Responding to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling’s statement regarding the Airports National Policy Statement’s new expected timetable, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association (AOA) Karen Dee said:
“The UK needs to compete in both established and emerging markets. Additional capacity in the South East of England is needed to help the country deliver, sustainably, the connectivity it requires in the future. While the election has understandably caused some delay to the final Airports National Policy Statement, we urge Parliament and Government to move ahead urgently on this to ensure the UK gets the additional capacity it so vitally needs as soon as possible.
“At the same time, the UK requires excellent aviation connectivity right across the country, both vibrant point-to-point airports and world-class hub capacity. The Government has said it intends to publish a new Aviation Strategy. The AOA believes this should equally be a priority of Government. This Aviation Strategy should set how the UK will make best use of existing capacity at all UK airports.
“In particular, this should look at investment in improving surface access to airports, airspace modernisation and a planning system with a presumption in favour of sustainable development. It should also include a clear framework for growth for all airports, in light of the fact that airports across the UK will be filling up from 2020, according to Department for Transport forecasts.”
