A report tabled before the House of Commons indicated that a new runway is necessary in London area to serve UK’s regions. The regional and business airports told the MPs that the landing and take-off slots need to be reserved at the correct times as well as cheaper prices for flights that serve the region.
The committee also said that the costs of Air Passenger Duty and compliance with UK’s regulatory requirements were responsible for the damage to the UK’s regional aviation. This considered the evidence tabled by the aviation industry on the need for regional aviation and its contribution to infrastructure and economic development in the region. John Spooner, the RABA chairman, indicated that regional airports played a vital role in improving the regional economy by creating jobs and also supporting key aviation activities.
Due to regulatory and fiscal regimes, there have been increased costs which a number of small airlines fail to adopt. As a result, there has been closure of such airlines as Blackpool, Plymouth, and Manston.
The committee was requested to assist in securing access from the regions to London airports. They were also asked to allow excess areas of land within the regional airports sites that is not needed for the airport purposes to be developed in future for other employment purposes.
Spooner said that it was encouraging for the committee to recognise the implication of the regional airports. He said that the questions raised showed that they recognised the challenges faced by the regional airports and he was glad they were willing to help. He said that UK’s smaller regions need to be connected to the capital for further development.
He also said that there is need to focus on activities such as helicopter search and rescue as well as oil and gas field support services, since such activities
