Environment campaigners hit out at the Government’s strategy for aviation expansion Environmentalists have hit out at Government proposals to expand the UK aviation industry with passenger numbers expected to soar by […]

Environmentalists have hit out at Government proposals to expand the UK aviation industry with passenger numbers expected to soar by 53 percent over the next three decades.

The Government has published the green paper on its aviation strategy – the Aviation 2050 consultation – which it says will help secure the industry’s future.

It was launched today as the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling flew to Switzerland to sign a deal to ensure continued flights to and from the country after Brexit.

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The consultation document says: “The Government welcomes the industry’s future expansion. However, its growth must be sustainable – with affected communities supported and the environment protected.”

The move has been welcomed by the CBI, whose head of infrastructure Dan Large hailed the document as a “once in a generation opportunity to set a clear direction for UK aviation and to answer key questions on issues such as sustainable growth”.

But Dr Doug Parr, chief scientist for Greenpeace UK, said the “expansionist strategy” would mean other UK industries will need to be constrained if the UK is to meet its targets to tackle “catastrophic climate change”.

He said: “Expanding aviation cannot be reconciled with a diverse and sustainable economy.”

Campaigners have also accused the Government of “leaving open the door” to a fourth runway at Heathrow.

Aviation is worth more than £22bn to the UK economy and supports 230,000 jobs, but the document warns it faces “major challenges” and “must remain competitive on the global stage”.

China is rapidly expanding it transport infrastructure and plans to build 66 new airports over the next five years. Beijing’s second airport will have seven runways and process 72 million passengers a year when it opens in 2019.

Dubai handled 87.7 million international passengers last year.

The document says protectionist economic policies and travel restrictions could have a potential impact on global passenger numbers, but the UK is “continuing to advance the case for free trade and open access to aviation markets, especially as it leaves the EU”.

The Government proposals include a new passenger charter and a move to “modernise” airspace to ensure quicker journeys and reduce congestion, noise and emissions.

Proposals also include commitments to agreeing more routes with countries around the world to boost trade and tourism and encourage greater competition and more choice for passengers.

UK aviation in figures Aviation is worth £22bn to the UK economy. The industry provides 230,000 jobs in 4,500 businesses. Passenger numbers could soar from 284 million last year to 435 million by 2050. The UK has direct connections to 370 destinations in more than 100 countries. The UK exports £85bn worth of goods by air to countries outside the EU in 2017.

The document outlines measures to cut emissions and noise for communities alongside tougher enforcement measures.

It says UK aviation accounts for around seven percent of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, which is likely to increase as “other sectors such as energy and manufacturing decarbonise more quickly”.

“This means that aviation could represent 25 percent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” it says.

Applications for growth must demonstrate they will not prevent the UK’s ability to meet its climate targets.

The strategy will also seek to support regional growth and connectivity, delivering greater capacity at UK airports and driving competition between airlines to deliver better value for money for customers.

It says the Government is supportive of airports beyond Heathrow “making best use of their existing runways, subject to proposals being assessed in light of environmental and economic impacts”.

Further runways

But it adds: “The Government will need to consider whether there is a need for further runways. Based on the current evidence, the Government believes that any new framework for growth could accommodate additional runways beyond 2030 if a needs case is proven and suitable conditions are met in respect of sustainability.”

It proposes to ask the National Infrastructure Commission to include airport capacity in future national infrastructure assessments to determine whether there is a case for further runways.

The document adds: At this stage the government’s preferred approach is an NPS [National Policy Statement] to set out the criteria but not name specific airports, so leaving it to industry to determine whether and when to bring forward applications.“

Passenger numbers at UK airports could soar from 284 million to 435 million by 2050.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: “Airlines look forward to continuing to work with ministers to create a strategy that helps to deliver sustainable growth in our sector, to connect UK families and businesses domestically and to the world, deliver value for money and further improve the travelling experience for all passengers.”

Aviation minister Baroness Sugg said: “Our aviation sector is world-leading and the Aviation 2050 strategy will promote success in the coming decades.

”Our ambition is to expand our international connections, boost trade and investment and strengthen domestic links to support businesses and travelling passengers.“