While the UK government was recently blasted by the aviation sector for its policy on raising air passenger duty (APD), AOA chief executive Darren Caplan’s initial response to its latest aviation policy document was upbeat. Caplan welcomed “a clear recognition by the Secretary of State that aviation needs to grow to deliver the benefits essential to our economic well-being and to safeguard our long-term economic prosperity”. But he added that the AOA would study the APF’s contents carefully before providing a detailed response.
A summary of responses to a draft framework published in July 2012 on balancing the benefits of aviation with costs, especially in climate change and noise, reveals how the APF now gives greater emphasis to aviation’s contribution to the UK. A chapter on the benefits of aviation is “fuller and more assertive than the consultative draft version”, reads the summary, also published today. “This reflects both evidence received from the consultation and the Government’s renewed focus on growth.”
Responses have also added detail on the value of connectivity and the UK aerospace and freight sectors, according to the summary of responses. “Some respondents were sceptical of the extent of the economic benefits of aviation,” the document continues. “On the balance of evidence, however, it was considered that there is a strong case for the argument that aviation brings direct and indirect economic benefits, both at the local and national level.”
The APF also found broad support for extending fifth freedom rights to Gatwick, Stansted and Luton and for offering bilateral partners unilateral open access to UK airports outside the South East.
Source: Routes News
