Robert Sinclair's plan - LONDON CITY AIRPORT - The Airport Operators Association
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THE AIRPORT
OPERATOR
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
LONDON CITY
AIRPORT
Robert Sinclair’s plan
Features
DISRUPTIVE PASSENGERS BREXIT
UK airports act An AOA guide
MANCHESTER AIRPORT HEATHROW EXPANSION
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ED ANDERSON
Introduction to the Airport Operator
THE AIRPORT
OPERATOR A very The principles may be clear, but the
devil is in the detail and it is all quite
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
warm complicated, but we are here to help.
So, in this issue you will find a handy
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION welcome to guide to Brexit and UK aviation by
Ed Anderson
Chairman
the spring the AOA’s in-house expert, Henk van
Klaveren. Henk seeks to answer all the
Karen Dee edition questions that you have on the subject
Chief Executive
Peter O’Broin
of The but were afraid to ask.
The next few months will be crucial for
Policy Manager Airport the development of the Government’s
Henk van Klaveren
Public Affairs & PR Manager Operator, Aviation Strategy, with a series of
consultations, beginning with one this
Roger Koukkoullis
Operations, Safety
published summer on the consumer journey,
safety and security, followed by an
& Commercial Director to coincide with our 2018 autumn consultation on sustainability
Claire Humphries
Events & Member Annual Dinner at London’s issues, including noise, and a
consultation early next year on trade
Relations Manager
Patricia Page
Grosvenor House Hotel. and market access.
Executive Assistant We are delighted to have so many We look forward to hearing more
& Office Manager distinguished guests from across the about emerging Government thinking
Avni Patel aviation sector at what is the largest during the early summer and we
Accounts Executive networking dinner in the aviation will be responding in detail to each
Jeff Bevan calendar and especially pleased of the consultations to ensure that
Policy & Public Affairs Officer to have secured the new Aviation the Strategy is based on a detailed
Minister, Baroness Sugg, as our understanding of the challenges and
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION keynote speaker. opportunities facing UK airports.
3 Birdcage Walk,
London SW1H 9JJ She joins us at a time when One of the points that we will certainly
United Kingdom Government policy has rarely been so be emphasising is that the Strategy
important for the continuing success needs to take proper account of
T: +44 (0)20 7799 3171 of UK airports, with two big issues perspectives reflecting the whole
E: info@aoa.org.uk dominating her and our agenda: Brexit range of our airports, from the largest
F: +44 (0)20 7340 0999 to the smallest, from passenger
and the Government’s consultation on
W: www.aoa.org.uk
a new Aviation Strategy. to freight and including General
Aviation. It is a point that is underlined
On Brexit we have been liaising closely
Michael Burrell elsewhere in this issue by one of
Editor with the Department for Transport
our Board members, Andrew Bell,
where there is a clear understanding Chief Executive of Regional and City
of the important issues at stake, Airports, who stresses the vital role
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR both in terms of traffic rights and air that smaller airports play in our overall
MAGAZINE IS PRODUCED BY services agreements and aviation aviation eco-system.
safety, where the key issue is whether
and how the UK could continue At the other end of the airport scale,
to participate in the work of the you can read the inside story on the
Shimon Speigel
Creative Director European Aviation Safety Agency. consultation exercise on expanding
Heathrow.
Jessica Horton Our approach to the subject is to
Graphic Designer Elsewhere in this issue you will find
urge both sides of the negotiations to
GENIUM have at the front of their mind not the articles about recent developments
Studio 27 at some of our world-leading airport
Quadrant Business Centre interests of airlines or airports, but of
our customers, the passengers. It is by suppliers. I hope that you will find
135 Salusbury Road
London NW6 6RJ continuing to put their interests first, much that is of interest to you and I
as the EU and the UK together have look forward to seeing many you at
T: +44 (0)20 7089 2622 our 2018 Annual Dinner.
E: hello@geniumcreative.com done so successfully in the past, that
W: www.geniumcreative.com we will secure the right outcomes. Ed Anderson, AOA Chairman
4
THE AOA IS PLEASED TO WORK
WITH ITS CORPORATE PARTNERS, AND
GOLD AND SILVER MEMBERS
Corporate Partners
Gold Members
Silver Members
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5
A GROWING LONDON
AIRPORT FOR THE 21ST
CENTURY
Robert Sinclair may only have been in post as CEO at
London City Airport for four months, but he is already
planning “a bolder, more ambitious vision” to take the
airport to the next level
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018
6
H
is precise and measured which will be operational from 2019. With an additional runway at
language during an interview State-of-the-art cameras on a newly Heathrow still several years’ away,
at London City’s Aviation constructed tower will deliver live London City’s expansion will bring
House fails to disguise his excitement views of the airfield via super-fast new capacity into the London
at the “scale of the opportunity” secure fibre connections to a new market at a crucial time. Initially the
presented by the airport’s £480 NATS control room in Swanwick, focus will be on adding connectivity
million four-year investment plan. Hampshire. to key European destinations, but in
the longer term the airport expects
Work has already started on the It is 30 years since London City’s to target new destinations on the
development programme – “the first full year of operation, when US East Coast, in the Middle East
largest development ever in the total passenger numbers were just and Russia. For now, thanks to KLM,
history of the airport”. Crucially it 133,000. Today 11 airlines carry Amsterdam is London City’s single
will include a new parallel taxiway, as four and a half million passengers busiest route, closely followed by
well as new aircraft stands, that will a year to 45 destinations, with Edinburgh, Dublin, Zurich, Milan
enable the airport to increase flight Sinclair anticipating numbers rising and Frankfurt.
frequency and open the possibility above five million by 2020 and the
of longer-range destinations using development programme enabling That destination mix reflects the
quieter, more fuel-efficient next the airport to accommodate six and close connection between the
generation aircraft. Extensions to a half million passengers. airport’s success and the health of
the airport terminal will add space
(including for possible new Border
arrangements post-Brexit) and “Airport CEOs are largely figureheads. They may
be the public profile of an airport, but an airport’s
create world-class terminal facilities,
but without compromising London
City’s prized speedy check-in and
arrival – which Sinclair characterises success is very much delivered by all of the staff
as “a core part of our USP”.
and business partners coming together as one team
In parallel, work will proceed on the
installation of a digital air traffic
to provide a seamless service for the passenger”
control tower, the first in the UK,
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
7
the UK’s financial services market, Duty, which he describes as “a major on leisure traffic. Asked for his
particularly those parts of it based brake on connectivity for both the first impressions of London City,
in Canary Wharf, just ten minutes leisure and business market”. he says: “You study airports for
from the airport, and the City of their differences and London City
London, with Bank station only His mention of the leisure market is more different than most. The
22 minutes from the airport on reflects recent developments scale of the opportunity here to
the Docklands Light Railway. The which are beginning to transform bring new capacity into the London
metaphor that Sinclair uses is that the passenger mix at London City. market is immense, even though
“our very close proximity to the Taking the whole of 2017, about we face some constraints because
financial services market means that 48% of passengers were leisure of the position of our runway
if it sneezes we will catch a cold, passengers, but in the third quarter, (between the Royal Albert and
although on the other hand the for the first time in the airport’s King George docks) and our built-
establishment of new offices in the history, there were more leisure up neighbourhood, which imposes
key financial centres in Europe could than business passengers. Sinclair operational and noise restrictions”.
well deliver a major boost for our attributes this growth in both
business traffic”. outbound and inbound leisure traffic Airport operations are limited on
to a combination of growth in the weekdays to between 06.30 a.m.
Not surprisingly, in that context, route network and the increasing and 10 p.m. and at weekends the
Sinclair is keeping a very close take-up by key airlines of off-peak airport is closed between lunch-
eye on the progress of the Brexit slots for leisure destinations. time on Saturday and lunch-time
negotiations and especially on on Sunday. Although this can have
the possible implications for He joined London City Airport from
financial services. It is against that Bristol, which, like many regional
background that he continues airports, has a higher dependence
to campaign to persuade the
Government to cut Air Passenger
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018
8
the effect of limiting the operations they stand for”) but is also conscious from central London to less than
of some airlines and current that “airport CEOs are largely half an hour – 17 minutes from
destinations, Sinclair is confident figureheads. They may be the public Paddington to Canary Wharf and a
that growth can be achieved thanks profile of an airport, but an airport’s further 10 minutes to London City.
in part to a new generation of success is very much delivered by Frustratingly, even though the new
quieter aircraft. all of the staff and business partners line passes close to the airport,
coming together as one team to there will initially be no stop at the
Another first impression that provide a seamless service for the airport. Instead passengers will
Sinclair is keen to mention is the passenger”. have to transfer at Customs House
depth and breadth of the airport’s or at Woolwich, which are both five
connections to its local authority, Looking ahead, he picks out two minutes’ away. Sinclair says that
the London Borough of Newham, possible changes which could securing an Elizabeth Line station at
and to the local community. The benefit the airport and be welcomed the airport is “on our to-do list” and
airport is the Borough’s largest by passengers. The first is the the airport is currently carrying out a
private sector employer and, of the opportunity that Brexit presents to feasibility study. He seems optimistic
2,000 employees working at the reintroduce duty-free sales for intra- that success will eventually be
airport, almost two thirds live in East European travel, suggesting that “it achieved, while acknowledging that
London. would make perfect sense for duty- this will be several years’ away.
free to be offered for flights from the
He also emphasises how grateful he UK to the EU27” and that this would Concluding the interview, Sinclair re-
is for what he has inherited from his represent “a significant opportunity emphasises how much he is looking
predecessor as CEO, Declan Collier, for the airport and its customers”. forward to helping to achieve the
who secured planning permission transformation of London City to
for the airport’s development and The second is around further “a truly 21st century airport that
recruited and retained the high- improvements to the airport’s serves the best city in the world”.
quality team that will execute the surface access, crucial for London To the suggestion that it sounds like
development programme. Sinclair City, where 70% of passengers a lot of fun, he settles instead for
says that he has his own style (“I already arrive by public transport. “exciting”, as the best description of
consider myself as a Jack-of-all- Plans are in place to improve how he feels right now about his new
trades and master of none, with a Docklands Light Railway capacity role as CEO of the closest airport
great deal of interest in all of the over the next three to four years to central London with the greatest
aspects of an airport and I am a and the opening of the Elizabeth opportunity for rapid growth.
big believer in the importance of Line (otherwise known as Crossrail)
building great teams and airports in December will cut journey times
having a really clear vision of what
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
9
AIRPORTS ACT TO
DEAL WITH DISRUPTIVE
PASSENGERS
Evidence is emerging that action by UK airports to deal with
disruptive passengers is starting to have a positive effect.
T “A crucial element in implementing the code of
he most recent data from the
Civil Aviation Authority indicates
that, while passenger numbers
at UK airports rose by 6% in 2017, practice is the education, training and support of
the number of disruptive incidents
remained stable. In 2016 there were
all staff who interact with passengers. Conflict
just over 400 incidents nationally
across 268 million passengers.
management training helps staff to identify, pre-
Airports reporting and sharing
empt, de-escalate and manage any disruptive
success credit pro-active campaigns,
a team approach (involving airlines,
passenger behaviour they may encounter.”
retailers, caterers and police) and
early reporting of incidents. Examples of good practice include Code to all retail partners, with duty
intelligence-led and high visibility free staff being required to remind
Gatwick Airport, for example, says patrols to enable early intervention, passengers that the alcohol they
that its evolving proactive campaign, with staff across the airport buy is for export only and cannot
Operation Disrupt, has led to a sharp encouraged to report the details of be consumed either at the airport
increase in the early reporting of any potential incident to a central or on board an aircraft. Airport
incidents from front line staff which control room. As a result, information concessionaires are required to
has enabled preventative action including passenger description and report any behaviour that may be
to be taken. The results have been flight details can be easily shared cause for concern immediately.
a decrease in reported on-board with staff across the airport. Airport World Duty Free are using stickers
incidents of disruptive passengers staff and police patrol the drop-off to seal the bags of passengers on
and a safer working environment area and visit boarding gates ahead high risk flights. For some routes
for both staff and passengers, with of potentially problematic flights. boarding cards of those passengers
incidents of disorderly or drunken buying alcohol are stamped to allow
behaviour equating to just 0.0003% A crucial element in implementing the checking of the purchase at the
of total passenger numbers. the code of practice is the gate so it can be placed into the
education, training and support aircraft hold.
The pace, scale and effectiveness of all staff who interact with
of activity to deal with the problem passengers. Conflict management All of this is backed up with
has increased considerably since training helps staff to identify, pre- programmes to educate and
the publication in 2016 of the UK empt, de-escalate and manage any communicate with passengers what
Aviation Industry Code of Practice on disruptive passenger behaviour disruptive behaviour is and why it is
Disruptive Passengers. Airport staff they may encounter. Senior staff unacceptable. Clear messaging on the
across the country are working every members work on shifts before consequences of disruptive behaviour
day with food and beverage operators, higher risk flights. are displayed across airports, from
duty free operators, handling agents, bars and restaurants to forecourts
airlines and the police, with problem On the sale and consumption of and gate rooms – helping to ensure
passengers tracked from the terminal alcohol, airports are communicating a safe and enjoyable journey for the
entrance to the boarding gate. the detail and significance of the great majority of passengers.
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018
10 WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
11
LEONARDO
PROMOTES UNIQUE
BAGGAGE HANDLING
SYSTEM TO UK
AIRPORTS
Italian high tech giant, Leonardo, is launching a new push to
sell its revolutionary baggage handling system to UK airports
following its success at Rome Fiumicino.
T
he system, able to handle
both outbound baggage “The new system is based on an innovative
and baggage in transit fully
automatically, is one of the most technological infrastructure that receives a bag
advanced in Europe in terms of
automation and baggage inspection when it is accepted at check-in and allows
capacity. Installation of the
company’s cross-belt system at the airport staff to follow its progress constantly until
Alitalia and international terminals
at Italy’s largest airport has cut
it is passed on to the designated airline handler”
costs, enhanced security and
catapulted Fiumicino to the top of giant new baggage handling The new system is based on
the continental Europe league table systems installed in 2016 at the an innovative technological
for speed of baggage delivery. Alitalia-Etihad Terminal 1 and the infrastructure that receives a bag
international Terminal 3. when it is accepted at check-in and
Leonardo has plans for a major allows airport staff to follow its
promotional campaign at this The most striking features are the progress constantly until it is passed
year’s passenger terminal expo in sheer scale, capacity and accuracy on to the designated airline handler.
Stockholm from 20 to 22 March. of the automated systems that rely The giant system in Terminal 1, home
on a unique cross-belt handling to Alitalia, Air France, Delta, Etihad
Ahead of the Swedish conference proprietary technology where lack and KLM, is nine kilometres long and
and exhibition, Leonardo gave of friction is the key to both high covers 40,000 square metres. It can
Airport Operator a tour of the performance and low cost. easily reach the overall capacity of
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201812
“The most striking features are the sheer scale, detailed examination of the
baggage without slowing down
capacity and accuracy of the automated systems that sorting times. EU legislation
requires all hold baggage screening
rely on a unique cross-belt handling proprietary in Europe to be equipped with
technology where lack of friction is the key to both
European Civil Aviation Conference
(ECAC) Standard 3-approved
high performance and low cost.” explosive detection systems by 1
September 2020.
Alberto Galli, airport sales manager
10,000 bags per hour required by The security check technology at Leonardo, takes particular pride
Aeroporti di Roma, thanks to the is also particularly advanced, in the key benefits of the system,
6,000 bags per hour capacity of each combining the automatic X-ray mainly the very high sorting
of the three sorters. On an average analysis of baggage with visual throughput with ultimate precision,
day it handles over 22,000 bags. analysis by an operator to whom the significant energy savings,
It also includes an Early Baggage the machine provides a high- the very low maintenance and the
Storage system for 2,400 bags. resolution 3D image. It allows extremely high reliability, which
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK13
ensure very low life cycle costs. It
is very evident that the innovative “The key point of our technology, which is the only
technology ensures optimum
and gentle handling for all types cross-belt sorter currently installed in the market, is
of bags, including those that are
fragile, have high friction or sticky
the low cost of operation and maintenance. There is
surfaces, prominent wheels or
irregular shapes.
no question that it is the most advanced in terms of
energy saving and maintenance costs”
Asked what he thinks is the unique
selling proposition of Leonardo’s
baggage handling technology, Galli
singles out low OPEX cost: “The key baggage delivery. In two years place among large European airports
point of our technology, which is Fiumicino has leapt from the bottom in ACI’s official quality rankings,
the only cross-belt sorter currently of the continental Europe league which are based on passenger
installed in the market, is the low table for speed of baggage delivery interviews. Since 2016, following the
cost of operation and maintenance. to the very top. investment, the airport has for the
There is no question that it is the first time ever taken first place in
most advanced in terms of energy The total investment made by those quality rankings, ahead of Paris,
saving and maintenance costs”. Aeroporti di Roma in the new Munich, Madrid and London.
baggage handling system was
While those factors were important €30 million. It was part of a wider Leonardo’s baggage handling
for Aeroporti di Roma, their infrastructure investment programme systems already operate in Geneva
spokespeople also highlight the designed to improve the passenger and Basel-Mulhouse and are
passenger benefits, including the experience at Fiumicino. Prior to the currently being deployed in Paris
huge increase in the speed of investment, the airport was in last Orly, Lyon, Kuwait and Islamabad.
Trusted with journeys.
Worldwide.
With capabilities covering communication, navigation, cyber, automation and surveillance, Leonardo’s integrated airport systems
are helping to ensure the safe, fast and efficient flow of air traffic, the security of people and goods, and the effective exchange of
information between operators.
Inspired by the vision, curiosity and creativity of the great master inventor - Leonardo is designing the technology of tomorrow.
leonardocompany.com
Helicopters | Aeronautics | Electronics, Defence & Security Systems | Space14 WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
15
THE NORTH’S
GLOBAL GATEWAY
Manchester Airport CEO, Andrew Cowan,
answers questions from Airport Operator
HOW IS RUNNING WHAT DO YOU FORESEE FOR inward investment, and international
MANCHESTER AIRPORT THE AIRPORT’S PASSENGER student numbers into the North.
DIFFERENT FROM RUNNING NUMBERS?
STANSTED? We’re confident that passenger In addition, the direct flights have
They’re both big airports that have numbers will continue to grow over delivered a substantial increase
their own individual challenges the coming years at Manchester. in the number of inbound tourists
and I hugely enjoyed my time We have seen the likes of Jet2. to the North, with many lured by
at Stansted. Where Manchester com, Ryanair, Thomas Cook Airlines, the region’s natural and historic
differs though is the scale of the TUI and easyJet backfilling the lost attractions, luxury shopping sites
operation with three terminals, capacity from Monarch’s collapse. and Premier League football teams.
two runways and a wider variety We’re also continually speaking to new
of carriers. It’s great to be back airlines who see the potential to fly THOMAS COOK AIRLINES WILL
leading Manchester at one of the from Manchester with over 22million LAUNCH A NEW ROUTE FROM
most exciting times in its 80-year people in our catchment area. We MANCHESTER TO SEATTLE
history as we continue to develop have also seen a massive growth in IN MAY. HOW IMPORTANT IS
our long haul network and also long-haul from Manchester in the last THAT AND YOUR OTHER US
transform the airport through our few years, with the addition of San DESTINATIONS TO MANCHESTER?
£1bn programme. Francisco, Boston, Beijing and Seattle. The new route to Seattle further opens
Long haul is a key growth market for up the West Coast of America for our
CAN YOU GIVE AN UPDATE us and one we will continue to pursue. passengers after the launch of San
ON THE PROGRESS OF THE Francisco and LA flights over the last
MANCHESTER AIRPORT HOW IS THE MANCHESTER – couple of years. The USA continues to
TRANSFORMATION BEIJING ROUTE DOING? be hugely popular and we have seen
PROGRAMME? The Beijing route has surpassed that the launch of more direct services
Six months into the building all expectations so far and Hainan has really driven demand.
work and progress is already Airlines is delighted with its
quite evident across the site. The performance. Passenger numbers HOW IMPORTANT IS THE
western side of Terminal 2 has been in the first year of operation LONDON HEATHROW LINK
demolished and the steelwork for were already 15% up on what was TO MANCHESTER AND WHAT
the first pier is now complete, as predicted and during the summer IMPACT WOULD EXPANSION
well as progress on groundworks months it went to a daily service. AT HEATHROW HAVE ON
for the airfield extension to create MANCHESTER?
new stands and taxiways. As the After the one-year anniversary of We know that passengers would
year continues we’ll start to see the the route we conducted a wider always rather fly direct from their
pier being fitted out and connected study into the benefits the Beijing local airport, and that’s why we work
to the terminal, the steelwork for route has brought to the region. The so hard to develop our network of
the new terminal extension being study revealed that in its first year of long haul routes. That’s probably
erected, airfield works to deliver operation the Manchester-Beijing air the biggest factor behind the steady
new stands and a new multi-storey route, operated by Hainan Airlines, has decline in the number of passengers
car park all progressing. driven a significant increase in exports, using the Heathrow link.
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201816
As the Secretary of State for stretching from Liverpool to Leeds What we need is an interim deal
Transport, Chris Grayling MP, and Sunderland to Stoke – and offer on aviation as soon as possible.
said when he visited us last year, great access to global markets. This would see us through a
Manchester Airport is the North’s transitional period post Brexit and
global gateway and plays a huge role As well as a solid commitment to allow time to find a final solution.
in driving the Northern Powerhouse infrastructure investment across Unlike other industries, we don’t
forward. The next 10 years will be the North, we need Government have an equivalent to World Trade
crucial for the UK economy and for to continue to see the strategic Organisation rules to fall back on.
rebalancing economic growth. So opportunity to develop Manchester
we need Government and politicians as a key part of its National Aviation HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE
to focus on what they can do now Strategy – one that would be capable THE AIRPORT’S ROLE IN THE
to support growth and improved of making a profound contribution to ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF
connectivity – and be willing to take the vision of a globally competitive THE NORTH OF ENGLAND?
an active and hands-on approach to Northern Powerhouse. Manchester Airport is the UK’s
working with airports right across the global gateway in the North and
UK to connect Britain to the world. The Government has for far too is now one of Europe’s top 20
For too long now, the political focus long concentrated on Heathrow airports, at a time when the North
has been on expanding Heathrow and and needs to look at airports like is increasingly competing strongly
that has to change Manchester with spare capacity to with the world’s most significant
play their part. It’ll be at least ten economic powerhouses.
WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES years before any additional runway
FOR FUTURE ROUTE capacity is built in the South, so the We offer flights to more than 210
DEVELOPMENT? Government needs to make the most destinations as airlines from all
We know that there is significant of the airports who already have corners of the world embrace the
demand for further routes to China, it in the short term. For example, strength and diversity of the Northern
Asia, India and the USA, and we will Manchester is currently on 27.8m market. That means people within our
continue to work with airlines to passengers, however we have the catchment – stretching from North
connect Manchester to key strategic capacity for 55m. So with real Wales to Humberside, and from the
markets across the globe. But as a Government focus and commitment Midlands to the Scottish Borders –
country we need to do something we can make a difference right now, have more choice than ever before,
about APD, which is essentially a not in a decade when a new southern whatever their reason for travel. And
tax on connectivity. At a time when runway might be built. it means businesses are being given
Britain is looking to become more better access to the global markets
global, we need to be encouraging HAS BREXIT HAD AN IMPACT that will unlock their full potential,
more new services not taxing them ON THE AIRPORT AND ARE by exporting to new customers and
in a way that pushes airlines to take YOU CONCERNED ABOUT ITS satisfying the demand for great British
their planes elsewhere. IMPACT OVER THE NEXT FEW products in emerging economies.
YEARS?
WHY HAVE YOU PLACED SO We’ve not seen any dip in demand This direct connectivity from the
MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE for flights from Manchester North is breaking down barriers
AVIATION STRATEGY AND since the referendum. European for international investors, who
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO destinations represent roughly 70% recognise the potential of the
SEE INCLUDED IN IT? of Manchester’s traffic and demand Northern Powerhouse proposition,
It has never been more important remains strong – just as importantly and for tourists hungry to sample
for people and businesses across though we’re seeing an expansion of our natural beauty and rich cultural
the whole country to have easy non-EU flights including long haul, and sporting heritage.
access to global markets. We are with the North of England becoming
demonstrating our commitment an increasingly important inbound It is for these reasons that a thriving
to providing this with our £1 destination from China, the Middle Manchester Airport is key to the
billion investment in transforming East and America. growth prospects of the North, as it
Manchester Airport, which is seeks to maximise the potential of
underway now. What we, along with every other high value sectors like technology,
UK airport is looking for, is some advanced manufacturing, energy
At the same time, it is vitally certainty for our passengers and our and life sciences, all of which rely
important that the Government plays airlines that they will enjoy the same on quick and easy access to global
its part in unlocking the North’s benefits of access to Europe post- centres of excellence – whether
full potential. Better international Brexit, that they do today. We want that’s Berlin, Boston or Beijing.
connectivity into and out of the passengers to book with confidence
region will plug investors directly and airlines to continue growing their It is also for these reasons that
into the Northern Powerhouse – routes into the UK. unlocking the full potential of
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK17
Manchester Airport goes hand-in- within two hours of the airport by THE ISSUE OF DISRUPTIVE
hand with creating a UK economy public transport to around 10m. PASSENGERS CONTINUES
that is both balanced and truly TO BE A FOCUS FOR MEDIA
competitive on the global stage. That, in turn could lead to between ATTENTION, ESPECIALLY IN
20-30 long haul routes becoming THE SUMMER. HOW IS THE
WHY ARE TRANSPORT viable. If each of those brings the AIRPORT DEALING WITH THIS?
INVESTMENTS LIKE NORTHERN benefits we have seen with new We are firmly committed to
POWERHOUSE RAIL AND services to the likes of Beijing, San implementing the guidance set by
HS2 SO IMPORTANT FOR Francisco and Hong Kong, then a the UK Aviation Industry Code of
MANCHESTER AIRPORT? major contribution will be made to Practice on Disruptive Passengers,
Manchester Airport needs to be the vision of a fully firing Northern becoming signatories to this
integrated into plans for major road Powerhouse that is closing the UK voluntary code in July 2016. We’ve
and rail investment in the North. growth gap. It is vital plans for the seen some real progress over the
design and delivery of NPR are last two years, with closer working
Doing so will ensure people and committed to and set out at the between all parties to address the
businesses in all parts of the North earliest opportunity. issue.
benefit from better access to global
markets. At the same time, reduced TRAVEL AGENTS HAVE AGAIN Thankfully, instances of anti-social
journey times to and from the major VOTED MANCHESTER “THE behaviour are rare and involve
Northern towns and cities widens UK’S BEST AIRPORT”. WHAT only a small number of our 27.8
Manchester Airport’s catchment DO YOU THINK ARE THE MAIN million passengers and affect a
area, drastically increasing the REASON FOR THE AIRPORT’S tiny proportion of the hundreds of
demand for long haul services in the SUCCESS? flights we handle each day.
eyes of airlines. We were delighted to win all four of
the key travel trade best UK airport We continue to work closely with
The scheme that will arguably awards last year. We work hard our airlines, retailers, handling
have the biggest impact in this with travel agents to ensure they agents and Greater Manchester
regard is Northern Powerhouse feel fully informed of what’s going Police to ensure that we enforce
Rail. Manchester Airport has been on at the airport in terms of route the code of conduct and that the
identified as a key node of the developments, new products and actions of the minority do not
planned NPR network, with high the terminal transformation. spoil the airport experience for the
speed direct links to the cities of majority of our customers.
Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, We also run hugely popular trade
Leeds and Newcastle envisaged. events and incentives which are
hugely popular with the travel trade.
The journey time savings being
aspired to with NPR will more than
treble the number of people living
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201818
BREXIT AND
UK AVIATION
– AN AOA GUIDE
While Brexit may mean Brexit, many in the aviation
industry have been trying to work out what the impact
could be on aviation.
T “The EU’s liberal aviation market was the catalyst
he most important area of
potential change is in our
rights to fly to 44 other
countries. Aviation is legally unique:
for the creation of many new routes as well as the
separate from trade agreements
and outside the World Trade
rise of low-cost carriers. Passengers can now fly
Organisation system. Instead, to more destinations than ever for lower fares.
countries negotiate air services
agreements to provide airlines with Maintaining these benefits for passengers and the
the legal rights to fly. These are
based on what are called “aviation UK economy is vital for UK prosperity.”
freedoms” (see picture) and they
can be very restricted (e.g. one Area (EEA) countries Norway and cost carriers. Passengers can now
flight a week to a specific airport Iceland (and Liechtenstein, but they fly to more destinations than ever
only) or very liberal (anytime, only have a heliport). The EU has for lower fares. Maintaining these
anywhere). also done a deal with Switzerland, benefits for passengers and the UK
created the European Common economy is vital for UK prosperity.
Air transport used to be a highly Aviation Area to bring candidate That is why the AOA and European
regulated industry, dominated by EU-countries in the western Balkans trade association ACI EUROPE want
national flag carriers. The UK was closer on aviation, concluded to see a deal as close as possible to
a leader liberalising this market, European-Mediterranean Aviation today’s arrangements.
with success: the creation of the Agreements with Israel, Morocco
Single Aviation Market in the 1990s and Jordan and agreed third- That may be a challenge: no other
removed all commercial restrictions country deals with the US, Canada, country outside the EU/EEA has
for EU airlines, such as restrictions Moldova and Georgia. Together, the traffic rights we enjoy today.
on routes, the frequency of flights these 44 countries account for 85% Switzerland gets closest; they only lack
or the setting of fares. That means of the UK’s air traffic. rights to fly domestically within an EU
EU airlines can fly between any two country – but, in return, they are signed
points within the EU. This includes For all other countries that we can fly up to fully implementing EU aviation
between, say, Germany and France, to from UK airports (111 in total), we rules, without a say over them. That
or between two UK cities. have bilateral UK-only deals and they may be too far for the UK Government.
are all fine. For the EU, the UK signing up to just
So, we will need a new agreement aviation rules but nothing else may also
with the EU, but not just with the The EU’s liberal aviation market was be too far. The EU has vowed not to let
EU. The Single Aviation Market the catalyst for the creation of many the UK “cherry-pick” the good bits of
extends to European Economic new routes as well as the rise of low- EU membership.
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK19
The next big issue is the UK’s role important to maintain influence want the traffic rights, accepting
in the European Aviation Safety over future rules, with the UK’s those rules may be the price to
Agency (EASA), which, together respected expertise this may not pay. Where that is not the case is
with the US Federal Aviation require having a formal vote. It was the return of Duty Free shopping
Administration, is one of the welcome that the Prime Minister to EU destinations. That’s currently
dominant rule-making bodies for supported this approach in her possible for the EEA, so will be for
aviation safety globally. The UK speech on Brexit last week. the UK. If we can deviate from EU
needs to have an adequate safety rules, then the end of charging APD
regime in place and have that Aviation security is unlikely to on both legs of a domestic journey is
recognised by other countries. be affected, as we operate more an opportunity for regional airports.
For example, our pilot licences or stringent measures than the EU Similarly, more support for smaller
aircrafts’ airworthiness need to be baseline. Air traffic services are airports for route-development, such
recognised by the countries to which slightly complicated, given the role as Public Service Obligations, could
we’re flying. of EUROCONTROL, which is not an be possible under more relaxed
EU body. The Single European Sky state-aid rules.
The easiest way to achieve that is by is, however, an EU project, but we’d
remaining part of EASA. Otherwise expect to align to much of it in any These are some of the most
the UK Civil Aviation Authority event. Beyond that, the issues are important areas for aviation in
would have to set up new systems, very similar to the rest of the UK: the upcoming negotiations. With
hire more people and create UK getting the customs regime right so many factors and political and
standards. That would take time for air freight – an important part economic pressures on both sides of
and create additional costs for of long-haul routes’ commercial the negotiations, where we will end
UK businesses, particularly for viability and vital for freight-heavy up is too difficult to predict.
aerospace manufacturers. airports like East Midlands, access
to skills, etc.
There is precedent for this: EEA
countries and Switzerland are Are there opportunities in Brexit? Henk van Klaveren is Senior
Public Affairs and PR Manager at
members of EASA, though they do There could be, but some involve
the AOA.
not have voting rights. While it’s diverging from EU rules – and if we
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201820
HEATHROW EXPANSION
– ONE OF THE UK’S
BIGGEST PLANNING
CONSULTATIONS EVER
SEEN
With Brexit on the horizon and a renewed focus on the UK’s
place in the world, Heathrow’s Emma Gilthorpe says that it is
more important than ever to get on with expanding Heathrow,
the nation’s gateway to the world
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK21
I “It is about more than just a runway. It is about
n January, Heathrow took a
major step towards delivering
the extra hub capacity and
launched one of the country’s opportunities for our local community, inside and
biggest planning consultations
ever seen. The milestone was the
outside the airport’s boundary. It is about securing
latest in the programme that will
see future generations in Britain
the country’s economy and connecting the whole of
better connected to the world and the UK to global growth.”
prospering, whilst making sure our
plans work for our local communities
and the environment. The 10-week runway and operate an expanded Changes to airspace will ultimately
consultation launched on the 17th airport – including options on the improve resilience and punctuality
January and is running until the location of terminals and aprons, the for passengers while reducing noise,
28th March – giving the public an realignment of the M25 and local emissions and the number of late-
early opportunity to help shape roads, as well as on our proposed running flights for local communities.
Heathrow’s future and how the approaches to important topics, This is a once in a lifetime
airport will serve local communities including noise, air quality and opportunity for our communities
and the UK economy. With 40 events surface access. to work with us to transform the
taking place across London, we airspace around Heathrow and
encourage everyone to come along The second part of the consultation help to reduce noise, delays and
and learn more, making sure their relates to potential principles emissions by accommodating the
voices are heard, ensuring the plan that could apply when designing latest technology.
to expand is the best it can be. the new airspace required for an
expanded airport. Airspace across
There are two parts to our the country is being modernised as
consultation: the first relates to the it has changed little since the 1960s.
physical changes on the ground
needed to build a new north-west
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201822 WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
23
“When the Government announced its But expanding in the national
interest must not come at the
support for Heathrow expansion it made a expense of our local communities.
We want our local communities to
clear commitment to keeping Britain open for share in the benefits of Heathrow’s
growth. Expansion will create
business. We want an expanded Heathrow to up to 40,000 jobs in the local
be the world’s best airport, ensuring that our
area and create a wealth of new
opportunities for local businesses.
country and its future generations have the Thousands of young people will
have a chance to launch their
infrastructure they need to thrive.” careers at Heathrow as we double
the number of apprenticeships,
giving the opportunity to end youth
unemployment in the areas around
Our multi-stage consultation we have made to local communities the airport. Our Skills Taskforce, led
process is a central part of – including a world class property by Lord Blunkett, will help shape
delivering our plans. This is the compensation scheme, the pledge our future workforce, leave a skills
first opportunity for the public to to introduce a 6.5 hour ban on legacy behind, and help make
feedback on our proposals since scheduled night flights and the Heathrow a role model for diversity
the Airports Commission and it is promise to only release new capacity and social mobility.
important that everyone has their if air quality limits can be met.
say. It is an opportunity for anyone When the Government announced
to share views on the options for But it’s important not to forget the its support for Heathrow expansion it
how we expand. We’ll use this reason we’re expanding Heathrow. made a clear commitment to keeping
feedback to develop a preferred It is about more than just a runway. Britain open for business. We
masterplan on which we will then It is about opportunities for our want an expanded Heathrow to be
seek further views in a second local community, inside and outside the world’s best airport, ensuring
planning consultation, next year. the airport’s boundary. It is about that our country and its future
We’ve used a range of methods to securing the country’s economy and generations have the infrastructure
communicate with the public and connecting the whole of the UK to they need to thrive.
airport stakeholders including mail- global growth. And it is about legacy
outs to 2.4 million households with – building the infrastructure today that We need feedback – including
information on our events, as well our children will need for tomorrow. from the aviation industry – to help
as setting up a dedicated phoneline, deliver this opportunity responsibly
Twitter and website. We’ve informed Today, businesses across the and to create a long-term legacy
local councillors and MPs of our country, from Scotland to the both at a local and national level.
events and have arranged more South West depend on the global Heathrow is consulting to ensure
in-depth briefings, on request. connections Heathrow creates. With that we deliver benefits for our
Heathrow has also begun engaging 204 routes to over 85 countries, we passengers, businesses across the
with a number of you on how best connect the whole of Britain to the country but also, importantly, for
we can work together as an industry world and drive investment back into those neighbours closest to us too.
to modernise our airspace. and across the country. Expanding Heathrow doesn’t have
to be a choice between economic
Any infrastructure project of this Heathrow expansion will give us the growth or the environment – we can
size inevitably will create some opportunity to open up our airport deliver for both. This consultation
impacts and disruption locally, and with up to 30 new airlines currently is an important step in delivering
for that, we are sorry. Heathrow is in the queue and add up to 40 new expansion fairly, unlocking
working to be a better neighbour to long-haul destinations. opportunities which will secure a
the communities around the airport, prosperous future for generations
and wherever possible, we want to Expanding Heathrow is essential while delivering our commitments.
minimise the negative effects that to ensure future generations can Please get involved.
expansion could have both during and compete for global trade. It will create
after construction. While we’ve been up to 180,000 new jobs and up to £187
working hard with local stakeholders billion in economic benefits across
and our airlines to reduce the cost the country. We will double cargo Emma Gilthorpe is Executive
Director, Expansion at Heathrow
of expansion by £2.5bn, we will not capacity, support British exporters and
Airport
compromise on the commitments leave an infrastructure skills legacy.
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201824
NEW OWNER OF
BOURNEMOUTH
AIRPORT URGES
GOVERNMENT TO BACK
REGIONAL AIRPORTS
Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Regional & City Airports
(RCA), is lobbying the Government to deliver an aviation strategy
that recognises the key role that smaller regional airports play both
in their regional economies and in “the overall aviation eco-system”.
R
CA, which already owned Bell said that Bournemouth has “huge an expansion in operations under
Norwich, Exeter and Coventry potential that remains untapped” and RCA ownership. He said that while
airports, bought Bournemouth forecast that improved connectivity Bournemouth operates in a very
from MAG (owner of Manchester, to European destinations would drive competitive environment, “it has
Stansted and East Midlands airports) the airport’s passenger numbers strengths that other airports lack
last December. from 700,000 to over a million, with and we are going to play to those
more passengers choosing their local strengths”.
Explaining RCA’s decision to acquire airport for leisure and business travel
Bournemouth, Bell said: “We have and to visit friends and relatives. In addition to the airports that it
a very simple vision to develop Exeter and Norwich airports have owns and operates, RCA, which is
regional airports that serve the both grown by an average of 5% per the airports management division
needs of the regional community year over the last three years, with of Rigby Group plc, also holds
and the economy and that provide domestic and international routes, management contracts for Solent,
a catalyst for development. We and both are profitable. City of Derry and Blackpool airports.
want our passengers to experience Bournemouth would be able to
a consistent and good quality Bournemouth airport currently offers benefit from the division’s ability to
service. We really try to focus on flights to 22 destinations across use the critical mass of the largest
convenience and speed of transit. Europe and is a base for Ryanair regional airport group in England
and TUI, supporting 900 jobs and and Northern Ireland to deliver
“Our strategy for the business is to contributing £24 million to the local economies of scale and specialist
focus on helping smaller regional economy. It also provides a home skills, like route development and car
airports to reach their potential. for flight training, maintenance, parking yield management, that a
Bournemouth was one that we felt had repair and operations businesses and smaller airport would be unlikely to
a lot going for it. It is a very important General Aviation. be able to access alone.
asset in the region and its attributes
sit perfectly with our business model. Bell described the airport as “one of Bournemouth and other smaller
Bournemouth was a natural and very the South’s flagship aviation hubs” regional airports could make an
good fit for our group”. and said it could look forward to even greater contribution to UK
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK25
“Bournemouth is a very important asset in that recognises the disproportionate
impact of one size fits all regulation
the region. It was a natural and very good fit on smaller airports, citing the
example of new security standards for
for our group and has huge potential that baggage handling. As far as planning
is concerned, he wants to see a
remains untapped” presumption in favour of development
at regional airports, recognising the
broad value that airport development
can bring to a region.
success in the future, Bell said, if the There are many issues, such as Brexit
Government takes the opportunity and business rates, that affect UK Bell concluded by emphasising
of its consultations on a new Aviation airports of all sizes, but Bell believes how important it would be for
Strategy to put right the “historic lack that Air Passenger Duty, the cost smaller regional airports to lobby
of recognition for smaller airports”. of regulation and planning are the Department for Transport over
particularly important for the future the coming months to make sure
With congestion both at larger health of smaller airports. that the Government doesn’t focus
airports and getting to them, only on aviation’s “big ticket items”.
smaller airports could offer a more He said that Air Passenger Duty He said that Ministers and officials
convenient and speedy alternative. “represents a huge challenge and is need to take proper account of the
That would be good news for an enormous burden to overcome importance to the UK economy of
customers, the environment and in the context of the viability of airports of all sizes. Bell clearly hopes
regional economic development. In regional routes and particularly for to provide one such lobbying voice
addition, regional airports across domestic routes where it is charged for regional airports that will result in
the country could become an even twice”. Bournemouth currently has an Aviation Strategy written with the
more important element in the no domestic connectivity. whole industry in mind.
wider “eco-system” of UK aviation,
not least by providing a home On regulation, he said that he would
for vital aviation businesses, such like to see a more tailored approach
as pilot training, for which larger
airports no longer have room.
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201826
WILSON JAMES
CELEBRATES SUCCESS
Wilson James, one of the UK airport industry’s major suppliers of
security, business services and construction logistics, is celebrating
one of the most successful years in its 25-year history.
W
ithin the space of twelve lessons learned from Wilson James’ Airport also help the staff to feel part
months, it has won a customer experience at leading UK of the airport team. The partnership
contract to provide airside museums and a partnership approach approach is reinforced by the firm’s
security at Liverpool John Lennon with the airport. Another key factor, commitment to the issues that matter
Airport, become Gatwick’s preferred working on the basis that raising to the airport, including charity, skills
supplier of special assistance standards saves costs in the long training (linking to the new Wilson
services for passengers with term, has been the firm’s decision to James Airport Security Academy
restricted mobility and picked up a raise staff salaries, which has helped in partnership with Derby College),
series of awards for its innovative to ensure no staff departures since environmental sustainability and
logistics work at Heathrow. the new contract began last October airport safety (including the AOA’s
(contrasting with the previous 6% Airports Safety Week).
Director of Aviation, Dee Thomas, staff loss per month).
attributed the firm’s Liverpool Since 1 February, Wilson James has
triumph last September to investment New uniforms that are dual branded been providing special assistance
in the senior management team, Wilson James and John Lennon services at Gatwick, with the firm
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK27
says, means that “if we are doing our
job well, no one knows about it”.
consolidation. It has recently Fortunately, Heathrow knows about
upgraded its fleet of escort vehicles it, which explains why last autumn it
having been chosen, according to to 100% electric Nissan Leafs. awarded Wilson James the Heathrow
Gatwick, “for its passion for service Clean Vehicles Partnership’s first ever
and its commitment to invest in the At the heart of the centre’s success Leadership Award and made Wilson
creation of a new and differentiating is its state-of-the-art WJ Fulcrum James its CVP Champion 2017, with
service culture for its colleagues”. delivery management system, Matt Gorman, Heathrow Director of
Nick Barton, Head of Terminals and which improves the efficiency of Sustainability , commenting “We rely
Passenger Service, said: “We are construction industry material on the innovation of partners like
confident that Wilson James can delivery across the airside-landside Wilson James to keep driving forward
deliver continued improvement boundary, with the result that 99% sustainable change and to fulfil our
in the quality of the airport’s of all scheduled vehicles now make ambition to reduce nitrogen dioxide
special assistance services through their deliveries on time or early. For emissions from airside vehicles by
investment in people, training and every 3.6 vehicles delivering to the 50% by 2020.
new equipment and also by using consolidation centre, only one goes
new technology”. out to the airport, which reduces The logistics centre is only one
construction traffic by 72%. element of Wilson James’ work
Wilson James has worked in at Heathrow, which, in addition to
partnership with Heathrow for 22 John Spottiswood, Wilson security services, also includes running
years and currently employs 200 James Director of Heathrow Heathrow’s VIP chauffeur service
staff at the airport. Its Colnbrook Logistics Integration, says that the and its children’s play areas, where
Logistics Centre is a vital part of consolidation centre is unique to trained company supervisors ensure
the airport’s sustainability strategy Heathrow, a symbol of the airport’s that a child’s play area experience is
and an important component in commitment to environmental educational, entertaining and safe.
the airport’s security and logistics. sustainability and “gives Heathrow
The centre provides security checks the edge on the customer A few weeks’ after the awards for
for all construction vehicles going experience.” He emphasises its logistics work, Wilson James also
into the airport and a space for the importance that the airport picked up the Partner of the Year
construction materials as well as places on ensuring that day-to- at the Team Heathrow Partnership
reducing the number of vehicles day construction work is, in effect, Awards, as well as the “Treating
in the airport through just in time invisible to the passenger, which, he Everyone with Respect Award”.
“We are confident that Wilson James can deliver continued improvement in
the quality of the airport’s special assistance services through investment in
people, training and new equipment and also by using new technology.”
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