{"id":97117,"date":"2018-11-01T09:30:43","date_gmt":"2018-11-01T09:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=e87d15b911c0c5a7edd075cc6de8314b"},"modified":"2018-11-01T09:30:43","modified_gmt":"2018-11-01T09:30:43","slug":"speech-airports-are-key-to-britains-future-prosperity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=97117","title":{"rendered":"Speech: Airports are key to Britain\u2019s future prosperity"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Good morning everyone.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a real pleasure to join you again for your annual conference.<\/p>\n

And to start what I\u2019m sure will be a day and a half of stimulating debate.<\/p>\n

When the AOA<\/abbr> was first formed in 1934, the conference\u2019s theme \u2013 the Airport of the Future \u2013 might have been an equally apt topic.<\/p>\n

But a keynote speaker 84 years ago would have needed a vivid imagination to predict the airports of the 21st century.<\/p>\n

Who would have dreamt that Gatwick, a former horse racing track, would become Britain\u2019s second busiest airport?<\/p>\n

Or a couple of farms and a vicarage in leafy Cheshire would be transformed into Manchester Airport \u2013 with flights to every corner of the globe?<\/p>\n

Or that a collection of fields would one day make way for Birmingham Airport \u2013 now the Midlands\u2019 gateway to the world.<\/p>\n

So Britain\u2019s airports have undergone a remarkable change within a single lifespan – transformed from their early roots to the incredibly successful and safe industry represented in this room today.<\/p>\n

Importance of industry<\/h2>\n

An airports industry that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs.<\/p>\n

That every week directly generates \u00a3270 million for the UK economy.<\/p>\n

And that plays a vital role in attracting inward investment to our country by connecting businesses at home and overseas.<\/p>\n

You are the reason why Britain today has the third largest aviation network in the world.<\/p>\n

Why we imported and exported \u00a3170 billion of air freight last year to countries outside the EU.<\/p>\n

Why passenger numbers have surged by 64 million in just 5 years.<\/p>\n

With 284 million people passing through our airports in 2017.<\/p>\n

And recent events have shown that the pace of change in the airport sector is accelerating.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve ended decades of dithering over Heathrow expansion with overwhelming support in Parliament for the National Policy Statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There is massive investment going into airports around the country.<\/p>\n

At Manchester, Luton and Leeds Bradford for example.<\/p>\n

And you\u2019ve rolled out new routes to cities in some of the fastest growing parts of the world \u2013 for instance the Middle East and China.<\/p>\n

Airports are becoming increasingly innovative.<\/p>\n

Finding new and diverse ways to benefit the economies and communities you serve.<\/p>\n

For example hosting business parks, where SMEs can grow with easy connections to markets and suppliers.<\/p>\n

And by providing education and training opportunities to attract more people into aviation careers \u2013 as we\u2019re seeing at Stansted.<\/p>\n

And let\u2019s not forget the smaller airports that maintain essential links for more isolated parts of the country.<\/p>\n

From Newquay in Cornwall to Inverness in the Highlands \u2013 these busy transport hubs help boost their local economies – making them even more vibrant.<\/p>\n

Brexit<\/h2>\n

And it\u2019s absolutely crucial that UK airports continue to thrive after we leave the European Union.<\/p>\n

Of course securing the best possible access to European markets is the ultimate goal of our negotiations.<\/p>\n

And with 164 million passengers travelling between the UK and EU last year \u2013 maintaining current agreements on air transport is clearly in the interests of everyone.<\/p>\n

But as we\u2019ve made clear, it\u2019s just common sense that we also plan for all possible scenarios \u2013 even if they are unlikely.<\/p>\n

The recent aviation technical notices we released set out the pragmatic approach that the UK would take in the event of a \u2018no-deal\u2019 exit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Those actions would help avoid disruption to air services, while supporting businesses and consumers. Not just here in the UK, but across Europe.<\/p>\n

We will also continue to seek new and improved bilateral Air Services Agreements with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n

Aiming, as we always have, to improve connectivity, choice and value for money for businesses and consumers.<\/p>\n

We want to continue participation with the European Aviation Safety Agency<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But whatever the conclusion of negotiations, EU safety rules will be brought into domestic law through the withdrawal act.<\/p>\n

So we look forward to an outcome which not only maintains connectivity, but also allows British aviation to grow and thrive.<\/p>\n

And of course that includes capitalising on new, global opportunities.<\/p>\n

It has never been more important to demonstrate that Britain is open to the world.<\/p>\n

Open to collaboration.<\/p>\n

Open for business.<\/p>\n

And there can be no better way of doing that than through international air connections and our world class aviation industry.<\/p>\n

Aviation strategy and airspace modernisation<\/h2>\n

Projections show that 435 million passengers a year could be passing through our airports by 2050.<\/p>\n

Passengers who are a benefit to Britain.<\/p>\n

Boosting tourism.<\/p>\n

Building business relationships across continents.<\/p>\n

Hundreds of millions of opportunities for Britain to grow.<\/p>\n

But we can\u2019t take future success for granted.<\/p>\n

We need a long-term plan for sustainable growth.<\/p>\n

So that we better manage the impact of airport expansion on local communities.<\/p>\n

So that we improve surface access \u2013 making journeys to airports quicker, easier and greener.<\/p>\n

So that we address the environmental concerns of growth.<\/p>\n

And consider the passenger in everything we do.<\/p>\n

These things won\u2019t happen on their own.<\/p>\n

They can only be achieved by government and industry working in partnership.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s why we are developing our aviation strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A comprehensive, long term vision for the sector up to 2050.<\/p>\n

A vision for enterprise and growth.<\/p>\n

That provides the right framework for the sector to grow responsibly.<\/p>\n

Let me give a couple of examples.<\/p>\n

Just as important as building new infrastructure or making best use of existing runways is how we optimise use of our skies.<\/p>\n

As air traffic grows, modernisation of airspace is an increasingly pressing issue.<\/p>\n

We need to get it right, for the benefit of the industry, passengers, and communities living under flight paths.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve already made good progress on this front with the publication of our airspace change framework last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And as part of the aviation strategy we will be examining whether further policy is needed to support these changes.<\/p>\n

But we need your help and engagement too.<\/p>\n

To help us make best use of airspace.<\/p>\n

And growth cannot take place without considering the environment and local communities.<\/p>\n

Our recent Airports National Policy Statement<\/a> highlights the government\u2019s expectation that expansion will be supported by a strong package of environmental and community mitigations.<\/p>\n

And the forthcoming aviation green paper will set out proposals to enable sustainable growth across the country.<\/p>\n

But to do those things we need you to work with local neighbourhoods, the government and each other to the benefit of every airport across the UK network.<\/p>\n

And ultimately to the benefit of passengers.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what the aviation strategy is all about.<\/p>\n

We have to look at every stage of the passenger journey.<\/p>\n

Analyse key trends, and examine how airports can continue to respond to travellers\u2019 changing needs.<\/p>\n

For while you generally do a great job at innovating to meet new customer demands.<\/p>\n

For instance your investment in new screening technologies that could speed up passengers\u2019 journey through security.<\/p>\n

There is still more to be done to ensure all consumers can travel with confidence.<\/p>\n

Inclusive travel and borders<\/h2>\n

Like providing full accessibility, for instance.<\/p>\n

Last year there were 3 million requests for assistive services in airports \u2013 a leap of two thirds in 6 years.<\/p>\n

And our aging population means demand is likely to further grow.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s already been some excellent progress.<\/p>\n

This year 16 airports, including Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff and Derry, were rated as very good in the CAA\u2019s accessibility review<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Up from just 6 in 2017.<\/p>\n

But there are still distressing stories.<\/p>\n

And the CAA reviews have found that some airports still need to make vital improvements.<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s important we all up our game.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why in July we launched our Inclusive Transport Strategy<\/a> \u2013 to ensure disabled people can travel confidently, easily and at no extra cost.<\/p>\n

And the aviation strategy provides a great opportunity to explore these issues across the airports sector.<\/p>\n

We are considering a range of measures including improved training for airport and airline staff and boosting awareness of assistive services at airports.<\/p>\n

While the CAA has recently released new guidelines on supporting passengers with hidden disabilities.<\/p>\n

In addition it\u2019s vital that we demonstrate that the UK is fully open for business and to the world.<\/p>\n

So we want to limit delays at our borders too.<\/p>\n

As part of the strategy we are working with Border Force<\/a> on ways of creating a smoother crossing for travellers through passport control.<\/p>\n

Without compromising security.<\/p>\n

And I thank the AOA<\/abbr> and the aviation industry for your help so far on this work. Your input has been greatly valued.<\/p>\n

Green paper<\/h2>\n

And I know that many of you have already contributed to the strategy\u2018s development so far.<\/p>\n

But we hope to hear even more from you.<\/p>\n

We will lay out the next steps of its development in a green paper this December (2018).<\/p>\n

To be followed by another consultation period before the final document is published next year.<\/p>\n

So I urge you to participate.<\/p>\n

This will be a great chance to shape the final strategy.<\/p>\n

And an opportunity for us to benefit from your experience and that of your customers.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t predict what will be top of the agenda at the AOA<\/abbr> conference 8 decades from now.<\/p>\n

Or imagine how our airports will look in 2102.<\/p>\n

But I can promise that through the aviation strategy we are looking ahead to the challenges of the coming decades.<\/p>\n

I can tell you that your future in this country is bright.<\/p>\n

And I can guarantee that by working together we will set a course that allows Britain\u2019s airports to continue to flourish.<\/p>\n

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

Chris Grayling highlights the important role airports play in forging international connections – showing Britain is open to the world.<\/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\/97117"}],"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=97117"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97117\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=97117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=97117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=97117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}