Airlines 2023 Agenda
For several years, the industry has made repeated calls for the UK Government to return to a more ambitious vision for aviation. Following extensive industry engagement, ‘Flightpath to the Future, a strategic framework for the aviation sector’ was published in May 2022. As a medium-term policy framework does it go far enough to bring forward policies that support economic growth? Is the implementation on track, and how can the recently created Aviation Council hold to account those tasked with delivery? How should the short and medium-term priorities feed into longer term policy needs? Can the UK leverage aviation as a key driver for growth and prosperity across the whole of the UK?
Moderator: Philip Georgiadis
Transport Correspondent
Financial Times
The UK has historically been central to the global aviation networks with London a preeminent hub. Does the UK still hold strong destination appeal in overseas markets and is it providing an attractive commercial and operating environment for the world’s airlines? From workforce to cost base, and surface connectivity to regulation, what are the key areas than can be improved upon and made more competitive. Where does the UK still lead? What would it take to attract investment in new routes and services, including to the UK regions?
Changing consumer expectations, transformative technologies and the rise of new business models create threats and challenges for the airline industry – but also extraordinary possibilities. What if the transformation of the industry was dependent on rethinking the role and the scope of the brands that operate within it? By combining fresh customer insight, compelling brand transformation cases and new ways of thinking of the competition, new paths for growth can be found – helping travellers, airlines and the sector at large change and thrive.
The future growth of the UK as a major aviation market is dependent on the sector showing it can grow sustainably. The UK has clear ambitions on this through its Jet Zero initiative, but is it ambitious enough in the face of the US Inflation Reduction Act and the EU’s Green Deal Industrial Plan? Is the UK attracting the right levels of investment and can the UK stay ahead as a global leader in green growth and set the global lead on aviation sustainability? Ultimately, what needs to be done to ensure it takes its place as a global aviation sustainability superpower.
Based on the latest IATA forecasts, annual traffic to and from the UK is set to return to pre-pandemic levels in early 2024, with summer 2023 demand expected to exceed 2019 levels. Will the UK’s aviation infrastructure meet the revised long term growth forecast? Through the lens of the entire airspace, airport and surface connectivity ecosystem, what needs to be done to ensure UK aviation infrastructure is fit for purpose and future proof? In the face of the sustainability challenge, is airspace reform keeping pace with the needed changes and will new runway capacity be added in the UK where is it most needed?
Closing remarks
Networking drinks reception