UK must rethink aviation policies

AVIATION   IATA   POLICIES

UK - To generate more economic growth and jobs, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is encouraging the UK to make use of the national aviation policy consultation.

The IATA has advised the government to address its high taxes and capacity constraints in the policy development to support the industry's commitments on climate change.

Tony Tyler, IATA's director general and CEO, said that government policies must recognise that aviation plays an important role in connecting the island of Great Britain to the rest of the role, and needs to be nurtured.

"The connectivity provided by aviation enables London to function as a global financial centre, to be a global hub of culture and to host the Olympics," he said in a speech to the UK Aviation Club.

To address capacity issues, the building of a new airport has been proposed, as the UK currently has only one hub airport in Heathrow, London. However, IATA has identified that such a project would bear financial and political challenges ahead, and has suggested the expansion of its current airport.

"The government needs to make Heathrow's expansion a priority in a competitive new UK aviation policy so that the UK can realise the economic benefits of connectivity and continue to punch above its weight globally," Tyler said.

Apart from addressing its capacity constraints issues, the policy must also look to reduce the current level of taxes in the aviation industry. A proposal has been passed to reduce corporate taxes from 28% to 22% by 2014, but Tyler added that the high cost of doing business must also be addressed.

Finally, the IATA has urged the UK to improve its fuel efficiency by 1.5% annually , cap carbon emissions and cut net carbon emissions in half by 2020, as compared to 2005 levels.

"A strong aviation industry is a foundation stone of an economically strong and competitive Great Britain. That needs to be understood from the people on the high street to the Prime Minister in Downing Street," Tyler said.

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