Airport Operators Association Media Release
For immediate release - 2 March 2010
NEXT GOVERNMENT MUST SUPPORT UK AIRPORTS
- “We cannot afford a policy vacuum”, says AOA chairman. “The next Government must move fast to set out its new vision.”
- Airports call for a positive approach to aviation which recognises its economic and social value, and manages its environmental impacts.
Speaking later today at the AOA’s annual dinner, Chairman Ed Anderson will call on the major political parties to take decisions on aviation policy in the national interest: “The next 18 months will be immensely important for UK aviation. We all of us have a stake in getting the big decisions right.”
“This recession has been painful for the whole economy. We desperately need levers to boost recovery. Aviation makes a massive contribution to our economy and politicians should do everything possible to ensure that aviation can be one of those economic levers.
“UK aviation can play its full part in getting us out of recession, and still meet the environmental challenge. The Committee on Climate Change report in December demonstrated clearly that the reduction of emissions from aviation to 2005 levels by 2050 is compatible with sustainable growth at UK airports.
“We need an aviation policy that supports sensible and sustainable growth, an international deal on aviation emissions, and does not punish travellers with punitive UK-only taxes like Air Passenger Duty. This November’s expected increase in APD will leave the UK economy over £1 billion a year poorer, and endanger 25,000 jobs.
“The benefits of flying are too easily taken for granted. We believe that aviation is good for society and the economy. Sustainable growth is possible within environmental limitations. This growth will provide further benefits to the economy through increasing productivity and competitiveness; creating more jobs and wealth; and thereby enhancing quality of life.
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Notes to Editors:
- The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is the trade association that represents the interests of British airports. Our membership comprises 72 airport companies, representing all of the nation's international hub and major regional airports in addition to many serving community, business and general aviation.
- Oxera Consulting Ltd. was commissioned by the Airport Operators Association to carry out the first overall assessment of the role of the aviation sector in the UK economy since the Oxford Economic Forecasting (OEF) report of 2006. The report quantifies the industry’s economic footprint, addresses the question of whether it pays its fair share of taxation, and examines the wider impacts of a range of scenarios on the UK economy.
- The study found that the aviation sector represents 1.5% of the UK economy, contributing £18.4bn towards UK GDP and providing jobs for 234,000 people. Aviation’s capacity to create wealth has grown by 8.3%, in real terms, since 1995.
- The economic impact of demand control measures, referred to in the release, was calculated as part of Oxera’s work. The full report is available online at: What is the contribution of aviation to the UK economy?
- The AOA annual dinner is taking place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on 2 March 2010. 6. For further information, and for media requests, please contact David Bishop (Head of Policy) on 07917 681940.