Mott MacDonald’s Post

We welcome the Chancellor’s support for the aviation industry and recognition of the critical role we play for the economy and in delivering growth across the UK. Heathrow is the UK’s gateway to growth and prosperity. A third runway and the infrastructure that comes with it would unlock billions of pounds of private money to stimulate the UK supply chain during construction. Once built, it would create jobs and drive trade, tourism and inward investment to every part of the country. It would also give airlines and passengers the competitive, resilient hub airport they expect while putting the UK back on the map at the heart of the global economy. With strict environmental safeguards, it would demonstrate that by growing our economy responsibly we can ensure our commitments to future generations are delivered. This is the bold, responsible vision the UK needs to thrive in the 21st century, and I thank the Government and Chancellor for their leadership. It has given us the confidence to confirm our continued support for expanding Heathrow. Successfully delivering the project at pace requires policy change – particularly around necessary airspace modernisation and making the regulatory model fit for purpose. We will now work with the Government on the expected planning reform and support Ministers to deliver the changes which will set us on track to securing planning permission before the end of this Parliament.

Heathrow has been Virgin Atlantic’s home base for over three decades, and like many, I’ve been following today’s update closely from Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves on London airports expansion. A thriving aviation sector is crucial to the success of the Chancellor’s growth agenda. Heathrow is critical national infrastructure and the UK’s only hub airport, enabling connectivity and trade to global markets, yet it remains the world’s most expensive airport with a service that falls short. We are supportive of responsible growth and expansion at Heathrow, if there is fundamental reform to the regulatory model to ensure value for money for consumers, affordability for UK plc and support for a competitive UK aviation industry. As our Government commits to support growth across London airports it’s imperative that they are also taking action to create a thriving UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry, one of the main nearer term levers we have to decarbonise long-haul aviation. Virgin Atlantic and its partners demonstrated in November 2023, through Flight100 that the barrier is not operational. 100% SAF can be flown in existing engines, airframes and fuel infrastructure. A pathway to Net Zero 2050 exists and we have to achieve it by unwavering commitment, relentless focus and tangible steps forward. #VirginAtlantic #Heathrow #ThirdRunway

✈️ Major Airport Expansions could be on the Horizon for the UK ✈️ The UK government is weighing up significant airport expansions as part of a broader push to boost economic growth, including: 📈 expansion at London Gatwick Airport to increase capacity to 75 million passengers a year 🏗️ proposals at London Luton Airport for a second terminal 🛫 a potential project for a third runway at Heathrow Airport A decision on Gatwick's expansion is expected by 27th February, with Luton's expected by 3rd April. If these expansions proceed, they will play a key role in supporting trade, business growth and the UK's position as a global hub for investment. #aviation #airportexpansion #Heathrow #Gatwick #Luton 📎 https://lnkd.in/e_-XNZe2

What’s coming up for UK transport and the economy? Journalist and broadcaster Ben Kentish shared his views at the ITM Autumn conference this morning… ✈️ Air passenger duty: “Even though there’s a strong case for cutting or at least freezing APD, I would not be surprised if the government looks at [increasing] that and private jet taxation” in the forthcoming Budget. 🚝 High-speed rail: “I think there’s appetite for investment in infrastructure and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they [the government] confirm HS2’s extension to Euston but also reverse some of the previous government’s decisions and extend it to Crewe.” 🛫 Airport expansion: “I think the government will commit to the third runway at Heathrow. They know they need to get the economy going. This government is going to prioritise economic growth.” 🇪🇺 EU relations: “This government, compared to the previous one, is much more concerned with working closely with the EU.” #ITM2024 #businesstravel #travelmanagement #corporatetravel ITM | Institute of Travel Management

The United Kingdom's economy has faced significant decline since the Brexit vote. Despite the Labour government's critical stance on aviation due to environmental concerns, it views expanding London's airports and increasing connectivity as a crucial step to stimulate much-needed economic growth.

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act have created a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the US to tackle its ageing transportation networks and energy supplies. But new laws and public borrowing cannot do it alone; this is how private capital helps close the funding gap. Today, an article from Bloomberg shows that airline passengers in the US are finally starting to discover the benefits of private investment in airports, which flyers all across Europe and in Australia have enjoyed for years. Read the article here ➡ https://lnkd.in/enTkcEjc   #infrastructureinvestment #infrastructurefinance #iija #inflationreductionact #airports #USAinfrastructure #privatecapital

The Chancellor's speech in Oxford today contained some important transport announcements. Not least that the Government is backing a third runway at Heathrow. If the Government is determined to expand airports, add hundreds of thousands of additional flights to the skies and increase carbon emissions by millions of tonnes each year, then it needs to end aviation fuel's tax-free status. With airlines now set to cash in on future flights, it’s the perfect time for the aviation industry to start paying its fair share of fuel tax with the money raised invested in clean, sustainable public transport to ensure green growth. In better news, the Chancellor announced a commitment to build new housing around existing and future railway stations and funding for East West Rail. Both are very welcome, but we are disappointed that the line between Oxford and Cambridge will not be electrified. The Government has missed a trick here. Few countries in Europe have built any non-electrified track in recent years and not committing to a fully electric East West Rail looks like a failure to future-proof the project.

🚨 Latest! 🚨 The Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves today confirmed government support for a third runway at Heathrow, saying it was "badly needed" to open up new opportunities for growth. But expanding airports won’t deliver the economic growth the government is desperate to deliver, says our Senior Director of Economics, James Meadway: “The decision to push for a third runway at Heathrow is based on wishful thinking and bad economics. Airport expansion does not significantly add to growth in well-connected developed economies, as the economic evidence now shows. Government time and money would be better spent delivering vital investment in public transport across the rest of the country.” Despite what the aviation industry claims, business travel is a dwindling share of overall flights. Meanwhile, foreign tourists coming into the UK and boosting our economy are outnumbered three to one by UK tourists leaving the UK to spend money abroad. By creating this additional flight capacity, the government is set to ruin its own commitments to reducing emissions and undermine Britain’s international reputation as a climate leader. #heathrow #aviation #airportexpansion

🚨 Big News for the UK Aviation Industry! 🚨 The UK government has officially backed the development of a third runway at Heathrow Airport, a monumental decision that will expand capacity and bolster the nation's global connectivity. 🌍✈️ This long-awaited approval has the potential to transform the UK’s aviation landscape, enhancing travel options, boosting trade, and generating thousands of jobs in the process. While the green light to proceed comes with the usual scrutiny around environmental impact, the strategic benefits of increased capacity are undeniable. What are your thoughts on this development? How do you think this will reshape the future of air travel in the UK and globally? #aviation #airportexpansion #Heathrow #futureofaviation https://lnkd.in/esTZz9JM

Hopefully good news for UK Aviation and, depending on your viewpoint, good news for UK PLC in general. Whilst more efficient aircraft, SAF, ground movements as well as ATC operating procedures all have a part to play, it will still be a challenge to work out now how to fit these into our legally binding sustainability targets .. Norman Broadbent Plc #aviation #heathrow #gatwick #saf #normanbroadbent https://lnkd.in/dbAN4ZYz