p22 Air Sept25 21/9/09 15:32 Page 22
Air
Chris Gray
020 7921 8003
cgray@ttglive.com
For the latest news about flights, airlines and airports, visit ttglive.com/air
Guest comment Tony Hallwood risks attached to continuing to levy increased
and unwarranted taxes upon UK aviation and
World’s airlines eyeing
the associated travel industry when global
competition is alive and well.
It was interesting to see our European
competitors at Routes highlighting the future
UK’s regional airports
economic benefits to airlines by flying into
Europe and not the UK. They were
understandably promoting their governments’
sensible reversals or reductions in a number of
aviation-related taxes on the consumer.
A global aviation gathering last week showed how carriers
Given the economic climate and the need to
are looking to fly direct to UK regions, says Tony Hallwood, stimulate rather than dampen demand, our
commercial director at Leeds Bradford International airport
competitors in the EU are stealing a march on
business. A level playing field really should be
made available to the UK.
Finally, it was remarkable to see how China is
embracing the tourist pound with its excellent
infrastructure and high-quality hotels, alongside
investment in marketing of its tourism product.
All delegates received a welcome from smiling
faces and courteous staff, all eager to please
the international visitor. This fascinating
country will become one of the main drivers of
international tourism over the next decade.
Routes of recovery: Tony Hallwood was buoyed by airlines’ plans for new routes outlined at the Routes forum in China
MORE THAN 2,500 airline
“Our airport
both business and tourism
and airport representatives development outside
attended the 15th World competitors London, deliver new jobs B
A
A Limited
Route Development Forum
in Europe are
and drive overseas visitors Call for collaboration: A World Tourism and Air
in Beijing last week despite to our regions, including Services summit was held alongside the Routes
the impact of recession on stealing a march Yorkshire. conference to encourage airports and tourism
global demand for busi-
with reduced
UK airports, which authorities to work more closely together.
ness and leisure travel. attended the Routes More than 75 tourism authorities attended
The Routes event aviation taxes” conference in strength, are the summit, which was organised by Routes
saw the first shoots of now waking up to the fact and the Pacific Asia Travel Association.
optimism for the travel that there are new route Routes tourism development director Gerard
industry as airlines worldwide commenced their opportunities that can help to shape their Brown said: “There is still a tendency for airports
route planning for the next decade of air travel. future business and deliver a wider range of and tourism authorities to work independently.
What was clear from the forum is that new services for their customers. This sometimes leads to misunderstandings
regional airports such as Leeds Bradford can What is also clear is that the UK aviation in- about what airlines and operators are seeking.”
look to the future with confidence as dustry must start to fight back regarding the Brown said it was increasingly important for
international airlines increasingly want to unacceptable levels of government taxation, airports to work closely with city development
bypass hub airports and introduce a range of especially in terms of Air Passenger Duty. agencies and tourism authorities to understand
direct services to key UK cities. For an industry that generates significant what airlines needed to set up routes.
This will provide improved connectivity for economic value for UK plc there are inherent
22 25.09.2009
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