Airport chief set to tell peers Birmingham should be expanded
THE chief executive of Birmingham Airport is to speak at a national conference aimed at determining the future of the UK’s civil aviation sector.
Paul Kehoe will address the Airport Operators Association’s 2016 annual conference on utilising spare capacity within the UK’s regional airport network.
The airport has been a major advocate of utilising the spare capacity within the regions rather than concentrating all growth efforts on London and the South East.
The airport was disappointed by the Government’s decision last month to commit to a new runway at Heathrow without inviting Birmingham to commit to further expansion, including the possibility of a second runway.
The growth potential offered by the development of HS2 and a new interchange at the airport is said to mitigate the case for the airport expanding its facilities.
It already has a strong case, the most recent set of passenger statistics show a volume boost for the twentieth consecutive month.
Mr Kehoe will be hoping to persuade the Government to look again at the airport’s case.
He will have the right audience as Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has been confirmed as another speaker at the event.
He will be joined by Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary and IAG and British Airways boss, Willie Walsh.
Wider issues set to be debated will include the impact of Brexit on the travel industry, aviation tax, sustainability, security, and passenger experience.
Darren Caplan, chief executive of the AOA, said: “With so much going on, never has there been a better time to hold this conference with so many senior players participating across UK and European aviation.
“The announcement on a new runway at Heathrow and crucial need to grow and make the most of existing capacity around the UK, the challenges and opportunities now being discussed around Brexit, the recently signed ICAO global carbon deal, (and) the looming Autumn Statement setting out the latest on Air Passenger Duty will all be discussed.”
