{"id":78335,"date":"2017-01-25T20:45:00","date_gmt":"2017-01-25T20:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=27b423133234954866e4d725ed3b4d73"},"modified":"2017-01-25T20:45:00","modified_gmt":"2017-01-25T20:45:00","slug":"speech-modernising-the-uks-airspace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=78335","title":{"rendered":"Speech: Modernising the UK\u2019s airspace"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Good evening.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a pleasure to join you for tonight\u2019s dinner.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a welcome opportunity for me to talk a little about the progress we\u2019ve made on aviation during my first 6 months as Transport Secretary.<\/p>\n

As many of you will know, this is a job that I\u2019ve always wanted to do.<\/p>\n

In my first 6 months I\u2019ve already had the pleasure of meeting many people in this room, in what\u2019s been a very exciting time for aviation.<\/p>\n

One of my first acts as Secretary of State was to make a long awaited big decision: giving London City Airport the opportunity to expand<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And this is a government prepared to make other big decisions \u2013 including the location on aviation expansion in the south-east, recommending a third runway at Heathrow<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More on that later.<\/p>\n

Brexit<\/h2>\n

Because I\u2019d like to start by saying a few words about Brexit.<\/p>\n

I understand that you are keen to hear exactly what Brexit will entail for the airline industry.<\/p>\n

My priority right now is to secure the right deal for airlines following negotiations with the rest of the EU<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

At the same time, I will be working alongside the Prime Minister and my colleagues in the Cabinet to provide as much clarity as possible, as early as possible.<\/p>\n

It was in that spirit that Theresa May used her speech last week<\/a> to make clear our intention to have an open trading relationship with the EU<\/abbr> when we leave.<\/p>\n

We will be pushing for a new, comprehensive, free trade agreement, giving us the best possible access to the single market.<\/p>\n

We also want the best possible access to European aviation markets.<\/p>\n

We believe it is in the EU<\/abbr>\u2019s interests to seek a liberal arrangement for aviation.<\/p>\n

So that airlines can offer connectivity.<\/p>\n

And passengers have choice.<\/p>\n

Of course, the ultimate outcome for airlines \u2013 as for all areas of the economy \u2013 will have to await the conclusion of negotiations.<\/p>\n

Yet as discussions with the EU<\/abbr> proceed, I am confident that we will get what we need.<\/p>\n

The fact remains that other countries want to do business with us.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why among the major developed nations we have the world\u2019s best performing economy.<\/p>\n

And those nations want to do business with British airlines too.<\/p>\n

Far from the gloomy forecasts that some economic commentators made in the summer, Britain ended last year as the strongest of the world\u2019s advanced economies.<\/p>\n

Growth didn\u2019t just remain steady in the 6 months after the Brexit vote.<\/p>\n

It accelerated.<\/p>\n

Business activity hit a 17 month high in December.<\/p>\n

Showing that confidence in our economy remains undiminished.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because the June vote wasn\u2019t just a vote to leave the European Union.<\/p>\n

It was also a positive expression of our desire as a country to raise our ambitions and look beyond the EU<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

To strengthen our position as a global country.<\/p>\n

With the global connections and gateways to make that possible.<\/p>\n

And that is why we will also look to replace or amend our EU<\/abbr> agreements with countries such as the US<\/abbr> and Canada.<\/p>\n

Aviation industry strength<\/h2>\n

In this all, the starting position of the aviation industry is one of great strength.<\/p>\n

We already have the largest aviation network in Europe.<\/p>\n

Direct services to over 370 destinations abroad.<\/p>\n

Last year, BA<\/abbr> added new routes to San Jose, Lima, Costa Rica, Santiago and Tehran.<\/p>\n

Tui added new routes to Colombo in Sri Lanka, and Keflavik in Iceland.<\/p>\n

And demand for flights continues to grow.<\/p>\n

2015 was a record years for passengers.<\/p>\n

And though we\u2019re awaiting the final figures, the signs are that 2016 will break that record once more.<\/p>\n

These passengers rely on an airline industry that is so often an exemplar of customer service.<\/p>\n

Especially in the face of global events outside our control.<\/p>\n

Last week the Foreign Office issued an alert about developments in the Gambia.<\/p>\n

Within 72 hours, Thomas Cook had repatriated thousands of British holiday-makers \u2013 acting rapidly to do whatever was necessary to secure their safe return home.<\/p>\n

With customer service like that, it\u2019s no surprise that the aviation industry is confident about the future.<\/p>\n

Over the next 20 years, the industry estimates a doubling of the world\u2019s aircraft fleet.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s another 33,000 aircraft \u2013 quieter, cleaner, more efficient aircraft that can actually deliver a fall in carbon emissions.<\/p>\n

In the summer, Virgin Atlantic made an early contribution toward that global fleet of new aircraft.<\/p>\n

With a multi-billion pound order for 12 Airbus A350-1000 planes, powered by cleaner, quieter Rolls Royce engines.<\/p>\n

And as the world increasingly embraces aviation in the coming decades, in return, aviation will increasingly drive the globalisation of trade and commerce.<\/p>\n

Few other industries can predict future demand with such certainty.<\/p>\n

So what we have to do \u2013 together \u2013 is make sure our aviation industry is ready to play its part in that growth.<\/p>\n

A modern industry with 21st century systems and technologies.<\/p>\n

An industry with the capacity to grow in a sustainable and responsible way.<\/p>\n

An industry that provides British business with a foothold in emerging markets \u2013 as well as maintaining links to established markets.<\/p>\n

These are our challenges for the future.<\/p>\n

So we can prosper in a post-Brexit world.<\/p>\n

Heathrow<\/h2>\n

That\u2019s why in October we gave our backing to a third runway at Heathrow<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It shows that we are open for business, confident about who we are as a country, and ready to trade with the rest of the globe.<\/p>\n

An expanded Heathrow will make possible an extra 260,000 aircraft movements a year.<\/p>\n

Or 16 million additional long-haul seats by 2040.<\/p>\n

And it will allow us to compete against European hubs such as Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt.<\/p>\n

So we want to get the runway built as fast as possible.<\/p>\n

And it will be subject to public consultation very soon.<\/p>\n

We expect the national policy statement to pass through Parliament and be designated next winter.<\/p>\n

Of course, the third runway at Heathrow is not just great news for Heathrow, but also for the rest of UK<\/abbr> aviation.<\/p>\n

Which is why most regional airports and airlines supported the decision.<\/p>\n

But we\u2019ve said that the runway must be delivered without hitting passengers in the pocket.<\/p>\n

The Airports Commission is clear that this is achievable, as is the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA<\/abbr>).<\/p>\n

We\u2019re not interested in expansion at any cost, but expansion at the right price.<\/p>\n

So I expect the industry to work together to drive down costs for the benefit of passengers.<\/p>\n

And the CAA<\/abbr> is ready to ensure that new capacity fosters competition, keeping landing charges close to current levels.<\/p>\n

I have full confidence in their ability to do so.<\/p>\n

And at the same time, I expect the industry to commit to a world-class package of environmental and community mitigation measures for those living near the airport.<\/p>\n

After all, a third runway will be an investment in our country\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

It will deliver major economic and strategic benefits to the UK<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

New aviation strategy<\/h2>\n

Yet we\u2019re not going to focus on a third runway at the expense of all the other challenges and opportunities facing the industry.<\/p>\n

We are currently working on our new aviation strategy.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a long-term framework covering airports, safety, security, competitiveness, consumers, regulation and capacity.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re focusing on issues where government can make a difference.<\/p>\n

Where we can support the industry.<\/p>\n

And we\u2019ll stay clear of issues where we can\u2019t.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s part of our plan to build on the momentum of the Heathrow decision – so the whole of Britain can benefit from new aviation capacity.<\/p>\n

Airspace<\/h2>\n

And as the industry grows in the years ahead, we must make the best use of the assets available to us.<\/p>\n

As airlines often point out, our airspace is one such asset: a critical piece of national infrastructure.<\/p>\n

But like much of the rest of our infrastructure, it is increasingly congested and modernisation is overdue.<\/p>\n

While modern aircraft are fitted with the latest satellite navigation technology, most of our airspace arrangements are half a century old.<\/p>\n

I know how frustrated you and your passengers are by the delays this causes.<\/p>\n

And I recognise the damage it does to your businesses.<\/p>\n

Without action, flight delays will increase enormously in the next few years.<\/p>\n

This wouldn\u2019t just be damaging for passengers, but also for the economy and the environment.<\/p>\n

That is why I am determined to address this challenge.<\/p>\n

We will shortly be launching a consultation on measures to support airspace modernisation.<\/p>\n

These measures will provide for the use of modern technology.<\/p>\n

To reduce delays, cut noise for local communities, and lower carbon emissions.<\/p>\n

And speaking of carbon, last week I was pleased to see the release of your strategy, Responding to the Carbon challenge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an important statement of all the industry is doing on carbon reduction.<\/p>\n

And an indicator of the complex challenges created by the pace of change.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

So together we have a lot of work to do.<\/p>\n

Yes, we\u2019re facing a time of adjustment and challenge.<\/p>\n

But we\u2019re also facing a time of extraordinary potential for this industry.<\/p>\n

A chance for aviation to help make Brexit the success I know it will be, delivering the services and connections that will define our future outside the European Union.<\/p>\n

I look forward to working with you to make that happen.<\/p>\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Changing how we use our airspace will benefit passengers, our environment and our economy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78335"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=78335"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78343,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78335\/revisions\/78343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=78335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=78335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=78335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}