UK could lose flights without robust air policy, warns CAA
The Civil Aviation Authority has warned the Government that unless it comes up with a robust, passenger-driven aviation policy, flights will become more expensive and there will be less choice.
In its Insight Note Aviation Policy for Consumers published on Wednesday, the CAA said ministers need to put the people who use airports at the heart of its thinking when it consults on its aviation policy next spring.
At present, most people in the UK have excellent access to airports, it said, with around 90% of the population living within two hours' travel of at least two airports with international flights and 70% living within one hour of an airport, but the report went on to say that increasing capacity constraints in the southeast will increasingly limit that choice and the value of available flights.
"Limited supply means the price of air travel is likely to rise," said the report.
The Coalition Government, which is reviewing its aviation policy, has already ruled out a third runway at Heathrow. Instead it is looking at linking Heathrow and Gatwick with a high-speed train, or alternatively building a rail link between Heathrow and RAF Northolt, both of which have been dismissed by airlines as unrealistic.
In the meantime, the CAA said the lack of capacity at Heathrow is already beginning to affect the UK's air service agreements with foreign states and it is preventing airlines from trying out new routes to emerging markets.
The report said it was also important for regional airports to maintain a good network of flights to European hubs to enable those who don't live in the south of England to connect to international flights from the continent. "Although other European airports are competitors for the industry, for consumers they increase choice and value."
CAA director of regulatory policy Iain Osborne said: "We frequently hear that the UK is losing out to Europe in its aviation network and that there is a connectivity crisis in London.
"The data we’ve published shows that there is no crisis today: London is one of the world’s best connected cities and the UK punches well above its weight internationally in its air links.
"However, capacity constraints mean airports may become increasingly specialised in the routes they offer and the airlines that fly them. Government needs to recognise this and ensure that its aviation policy has the consumer interest at its heart.
"This review offers a chance to weigh up what approach to future airport capacity is likely to best serve UK passengers as a whole, rather than only considering what works well for the South East.
"Although currently the UK is extremely well-connected, that situation is changing and will not last without a robust aviation policy setting out clear objectives for the future."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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