Scottish agents outline their aviation demands

Friday, 24 Oct, 2011 0

Scottish travel agents have set out their wishlist for the UK Government over its aviation policy.

The Scottish Passenger Agents Association is urging the Government to reconsider and commission a third runway for London Heathrow Airport as a matter of urgency.

Responding to the Department for Transport’s aviation consultation document ‘Developing a Sustainable Framework for UK Aviation’, the SPAA is also urging the Government to:

– invest in the promotion and development of high speed rail links between Scotland and London, co-ordinated with the promotion and development of a full array of UK domestic air services, to support and strengthen the London hub, and airport-access projects should be supported where possible

– promote and develop new, sustainable point-to-point air services between UK regional airports and European and long haul destinations, based on new-generation, fuel and carbon-efficient small aircraft, should be a priority

– carry out ongoing review and improvement of UK airport services, as a focus for co-ordinated co-operation and action (eg security, adverse weather resilience, passenger experience), and for an early reduction in UK air passenger taxation (Air Passenger Duty).

SPAA president Brian Potter said: “We welcome the Government’s approach and objective – to create a sustainable framework for UK aviation – and we strongly believe that, to be achievable, that approach must be holistic – fully embracing air, rail, environment, technology and taxation issues.

“Short-term fixes will not work. For example, the mooted ‘Heathwick’ project would simply be a sticking plaster, when what is needed is a third runway at Heathrow; and a high speed rail link that terminates in Manchester is an equally inadequate response to the challenge. Any link must go through to Scotland, to be thoroughly effective.’

“Above all, Scotland must be part of a vibrant regional air travel system, contributing fully to an economically and environmentally sustainable UK air transport network that fuels the UK economy, rather than draining it.”

By Bev Fearis

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Bev

Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.

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