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Beyond the horizon: Government launches new aviation strategy for the UK

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On 21 July 2017, secretary of state for transport, Chris Grayling, formally launched the government’s call for evidence in respect of a long term strategy for UK aviation. Beyond the Horizon – The Future of UK Aviation contains six key objectives that the government has identified in order to drive an industry that is, and continues to be, vital to the prosperity of the UK economy. Aviation is important in its own right and as an enabler of growth in other sectors. The six objectives identified by the government will essentially focus on customer satisfaction, safety and security, UK global connectivity, competition, sustainable growth and innovation. At face value, there is perhaps nothing particularly ground-breaking about them. However, it does provide some comfort to the industry to know that the government is forward planning in light of continued geopolitical uncertainty.

The new strategy replaces the Aviation Policy Framework that the government implemented in 2013. So much in aviation has changed over the last four years. It includes rapid technological advancement, airspace planning, airport capacity decisions in the south east, impact on climate change and the ever-changing security environment, to name but a few. Couple these changes with having to define the UK’s future relationship with the EU, traffic rights, aviation market access on the continent for UK carriers and regulating aviation safety, and it quickly becomes apparent that the 2013 strategy is no longer fit for purpose. The EU launched its ‘open and connected’ aviation strategy back in early June, notably in ensuring that the single aviation market remains competitive. Encouraging competitive markets is also a pillar of the UK’s strategy, which for the moment at least are fully EU markets. However, much to the perpetual dismay of some airline CEOs, it is slightly unclear as to where aviation ranks, in terms of priorities, for the ongoing Brexit negotiations between Mr Davis and Mr Barnier.

The objective of ensuring a safe and secure way to travel is equally as prevalent. In his foreword, Mr Grayling rightly notes that the UN Security Council’s Resolution 2309 (22 September 2016 – on security in civil aviation) is a catalyst for signatory states to collaborate better in fighting terrorism. This divergent threat now firmly includes cyber security response measures. It remains to be seen if the Beijing Convention 2010 will enter into force and raise the level of cyber-attacks against aircraft, airports and air traffic management up to that of conventional terrorist acts.

Beyond the Horizon is now open for public input. It invites as broad a range of stakeholders as possible to answer the questions set out in its annex A. Individual and collective opinions and views will probably be quite diverse – from pro-business interests dependent on trading with the EU and other global markets to environmental concerns about how to reconcile growth in air travel with reducing CO2 emissions. The consultation will run until 13 October 2017 and the response process is set out in annex B.

For further insight, advice and assistance on the call for evidence or on any other aspect of aviation law please contact our aviation team.

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