ABTA issues warning over Government's aviation policy review

ABTA has warned that the Government’s new aviation policy will not stop the UK slipping down the international competitiveness chart for aviation.

It said the policy review, announced this week, does not address airport capacity at the UK’s busiest airports, which it belives is “one of the most important issues concerning the industry and the travelling public”.

ABTA head of public affairs Luke Pollard said: “I welcome the Government’s challenge to engage in a serious debate about the future of aviation, and the environmental impact of flying, but any serious debate can’t ignore the impacts of a shortage of capacity in the UK’s airports in the South East.

“The Government’s decision to remove airport capacity from discussion is like issuing a rail policy without considering train tracks.

“Overcrowding is immediate, real and pressing given that the UK is hoping to welcome tens of thousands of extra overseas visitors in 2012 and hopes to use the travel and tourism industry to grow the UK economy in the long term.”

By Bev Fearis

Friday, April 1, 2011

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