UK air industry faces momentous year ahead
Keywords: Aircraft industry, UK, Policy
The UK aviation industry faces a critically important year ahead, according to the new chairman of the Airport Operators Association. The coming year will not only be crucial in determining the success of airports and airlines in recovering from the devastation caused to air travel by September 11, but also in determining the future direction of UK aviation policy for the next 30 years.
Roger Cato, managing director of London Gatwick Airport, assumes the AOA Chairmanship just six months after the US terrorist attacks which sparked a global downturn in air travel and led to difficult times for many airports and airlines. The signs are, however, that confidence in air travel is beginning to return and all eyes are now on the Government which is reaching the final stages of plans to develop a new aviation policy for the UK. Mr Cato gave his first address as the new chairman of the Airport Operators Association at its Annual Dinner.
In his address, Mr Cato argued that the coming year should see decisions made which will determine the future direction of air travel and that British airports must ensure that their voice is heard in the run up to the anticipated Aviation Policy White Paper later this year.
He stressed the Association's blueprint for the sustainable growth of air travel, a document launched in the House of Commons in January, which sets out five principles to underpin the Government's aviation policy.
Mr Cato comments: "I am delighted to be taking over the Chairmanship of the AOA at such a momentous time for the industry. The last six months have been challenging in the extreme for airports across the country and we are still weathering the storm which began with the tragic events in the United States last September. But I am confident that the continued resilience of British airports will shine through and that full recovery will come over the next year or so.
As an industry we must now focus our attention on securing the right framework for air transport policy looking 30 years hence. We firmly believe that aviation policy must be able to deliver three things: sustainable growth of the industry to support British jobs and trade; a dynamic market providing choice to consumers; and effective measures to protect the environment".
Details available from: Airports Operators Association, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7222 2249, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7976 7405 Website: www.aoa.org
