Lobbying going on for Birmingham Airport ahead of 2012 aviation policy consultation

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce have “demanded” that Birmingham Airport is made
a priority when the policy is announced, and they want policy to let Birmingham
to take pressure off Heathrow. Birmingham C of C  and the airport are already
starting to build up pressure and the PR for the airport to influence government
thinking before the next aviation policy consultation in 2012. There will be much
more of this sort of thing in coming months ….  


 


Hope for Birmingham Airport ahead of new UK aviation policy

26.10.2011 (Birmingham Post)

Birmingham business leaders are hopeful that the city’s airport will be one of
the major winners when a new draft policy on aviation policy is published next
March.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group (BCCG), together with its independent transport
policy body, the West Midlands Business Transport Group, have demanded that Birmingham
Airport is made a priority when the policy is announced.

The Chamber is pushing the airport’s case as it meets all the criteria demanded
by the aviation policy, which is meant to provide the framework for a sustainable
strategy which will last the UK for decades to come.

It is expected that the framework will be adopted by 2013. If the Chamber’s recommendations
are adopted, future aviation policy will support the growth of Birmingham Airport,
which will put it in a position to take some of the pressure from London’s crowded
airports, particularly Heathrow.

Ross Gurdin, policy advisor at BCCG, said that since Heathrow had been refused
permission to build a third runway, Birmingham Airport had emerged as a strong
contender to fill any gap in demand.

The Midland airport’s case had been strengthened by plans for the HS2 high-speed
train line, which, when built, would make it quicker to get to Birmingham from
some parts of London than it would to get to busy Heathrow.

“Birmingham Airport is continually expanding its direct range of flights to more
and more countries making it a better option for businesses,” said Mr Gurdin.

“Centred in the heart of the UK and with lots of spare capacity, businesses will
find it easier to access markets in the Far East and West Coast of America. Currently
business travellers have to fly from Heathrow or have to change flights.

“When it is built, high speed rail will mean it is as easy to travel from London
to Birmingham Airport as it is to travel from parts of London to Heathrow.

“We urge the Department of Transport to prioritise Birmingham and recognise the
huge impact that aviation plays in the West Midlands economy.

“The airport currently only serves 40 per cent of travellers [sic ?! ]  but there
is a huge potential for it to grow and we must ensure it does if we are to reap
the benefits of having such an excellent asset on our doorstep.”

Birmingham Airport is already committed to expanding its facilities, including
lengthening the runway. The extension is due to open in 2014.


http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2011/10/26/hope-for-birmingham-airport-ahead-of-new-uk-aviation-policy-65233-29660217/#ixzz1bs6kQLR2

 

and see

Birmingham FoE response:

Airport Benefits? Lost Jobs and a Massive Deficit 

 by Joe Peacock    

Thursday, 27 October 2011

Birmingham Friends of the Earth have dismissed claims that the government should
prioritise Birmingham Airport in their new policy.

With new research showing overblown projections of growth, billions already being
lost to the local economy and totally misleading job creation predictions, the
green group say that allowing further subsidies to the industry will only further
damage businesses in Birmingham.

Joe Peacock from Birmingham Friends of the Earth said “Our research for this
policy review shows that on average, the tax subsidy per (direct) job in the aviation
industry is £50,000 a year. This simply cannot be a wise use of money in times
of such economic uncertainties.

“The climate change problems with aviation are well known and if the predicted
increases in flights happen, CO2 emissions from the airport will dwarf those from
the city of Birmingham. However, what’s been ignored is the negative impact it’s
having on jobs and a local thriving business environment.

“Aviation last year cost the region 85,431 jobs according to our research and
if the numbers of flights increase, this could peak at around 300 000 jobs in
2030.”

Birmingham Friends of the Earth calls for subsidies into the runway extension
to be re-examined and a moratorium on airport expansion.

Notes to Editors

•This press response refers to the article “Hope for Birmingham Airport ahead
of new UK aviation policy”:
http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2011/10/26/hope-for-birmingham-airport-ahead-of-new-uk-aviation-policy-65233-29660217/#ixzz1bs6kQLR2

•For more information on Birmingham Friends of the Earth’s stance on Aviation
issues, please visit
http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/aviation

•Their response to the Government’s aviation consultation is available at: http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/bfoe-on-flying/developing-a-sustainable-framework-for-uk-aviation