Regional Gateway editor Chloë Greenbank summarises the latest happenings across airports serving business, regional and low-fare routes.

With the UK’s general election looming on the 12 December and the country still no clearer as to where this will leave us with Brexit, the UK’s airport operators and industry leaders (alongside Regional Gateway of course)  are convening in London for the Airport Operators Association’s (AOA’s) annual conference.

The focus for this year’s gathering is on aviation’s changing landscape with speakers exploring some of the dramatic events that have taken place this year and how they are impacting aviation. Climate change will also be addressed with Karen Dee, CEO of AOA, agreeing that its ‘manifesto’ sets out an ambitious agenda for the next UK government.

“We look forward to working with Ministers and officials to enable aviation to play its full part in helping to secure the UK’s future prosperity and its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” she said.

AOA released its ‘general election manifesto’ on 22 November. It outlined five priorities: To deliver a national aviation policy that supports sustainable growth; prioritise a new legal framework for the UK’s aviation connectivity after Brexit; support industry in modernising UK’s airspace; ensure the UK’s border regime is secure but welcoming; and review and reform Air Passenger Duty to boost the UK’s international competitiveness.

Dee also highlighted that “aviation is one of the UK’s success stories, employing more than a million people across the country and enabling businesses to reach new and existing customers with ease. With the right support and policy framework, we can do better still, delivering more value and choice for UK consumers and businesses across the whole of the UK, as well as supporting a future government’s sustainability agenda.”

It’s certainly a busy week for AOA. To enhance risk mitigation practices and to enable its members to participate in the creation of a more resilient industry overall, the association announced its partnership with Willis Tower Watson, a global advisory, broking and solutions company on Monday 25 November. The agreement also reflects Willis Towers Watson’s commitment to the aviation and airport industry as it navigates a diverse and evolving range of business risks.

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