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Airfreight operations at Birmingham Airport.
Monitoring regional airport development
Safety Agency (EASA) approvals and licences to their UK CAA equivalents by the end of the year. From 1 January 2023, the UK will no longer be able to recognise EASA-issued certificates, approvals and licences for the operations and/or maintenance of UK registered aircraft. The UK Department for Transport has identified in its Future Freight Plan the value that regional airports bring to the four nations of the UK for freight movements. For instance, important nightly Royal Mail operations fly from Birmingham Airport to Belfast International. Regional network In Scotland, the airfreight network is used extensively for time-sensitive critical goods such as supplies to the islands. Other airports, like Bournemouth Airport, are diversifying their operations to facilitate more trade by expanding their cargo operation. Demand for e-commerce shows no sign of abating and regional airports are already showing their ability to handle such shipments and wish to develop this further. Figures show that more than 80% of UK airfreight is currently handled by just three airports. In the light of the wider economic developments, changing priorities and environmental challenges there is scope for development of regional airports. Consideration must be given to ascertaining whether airport development can be aligned with port development centring on freeports to create transport development, which will further enhance regional economic growth and benefits.
The government’s recently published Future Freight Plan has identified the value that regional airports bring for UK freight movements
For some time, BIFA has monitored the growth of regionalism in the UK, which has links to the government’s ‘levelling up’ programme and environmental pressure that cargo should arrive as close as possible to the point of final delivery. In particular, we have noted a gradual shift to cargo arriving at regional airports as evidenced by the recent announcement regarding the re- opening of Manston Airport for cargo operations. A new long-term plan, via a government national strategy, will be crucial in delivering growth and meeting future challenges in the UK’s regional air cargo sector. Regional & City Airports (RCA) reported solid freight volumes during the pandemic at its managed airports in Norwich, Bournemouth and Exeter. The emphasis now is on the government’s recently published Future Freight Plan developed in partnership with the wider industry, including BIFA. The new plan, published in July, recognises the importance of international freight and
logistics providers to the UK economy. The document tackles the challenges facing the freight sector as a whole to ensure it remains cost efficient, resilient and provides attractive career opportunities. Also, it recognises the important role regional airports can play in serving local business needs which may ease the overcrowding in the London airport system. Airport closure Running counter to this positive background, and despite some significant cross-party political support, the disturbing closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport was announced in September. A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said the decision by its owners to close the airport was “incredibly disappointing” but it “strongly encouraged” local leaders to work together to find a solution. There are concerns about the looming deadline for transitioning from The European Aviation
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November 2022
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