Keeping Britain at the forefront of Aviation
Scott Pendry
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Home page: http://www.airleague.co.uk
Posts by Scott Pendry
CAA Warning – A Welcome Move
1 week ago
by Scott Pendry
in News
As the debate surrounding airport expansion continues, the CAA has recently urged the Government to commit to a long term aviation policy framework that allows expansion. It is a welcome move from the regulator and one that The Air League wholeheartedly supports.
In Aviation Policy for the Future, the CAA warns that without a long term policy, prices would rise, route choice would drop and the UK economy would suffer. Stopping short of advocating specific solutions, the document does, however, make it perfectly clear that one of the most pressing issues is associated with the capacity crunch due to a lack of infrastructure. Indeed, in the accompanying press note, CAA Chief Executive Andrew Haines notes that ‘as we haven’t built a single runway in the south east of England capable of handling Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s for over 70 years, the difficulty of increasing capacity is obvious.’
Whilst he (and the report itself) might be stating the obvious – advocating positions that The Air League and other aviation organisations have championed for years – the CAA’s robust stance adds significant weight to the case for airport expansion in the south east, particularly as the regulator’s advice is strictly independent.
As outlined in his Autumn statement, George Osborne announced that the Government would be considering ‘all the options – with the exception of a third runway at Heathrow – to maintain theUK’s status as a hub for air transport’. The CAA’s interjection into the debate is well timed and underlines the basic fact that only new infrastructure offers a long-term solution to current capacity constraints.
Air League January/February Newsletter
1 month ago
by Scott Pendry
in News
The January/February edition of The Air League Newsletter is now out. In our latest issue we welcome Justine Greening into her new role as Transport Secretary and in our open letter, we point out how hostility to new runways in the South East is threatening London’s hub leadership while European competitors expand to meet the fast growing demand from markets in Asia. This could cost UK plc billions in lost business but it would require considerable political courage to carry out such a “U turn” – and to argue with conviction against the suggestion that ministers had originally acted with undue haste in making such crucial national infrastructure decisions within hours of taking office.
Together with the open letter to the SoS already mentioned, the latest issue features our usual topical commentary and member’s news.
Click here to view the latest newsletter.
A recommendation from Red 9, former Air League scholarship winner Kirsty Stewart
2 months ago
by Scott Pendry
in News
“The Air League flying scholarship that I was awarded was the start of the road for me in my quest to become a fast jet pilot. It was a great opportunity and I’m still in contact with the British Women’s Pilots Association, who funded it. I often get asked at air shows for advice on how to get started in the aviation industry, and I always recommend The Air League.”
Air League November/December Newsletter
2 months ago
by Scott Pendry
in News
The November/December edition of The Air League Newsletter is now out. In our latest issue we welcome Philip Hammond into his new role as Defence Secretary and remind him of the enormous contribution that defence and aerospace makes to the UK economy. We also caution that without the support of the government in the form of supporting UK solutions for UK military requirements, the potential for future exports will be severely diminished.
The newsletter also provides an overview of Air Marshal Andy Pulford’s address to The Air League which focussed on the future outlook for the RAF and our newsletter editor, Richard Gardner, speaks to Minister for International Security Strategy, Gerald Howarth, following September’s DSEi exhibition which proved to be the largest ever defence and security exhibition of its kind to be held in the UK.
Together with the articles mentioned, the latest issue features our usual topical commentary and member’s news.
Click here to view the latest newsletter.
Last Chance Saloon for UK Aviation
3 months ago
by Scott Pendry
in News
The Air League has responded to the Department for Transport’s consultation on the future of UK aviation policy. The scoping document, entitled ‘Developing a sustainable framework for UK aviation’ will form the basis of a draft aviation policy for UK Air transport. The draft framework will then be published, initiating a further consultation exercise in March 2012.
With the main aim of a new policy framework to develop a long-term, high-level framework for aviation, The Air League has drafted a considered and comprehensive response paying particular attention to long term implications. Led by Laurie Price and with input from all members of the Air League Council, the consultation response can be found by clicking here.
Commenting on the submission, Laurie Price, Air League Council Member, said:
“Our concern is that the Government really is at the last chance saloon on Air Transport Policy. If we don’t set out a clear statement of how we are going to cope with growth (ignoring the spurious better not bigger mantra), then UK PLC will be left wanting whilst all our European and increasingly Middle East competitors forge ahead at our expense and with no benefit to the environment or climate change.”
Director of the Air League, Andrew Brookes, added:
“The UK aviation industry can only take so many knocks before the damage is permanent.At that stage, the people who will benefit most will not be the green community but rather our international competitors. It is extremely concerning that any new aviation policy is not expected to be announced until 2013 and yet at the same time the UK’s international competitors are forging ahead with development and expansion projects.”
Following the next consultation exercise in spring 2012, the Government intend to formally adopt a new policy for UK aviation by March 2013.
Click here to read the full Air League response.
