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www.aoa.org.uk SCOTTISH ELECTION MANIFESTO
AIRPORT
OPERATORS
ASSOCIATION
SCOTTISH
ELECTION
MANIFESTO
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
1
SCOTTISH ELECTION MANIFESTO
FOREWORD
Aviation was one of our success stories. must be a priority for the new Scottish
Before Covid-19, the UK had the largest Government. There is an opportunity here to
aviation market in the EU and the third largest build back better, both from a connectivity
aviation market in the world, after the USA perspective but also when it comes to
and China. Nearly 300 million passengers sustainability.
travelled through UK airports in 2019 – a
record number. 28.9m of those passengers Even before Covid, Scotland’s international
travelled through Scottish airports, of whom connectivity underperformed compared to
92% flew through Aberdeen, Edinburgh and countries of a similar size. A study for ABTA
Glasgow. and Airlines UK showed that, compared to ten
northern and western European countries of
As a sector, aviation contributed more similar size, Scotland ranked 10th in terms of
than £66 billion to the economy (3.2% of connectivity. Other countries, like Ireland and
the UK’s GDP) and supported 1.1 million Norway are smaller in terms of population
jobs. Aviation is also a crucial enabler but had measurably greater connectivity.
for the Scottish economy. For example, Scotland’s weakest area was in direct long-
Scotland’s time-sensitive food exports, such haul connectivity, where it ranked last in
as salmon, fly to reach their destinations terms of the number of destinations served.
quickly. The tourism sector, which employs As a result, opportunities for tourism and
218,000 people in Scotland, relies on the growth are lost that can and must be seized
3.3m international visitors that travelled in the recovery from the pandemic.
to Scotland in 2018, with the vast majority
travelling by air. Aviation thus supports jobs Secondly, there is great scope to generate
right across Scotland, from the Highlands & jobs and growth through investing in
Islands to internationally recognised cities, sustainable aviation technologies, like
like Edinburgh and Glasgow. sustainable aviation fuels, in which Scotland
should be a world leader. Not only will this
Finally, aviation is crucial to ensuring the accelerate decarbonisation efforts, but it
Highlands & Islands have the connectivity will create green aviation jobs and export
they need to thrive. Lifeline services help opportunities. It will also ensure we can
ensure people have access to medical care, meet future aviation demand while staying
for example. 5% of the passenger traffic in on course to hit our net zero target by 2050.
Scotland in 2019 was within Scotland.
Government has a crucial role to play to
The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged this help Scotland’s aviation sector fully recover.
all to the core. Passenger numbers declined Inaction risks Scotland falling behind other
by more than 75% in Scotland across the parts of the UK, as analysis for the AOA’s
whole of 2020, with two-thirds of 2020’s 7m Airports Recovery Plan showed. This
passengers travelling between January and manifesto sets out an ambitious recovery
March. Between April and December 2020, agenda for the next Scottish Government
passenger numbers were down nearly 90%. and we look forward to working with
This has led to job losses at Scottish airports Ministers and officials to deliver on this,
and in the industries relying on aviation. enabling aviation to play its full part in
helping to secure Scotland’s re-emerging
Reconnecting Scotland to the wider world prosperity.
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
2
SCOTTISH ELECTION MANIFESTO
MEANINGFUL RESTART
AND RECOVERY
International connectivity is the cornerstone
of a global trading nation
The COVID-19 pandemic is the worst crisis restrictions, passenger numbers are not
in aviation’s history. Passenger numbers estimated to return to 2019 levels any
travelling through Scottish airports last year earlier than 2025 in the most optimistic
were down 75% to just over seven million. scenario. Increased restrictions that have
Most of those passengers travelled before continued long into 2021 mean a full traffic
the pandemic hit, with passenger numbers recovery by 2025 is now highly unlikely.
declining nearly 90% between April to
Connectivity recovery will be slower than
December 2020. This has had some major
the recovery in passenger numbers, as
economic impacts, including a reduction
airlines priorities high-yield, short-haul
by 89% of economic output for the UK’s
routes. The slowest recovery is expected
air transport sector between February to
in the UK devolved nations, including
December 20201 and 860,000 UK aviation,
Scotland.
travel and tourism jobs having been lost or
sustained only due to government furlough Airlines will also look for routes from
schemes2. airports that can offer them favourable cost
reductions. With European airports having
While support from the Scottish
received significantly more support, they
Government on business rates and policing
are better placed to compete for those
costs has been more significant than from
airlines than Scottish airports. If a new
the UK Government, it has still paled in
Scottish Government wants to prevent
comparison to both airports’ losses and the
Scotland from being left behind, they will
support given by other countries to their
need to address this swiftly.
respective aviation sectors, largely through
non-repayable grants: USA £23.3bn; The best way to do so would be through
Germany £7.8bn; France £6.5bn; the an Aviation Recovery Package, ideally on
Netherlands £3.2bn. a four-nation basis due to the different
reserved and devolved responsibilities. In
This leaves Scottish airports at a serious
our Airport Recovery Plan, the AOA has set
competitive disadvantage.
out measures the UK, Scottish and other
The AOA’s Airport Recover Plan, published devolved government should take together.
in February, included forecasts by business
In addition to more significant financial
consultancy Steer on possible recovery
support to compensate for the losses
scenarios, based on potential global
suffered by airports and to ensure they
vaccine roll-out. Using data from before
have fuel in the tank as they start the
the UK and Scotland’s current set of
recovery, a recovery package must give
1
Office for National Statistics, Coronavirus and the impact on output in the UK economy: December 2020 (12 February 2021)
2
International Air Transport Association (IATA), PM Boris Johnson Must Include Air Transport in UK Economic Restart Plans (18 February 2021)
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
3
SCOTTISH ELECTION MANIFESTO
aviation the green light to restart. The new catchment areas and thus increase an
Scottish Government should undertake airport’s ability to attract airlines.
work similar to the UK Government’s
The new Scottish Government should
Global Travel Taskforce and set out a
also work with the UK Government on
comprehensive framework for international
UK-wide measures. For example, pending
travel, including an ambitious and
the implementation of Air Departure Tax
affordable testing regime.
in Scotland, only the UK Government can
Based on that framework, steps should then implement a twelve-month Air Passenger
be taken to boost route recovery. Measures Duty holiday to increase airports’ ability
could include: to compete for the return of vital routes.
Another important area is airside VAT-free
• A route development fund, which could
shopping. This was withdrawn on 1 January
take different forms:
2021, making the UK the only developed
o Reimbursing landing charges for key country without VAT-free shopping in
routes, as the Republic of Ireland has airports. With EU airports able to offer this
done to Scotland-bound travellers, they again
o More generous use of Public Service have a competitive advantage unless the
Obligations and/or route start-up UK Government reverses its course.
funding Putting the new Scottish Government’s
o Additional marketing funds to attract full weight behind Scotland’s connectivity
visitors to Scotland recovery will boost the wider Scottish
economy. It is vital for Scotland’s prosperity
• Investment in surface access to create recovery that they get that right, with the
better access to airports – not only would outlined measures in the AOA Airport
this reduce the impact of journeys to and Recovery Plan a crucial first step to
from the airport, but it would also widen achieving this.
PUTTING THE NEW SCOTTISH
GOVERNMENT’S FULL
WEIGHT BEHIND SCOTLAND’S
CONNECTIVITY RECOVERY
WILL BOOST THE WIDER
SCOTTISH ECONOMY.
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
4
SCOTTISH ELECTION MANIFESTO
SUSTAINABILITY
While the COVID-19 pandemic has been Organisation’s (ICAO) within the framework
a major rupture for our sector, it is also of the UNFCCC’s COP26. As part of an
an opportunity to build back better. We Aviation Recovery Package, the new
want to see aviation returning for all Scottish Government could announce
communities in Scotland, not just those in initiative to bring sustainable aviation fuel
the economic hotspots of the country, but production to Scotland and make Scotland
with an environmental impact that is lower a prime location for R&D into sustainable
than it was in 2019. aviation technologies, utilising the presence
of aerospace hubs around Scottish airports
The UK was the first country to see an
like Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
industry-wide commitment to net zero
emissions by 2050, which UK aviation To reduce airport-specific emissions, the
proudly stands by despite the impact of Scottish Government could look at a Green
the pandemic. Much like the COVID-19 Airports Fund. This is particularly important
recovery, there is a long road ahead. It will as airports are expected to have limited, if
require government and industry to work any, funds for capital investment as they
together to make it a reality and see the recover from the major losses suffered
benefits from the opportunities around due to COVID-19. This lack of funds must
green aviation jobs accrue to Scotland. not lead to “lost years” for sustainability.
A Green Airports Fund could step in to
The Scottish Government’s commitment
prevent that, through grants and funding
on net-zero flights to the Highlands &
for sustainable power and heat generation,
Islands communities is a world-leading
electric vehicle charging infrastructure,
commitment. It is now time for the right
low-emissions airside vehicle uptake and
levels of investment and policies to
sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure.
facilitate development of net-zero-enabling
technologies for larger aircraft flying longer Airspace modernisation will also be an
routes. These include sustainable aviation important part of this picture, as it will
fuels and alternative fuel technologies, upgrade our airspace and reduce emissions
such as hydrogen, many of which could and noise impacts as a result. The UK
be developed in Scotland with the right Government has ensured that all UK
funding and policy support from a new airports can get to the next stage of the
Scottish Government. modernisation process, through £5.5m
funding through the Airspace Change
COP26 in Glasgow offers the ideal
Organising Group – the body that is
opportunity to showcase Scottish
coordinating a masterplan for UK airspace.
leadership. The international nature of
aviation requires an international approach,
through the International Civil Aviation
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
5SCOTTISH ELECTION MANIFESTO
BORDERS FIT FOR AN
OUTWARD-LOOKING
SCOTLAND
While the UK’s border management is a resourced Border Force that can cope with
reserved matter for the UK Government, the increased passenger flows.
Scottish Government could play a vital role
Airports have done what they can to
in ensuring the UK Government lives up to
improve facilities at the border. There has
its commitments to have a world-leading
been significant investment to adapt border
border experience. With passenger numbers
halls to manage queues better, to provide
likely to return only slowly, there is a risk
the infrastructure necessary for e-passport
that the lack of pressure from a worsening
gates and to purchase additional e-passport
passenger experience will see the Home
gates beyond what the Government is able
Office and Border Force reduce efforts to
to provide.
improve the border’s functioning.
Despite this investment by airports, queue
Around 75% of visitors to the UK arrive by
lengths at passport control have grown at all
air, meaning that providing a safe, secure
airports prior to the pandemic. This is often
and seamless journey through immigration is
hidden in official statistics because these peak
vital for Scotland to be seen as a welcoming
queues are averaged out by the quiet times.
place for tourists and trusted by businesses.
Passengers have, however, felt the impact as
It is therefore in the national interest to
complaint logs at airports and media coverage
better harness technology and have a well-
of queues at the border has shown.
To ensure that the border is fit for purpose when passenger numbers return to 2019
levels, the new Scottish Government should work closely with the UK Government
and hold them to account on:
• Additional resources for Border Force to ensure that it is better equipped to deal
with passenger volumes, particularly at peak travel times.
• Working together with industry to implement the recently published 2025 UK
Border Strategy, ensuring that it takes account of the passenger experience,
genuinely harnesses technology and works collaboratively with industry on the
necessary smart solutions.
• Working with industry to adapt current performance measurement to better
reflect actual passenger experience at the border. This should focus on reviewing
the current Service Level Agreements, taking more of a risk-based approach to
ensure they are robust and better balance security and service at the border.
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
6SCOTTISH ELECTION MANIFESTO
ABOUT THE AOA
The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is the trade association that represents
UK airports. Its mission is to see UK airports grow sustainably. The AOA represents
the views of UK airports to Government, Parliament and regulators to secure policy
outcomes that help deliver its mission. It represents more than 50 UK airports in the UK.
For further details please contact:
Henk van Klaveren, Head of Public Affairs & PR
Airport Operators Association
3 Birdcage Walk,
London
SW1H 9JJ
Tel: 020 7799 3171
Email: henkvanklaveren@aoa.org.uk
Website: www.aoa.org.uk
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
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