TODAY (Wednesday 14 October 2026) in her opening remarks at the AirportsUK Annual Conference: Airports in a Changing World, chair Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith called on government to match its rhetoric around driving economic growth with action on airport business rates.
She said that government must:
“Ensure that we have a tax and regulatory framework that delivers a world-class aviation sector by encouraging and rewarding investment and reducing burdens particularly business rates, which are proving such a break on investment.”
She also said that:
“The conference today provides an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that we have faced, but more importantly, how we move forward so that we can deliver the economic growth the UK needs and the excellent service that passengers expect from us.”
In closing, Baroness McGregor-Smith issued a rallying cry to the sector and government:
“Aviation continues to be one of the UK’s genuine success stories – we remain one of the largest markets in Europe and the world. We have a great opportunity to ensure we consolidate and improve that position.”
The AirportsUK Annual Conference brings together 200 senior leaders from the world of airports, airlines, investors and suppliers, as well as government and opposition ministers, Whitehall and devolved administration officials, media, and renowned commentators.
Speakers this year include the transport secretary, Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, the shadow transport secretary, Rt Hon Richard Holden MP, economist Paul Johnson, Spectator editor Lord Michael Gove and Lords Home Office minister Lord Ray Collins.
Panel sessions will cover key topics of relevant to airports, including investment, adaptation and resilience, connectivity and wider state of the aviation sector, and will feature a mix of senior airport leaders, investors, business groups, national and regional government officials, and commentators.
–ENDS–
