked together from the early days our retail offering, adding new gate any more, we now need a globally of the airport and our 15-year history bridges and expanding the arrivals accepted and adopted COVID with the airport will stand us in good hall and security search area. We’re strategy for international travel. We stead for the next phase of our also planning to implement self- need the Government to provide growth and development. service bag drops, extra border some clarity so we can offer our control points and arrival gates so customers the assurances they This has been a tough twelve months we can provide an efficient and so desperately need. The aviation for the aviation industry and even as smooth passenger experience for our industry needs sector-specific I’m writing this, further quarantine customers as they pass through the support and it is essential that we get restrictions are coming into play. It’s terminal. a thorough and practical pre-flight been no different here at DSA and testing policy in place, to get the everyone has pulled together to do Conversely, the current situation industry back up and running once what they can. In some cases that provides us with the ideal more. means taking furlough and we have opportunity to carry out the recognised that neither continuing development with minimal disruption Indeed, this has been a tough time to work or taking time off is an to passengers. We’ll be ready for for the aviation industry. However, ideal situation for anyone. I’m still when international travel takes off Doncaster Sheffield Airport has a concerned about the impact that once more and we can welcome back long-term strategic vision set to ride the past twelve months has had on our passengers in style. the storm. It’s a significant economic everyone’s wellbeing and it’s my catalyst in this area of the North sincere wish that we can get back to Last year was undoubtably the most and is playing a vital role in the some level of normality as soon as is challenging year on record for the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda. safely possible. aviation industry and we anticipate Investors have backed the business an 85% drop in passenger number to the tune of £300m investment and That said, there is work to be done in against 2019 full year figures, continue to invest in its future with the present, and we are determined which is very much in line with the £10m terminal development and to bounce back in the best condition the aviation sector. We’re positive land acquisition.  possible. We have worked incredibly about passenger numbers for 2021 hard to create an award-wining easy, as we have already seen an uplift Chris Harcombe is Managing friendly and relaxed service, and we in bookings for Q2, due in no small Director of Doncaster Sheffield are about to begin phase one of a part to immense pent-up demand. Airport. three-phased terminal development Operators have done everything they

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2021 42 From around the sector…

AGS Airports, which owns and in rural areas. laboratories, distribution centres and manages Aberdeen, Glasgow and GP surgeries across Scotland. Southampton Airports, is leading Starting in December last year and a consortium to develop and trial scheduled to run until spring of next Derek Provan, Chief Executive of AGS a distribution network to transport year, the project will involve live Airports, said: “This project has the essential medicines, blood, organs drone trials and will consider public potential to completely revolutionise and other medical supplies safety, security and noise levels. It the way in which healthcare services throughout Scotland. will design pathways to ensure that are delivered in Scotland. Not only the drones can safely share airspace does drone technology have the The consortium, which brings with civil aviation and develop the ability to speed up the delivery of together 14 organisations, including ground infrastructure needed to critical medical supplies, it could the University of Strathclyde and recharge the drones and the systems reduce waiting times for test results NATS, secured £1.5 million from the to control them while flying. and help provide equity of care UK Industrial Strategy Future Flight between urban and remote rural Challenge Fund to demonstrate The first of its kind in the UK, the communities”.  how drones can enhance access to drone delivery network will seek essential medical supplies, especially to connect hospitals, pathology

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London has submitted an application to Luton Council to increase its annual passenger cap from 18 million to 19 million.

The application, which follows a public consultation last year, will not require any physical changes or new construction at the airport and the airport will continue to operate within its existing terminal infrastructure.

Airport CEO, Alberto Martin, said: “Aviation has always played a crucial role in the UK and local economy, through the jobs it supports, the direct economic contribution it makes and its support for international trade. As people start to travel again and the UK’s economic recovery begins, we want the airport to be in the best position to continue to support these things. By submitting this application now, we are preparing the airport for future success and creating reassurance for the thousands of people and businesses who rely on us”.

This month also saw the end of a 15-month consultation on proposed changes to arrival routes for flights into the airport. The consultation, jointly sponsored by the airport and by NATS, was on two options to simplify the routes and separate them from Stansted. Uniquely in the UK, the two airports currently share arrival routes and the same two holds. The proposals, establishing a new hold for Luton, are designed to reduce delays and ensure safety. Both deploy Performance Based Navigation. The airport and NATS expect to submit a formal Airspace Change Proposal to the Civil Aviation Authority in June, with the change Alberto Martin, CEO, likely to be implemented from next London Luton Airport year.

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2021 AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION 3 Birdcage Walk London SW1H 9JJ United Kingdom

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