Transport Minister, Simon Burns, tells aviation industry to agree among itself on airport capacity

The transport minister has told the aviation industry it must reach “consensus” before the debate on aviation capacity can move forward. Simon Burns was speaking at the annual British Air Transport Association (BATA) dinner in London, where he said the aviation debate needed agreement from within the industry itself. His words were: “Consensus between politicians, across communities and yes…even within the aviation industry itself.” He said: “Progress is being squeezed between the rock of local issues and the hard place of national interests.”  He said we all need to be part of the process, and “Communities and companies, politicians and policy-makers, economists and environmentalists…..all sides of the debate, making their case but listening to and seeking to understand the arguments of others as well.” Also “All sides in this debate need to approach the issue with fresh eyes.”

 


 

‘Agree among yourselves over airport capacity’, says minister (Simon Burns)

6 February 2013 (Travel Trade Gazette)

By Lucy Siebert  (full speech at Simon Burns speech 30.1.2013)

The transport minister has told the aviation industry it must reach “consensus” before the debate on aviation capacity can move forward.

Simon Burns was speaking at the annual British Air Transport Association (BATA) dinner in London, where he said the aviation debate needed agreement from within the industry itself.

“Progress is being squeezed between the rock of local issues and the hard place of national interests,” he said.

“This is the most difficult debate in transport – and I’m the minster who was responsible for reforming the NHS before joining the DfT,” Burns added.

“Many of us fly and reap the economic rewards; but many of us also live in affected areas… We need to sit down and work together and reach agreements that we can all buy into,” he continued.

Burns also took the opportunity to defend the government’s decision to set up the Davies Commission.

The body chaired by Sir Howard Davies is tasked with independently assessing the options for expanding aviation capacity, with an interim report due before the end of this year.

Critics have, however, argued that the government set up the commission as a delaying tactic to avoid it having to make any unpopular decisions ahead of the next general election in 2015.

“The Airport Commission is anything but a delaying tactic – it is the best opportunity for a decision to move aviation forward. Its establishment is a historic step,” said Burns.

His comments came the week before details were leaked about Heathrow’s plans to potentially spend £3 billion on additional infrastructure at the airport.

Commentators have said this could be a signal that the airport is confident it is still backed by the government.

The investment covers the period between 2014 and 2019 but will also be accompanied by increased airline charges, with rises in costs per passenger expected to rise well above inflation.

http://www.ttgdigital.com/agree-among-yourselves-over-airport-capacity/4686588.article

 

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(full speech at Simon Burns speech 30.1.2013)
Some excerpts from the speech:
” Year after year the dominant sound in this debate has been the deafening drumbeat of disagreement.
“And progress has been squeezed to a standstill between the rock of local issues and the hard place of national priorities.”and

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“Well, to reach that common ground we need consensus.  Consensus between politicians, across communities and yes…even within the aviation industry itself.”and

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“Neither the Government, the aviation industry or the anti-aviation lobby has a monopoly on wisdom.
“And we can’t kid ourselves that we can do what we want, where we want just as long as we shout loud enough.
“Instead, all sides in this debate need to approach the issue with fresh eyes.”
and
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“The Commission will make a difference. It will change the future of aviation because it’s going to change the terms of the debate.

“So its establishment is an historic step.

“But don’t get me wrong. As fundamental and crucial as this radical approach is, it doesn’t mean that Britain is in the grip of an aviation crisis.

“As this event reminds us, we are home to world-class airports, world-class airlines and a world-class tourism industry.

“It’s also a fact that our country and our Capital are right up there with the very best when it comes to international connections.

“But in a global marketplace that will be increasingly dominated by emerging economic giants like India, China and Brazil, Britain cannot afford anything other than a modern, fit for purpose aviation industry in the years ahead.

“That means we need to plan ahead, but we also need to move as quickly as possible once plans are agreed.”

and

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“This is everybody’s business. We all have a stake in the outcome, and so we all need to be part of the process….

· Participating and engaging with the Commission.

· Being proactive. Looking for answers that meet the country’s needs.

· Communities and companies, politicians and policy-makers, economists and environmentalists…..all sides of the debate, making their case but listening to and seeking to understand the arguments of others as well.

· Reaching out for that consensus, finding that common ground. ”