UK transport secretary Philip Hammond announced plans to launch a full aviation policy review, the first for seven years. The review was announced at the Airport Operators Association conference yesterday.
Hammond first sought to reassure delegates that the coalition government was not “anti-aviation”, a view held by many in the industry due to its very early move to cancel new runways when it first came to power. However, a review of the runway policy will not form part of the plan. The plan will however examine ways in which the industry can “decarbonise” through using innovative technology, such as the use of composites to construct lighter and more fuel-efficient aircraft.
The review, which will be the first published since 2003, will begin in 2011, with a consultation paper scheduled for 2012.