Wednesday 22 July 2020
Dear AOA Member,
Today the AOA kept up its lobbying and media campaign with our press release highlighting an analysis of member airports and how they are set to lose at least £4 billion in revenue by the end of 2020 as a result of COVID-19. The AOA and the CEO’s of the UK’s airports have written to the Prime Minister calling for urgent action on business rates relief, employment support, funding the CAA and a suspension of APD for at least 6 months. The story has been highlighted through the Press Association and the Telegraph and I spoke on LBC News and Good Morning Britain this morning to outline our case. AOA will continue to raise the voice of the sector at every opportunity to make sure its needs are at the forefront of Government thinking.
The first Jet Zero Council meeting took place today with the Prime Minister attending alongside the Transport and Business Secretaries. Government, business and investors have come together to decarbonise the aviation industry and make net-zero emissions for future flights possible. The meeting formed part of the Government’s wider announcement of a £350 million Green Recovery fund to help cut emissions in heavy industry and drive the economic recovery. AOA will continue to work through Sustainable Aviation and with its members to highlight the good progress made in the aviation sector and where further Government intervention could have the greatest impact. AOA will be feeding in, on behalf of its members, to the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and the efforts to establish a UK Carbon Pricing system.
Other items of note:
- The Airport Research Center, in coordination with EASA, have released a report into the impact of COVID-19 on airport terminal operations and turnaround. The study was conducted with the help of ACI EUROPE, IATA, Heathrow, ADP, Stockholm Arlanda and Stuttgart Airports. It shows how health measures and distancing requirements have affected passenger throughput at various checkpoints and highlights potential areas which could be optimised.
- I received a response to an AOA letter to the Northern Ireland Executive, urging them to follow England in revoking the quarantine measures for those countries assessed by the Joint Biosecurity Centre. The response outlines that the policy in Northern Ireland is now consistent with England and is reviewed on a weekly basis.
- AOA attended the Communications sub-group of the Department for Transport’s Expert Steering Group. The meeting discussed the upcoming change to mandatory face coverings for UK airports, the Jet Zero Council and continuing issues with compliance rates for Passenger locator forms.
Best wishes,
Karen Dee
Chief Executive
