IATA: Jobs at risk if UK Air Transport Competitiveness not protected

(London) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that up to 120,000 jobs supported by air transport could be at risk from erosion of UK air transport competitiveness. By contrast, employment could rise by 200,000 if the UK invests in cost-effective runway expansion, abolishes or reduces Air Passenger Duty (APD), and improves visa processes.
A new report published by IATA, United Kingdom Air Transport Regulatory Competitiveness Indicators, reveals that whilst air transport’s contribution to the UK economy is currently significant, supporting 1.56 million jobs and contributing GBP 89 billion to UK GDP, there is a risk that employment could fall to 1.44 million by 2037 unless policies are adopted to facilitate continued growth of aviation.
The study suggests three key recommendations for air transport to continue its growth trajectory and generate even more value in the UK.
- London Heathrow operates at over 99% capacity, and Gatwick is also approaching full capacity as the world’s busiest single-runway airport. Cost-effective development of additional airport capacity in the South East of England is therefore an urgent priority.
- The UK ranks last out of 148 nations for the level of passenger and airport charges and taxes. These high costs are a drag on the viability of new connections. In particular, the UK should abolish or at a minimum, reduce APD – the world’s highest air passenger tax.
- The visa and border experience acts as a deterrent to travel to the UK, and must be improved. As a non-Schengen member, the UK requires a separate visa application, but this process is costly, complex and time-consuming. Similarly, border entry times are often too long.
“As an island, the UK is uniquely dependent on air transport in order to connect itself to the world. It is no coincidence that the UK ranks very highly for the strength of its route network. But this network—and the 1.6 million jobs that depend on aviation—cannot be taken for granted. If the industry is not nurtured, as many as 120,000 jobs could be lost. On the other hand, the tremendous economic and social benefits of aviation could be enhanced if the government adopts policies to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness. The chief priorities must be to increase airport capacity, cut APD, the world’s highest air passenger tax, and improve the visa and border process,” said Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Europe.
Alongside discussing a competitiveness agenda for the UK, IATA and its members are committed to working to tackle the challenge posed by climate change.
“The aviation industry is determined to play its part in creating a sustainable world. From next year, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) will help us achieve carbon-neutral growth. And by 2050, new technologies, sustainable fuels, and better operations will enable us to cut carbon emissions to half 2005 levels. That puts air transport in line with the goals of the Paris climate agreement,” said Schvartzman.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Martin Roell
05/12 23:32
New single framework for insolvent borrowers to be launched in Greece
05/12 23:21
Greek President urges for dialogue among cultures at Academy of Athens event
05/12 23:11
Athens approves Vatican’s ‘humanitarian corridor’ for asylum seekers
05/12 23:04
Prime Minister: Greece relies on EU solidarity to address refugee crisis
05/12 22:47
4.52 billion in tax arrears covered by 120-month installment plan in Greece
05/12 22:25
The Travel lists 20 tips by Santorini locals for tourists in iconic Greek island
05/12 18:44
Moon rocks from Apollo 11 on display at Athens National Observatory
05/12 16:35
Greek Diaspora Minister Diamataris's statement following his resignation
05/12 14:21
05/12 14:06
ELSTAT: Greek economy grew 2.3% during third quarter of 2019
05/12 10:55
Athens International Science Film Festival returns for 13th consecutive year
05/12 10:32
Religious Tourism: Visit Monastery of Agia Varvara Roussanou in Meteora
04/12 23:16
New platform support vessel commissioned by Hellenic Navy at Salamina
04/12 22:43
UK PM Boris Johnson unveils he reads Greek poetry to relax (video)
04/12 22:16
Northern Greek city of Thessaloniki in search of its very own Santa Claus
04/12 22:10
Tourism's carbon emissions measured in UNWTO report at COP25 (video)
04/12 22:06
Fly safely and drink responsibly campaign launched in Norway
04/12 21:07
Piraeus manager Cosco takes share in Bilk container terminal in Hungary
04/12 20:52
Telecom provider Wind Hellas to get first offers during this month
04/12 20:39
First relief for Greece's tax-battered middle class after 10 years of crisis
04/12 20:09
US Ambassador hails reopening of Neorion Shipyard on Greek island of Syros
04/12 19:57
Greek PM backs North Macedonia and Albania European Union hopes
04/12 19:40
04/12 19:24
Greek Tourism Minister announces targeted action plan for U.S. market
04/12 19:17
Religious Tourism: Catholic Archbishop of Malta visits Ecumenical Patriarchate
04/12 18:58
US Ambassador in Athens warns that China may use cash-hungry Greece
04/12 18:30
Minister: University reform to include performance-linked funding in Greece
04/12 18:00
EU "in full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus" on Turkey-Libya MoU
04/12 17:35
26W T-bill auction by Greece nets €812.5 million with negative yield of 0.02%
04/12 16:15
Air Cargo peak season off to slow beginning during October 2019
04/12 14:24
Average full-time private sector monthly salary in Greece reaches €1,166.76 in May
04/12 12:47
04/12 10:10
Greek PM to address meeting on the sidelines of NATO's anniversary
04/12 01:37
Minister: Bilateral relations between Greece and Israel at an exceptional level
04/12 01:27
Greek PM discusses tourism investments with top fund managers in London
04/12 01:16
Greek PM to meet with Turkish President on the sidelines of the NATO Summit
04/12 00:52
City Break report: Visiting popular Greektown spots in Detroit
04/12 00:07
Greek health monitoring startup attracts attention of Johnson & Johnson
03/12 23:51
Prime Minister: Greece fully supports EU targets to fight climate change
03/12 22:44
Greek Foreign Minister meets with EU Representative for Foreign Affairs
03/12 22:35
Bank of Greece chief working towards other systemic solutions for NPLs
03/12 22:20
Technical solution for Thessaloniki Metro Venizelou Station greenlighted
03/12 21:05
State Department: Turkey-Libya zones deal 'unhelpful and provocative'
03/12 20:52
Piraeus Bank staff on strike actions on Wednesday and Thursday over layoffs
03/12 16:36
European Union seeks clarifications from Cyprus over citizenship scheme
03/12 16:10
Greek Labour Minister unveils plans for transition to digital age
03/12 14:34
Survey: Samaria Gorge attracts tourists to Greek island of Crete
03/12 14:04
Cold front from the Balkans to affect Greece from Tuesday to Thursday
03/12 12:52
European Union Refugee Commissioner promises that Greece will get help
03/12 10:56
Greek artist Dimitris Papaioannou debuts at Brooklyn Academy of Music
03/12 03:52
Boost for efforts to curb unruly passengers as MP14 comes into force
03/12 03:36
Farmers to block highways across central Greece on December 4
03/12 02:58
03/12 02:21
Names unveiled of 26 affluent foreigners stripped of Cypriot passports
03/12 02:17
Greek Foreign Ministry tables migration returns proposal in Brussels
03/12 01:55
Public and MediaMarkt form biggest omnichannel retailer in Greece and Cyprus
02/12 22:14
800 Ancient Roman amphorae confirm 6th AD shipwreck off Akrotiri-Dreamers Bay in Cyprus
02/12 22:03
Greek Prime Minister to meet US President on January 7 in Washington DC
02/12 20:57
02/12 20:19
Christmas lights at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens
02/12 18:46
Eurogroup expected to greenlight €767 million tranche to Greece on Wednesday
02/12 18:00
Christmas in Athens commences with tree lighting at the Grande Bretagne
02/12 16:53
Traveler Awards 2019 Russia: Greece voted best beach holiday destination for 2019
02/12 16:41
UNWTO welcomes fellow United Nations agencies to Madrid for start of COP25
02/12 14:59
Survey: Which? unveils best and worst travel price comparison platforms
02/12 14:30
Greek government announces own 'social dividend' for 200K households
02/12 12:40
Greek Prime Minister attends UN Climate Change Summit in Madrid
02/12 10:50
CEOWorld’s Best Hotels on Greek island of Kefalonia for business travelers
01/12 15:08
01/12 15:04
Even funeral services join new Black Friday frenzy across Greece (video)
01/12 14:58
Cyprus strips Kenyan billionaire of residency permit and EU passport
01/12 14:44
Greece plans €44 billion investments to shed fossil fuels over next decade
01/12 14:32
Greek Archbishop Ieronymos to pay old homeless couple’s rent and bills
01/12 14:24
Greek Foreign Minister to meet Egyptian counterpart Shoukry on Sunday
01/12 14:08
Greek-speaking former child soldier wins Australia’s 2019 HESTA Aged Care Award
01/12 11:57
Albanian Prime Minister Rama thanks Greek people for support after tremor
30/11 21:47
President: Cyprus a reliable partner of the Russian business community
30/11 14:47
ItalianTrainOSE owners to invest €2.5 billion in Greece within 9 years
30/11 14:43
Athens Stock Exchange breaks above 900-point level to new 2019 highs
30/11 14:37
Use of mobile phones grows ten times following EU ban on roaming charges
30/11 14:27
British Residence Open Day organized in Athens on Sunday, December 15
30/11 14:20
Unemployment across Eurozone drops to lowest levels since July 2008
30/11 14:15
Greek Public Power Corporation reports lower losses in January-September
30/11 14:08
AP reports: Cyprus to tighten controls on crossings across ethnic divide
30/11 14:03
Saronikos municipality near Athens collects essentials for earthquake-stricken Albania
30/11 13:56
Health Tourism: Largest IVF clinic in Southeastern Europe launched in Greece
30/11 11:27
Greek PM Mitsotakis and US President Trump's working lunch in London
30/11 03:17
Free entrance to Greek museums and sites on first Sunday of every month
30/11 03:09
UNWTO launches first shopping tourism pilot project in Leon, Mexico
30/11 00:20
Preparations for Athens Hellinikon project casino in the finishing line
29/11 22:21
Greek government tables long-awaited bill for middle class and firm tax breaks
29/11 22:16
29/11 19:26
Anti-climate change protest organized in Athens’ central Syntagma Square
29/11 19:20
Greece's ruling party ND's National Congress opens in Athens on Friday
29/11 19:13
AP: Black Friday frenzy goes global inciting mixed reactions
29/11 19:01
Greek PM asks for French and European support ahead of NATO-EU summits
29/11 18:55
Cyprus revokes Golden Visas for three Russians, including one billionaire
29/11 18:46
New National Energy Plan in Greece: €43.8 billion investments by 2030
29/11 18:30
Greek-Australian singer VASSY’s new single ‘Trouble’ hits Top-10 in US (video)
29/11 15:56
MInister: International markets and investors see the big picture for Greece
Inscription found in Paleochoria links goddess Artemis to Amarynthos sanctuary
Ryanair urges Brits to start thinking summer 2017 holiday bookings already
World Boutique Hotel Awards 2015: Golden distinction for Silver Island Yoga
“The Thread”: Greek tradition meets modern dance in Europe and Athens
Egyptian tourism: Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal invests $800 million in new hotels
Studies for rail connection of Patras to industrial area and airport
City Break report: Visiting popular Greektown spots in Detroit
German tourism: Tour operators see terrorism as top challenge in 2016
Bank of Greece governor Stournaras: Greece needs 'investment shock'
Medical Tourism: Greek Health Minister meets Israeli Ambassador to Athens
New platform support vessel commissioned by Hellenic Navy at Salamina
Greek President urges for dialogue among cultures at Academy of Athens event
Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox Orphanage requires €40 million restoration
Four bidders express interest in tender for Athens' metro line 4
Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson play soccer on Greek islands (videos)
Greek Metsovio Polytechnic celebrates 180-year anniversary in Athens
ACVB on 2015 IBTM exhibition: Steady interest for conferences in Athens
US Ambassador to Athens Pyatt: Greece is now a source of solutions