Jobs and passengers at the heart of Government’s ten-point plan for aviation

Government launches 10 point strategy to get aviation off the ground post pandemic

The government has launched its ten-point strategy for the aviation sector as it recovers from the pandemic.

A New Aviation Passenger Charter will ensure consumers know their rights when flying and an
Aviation Council is to be established to bring the aviation sector together to learn the lessons of the pandemic and grow back sustainably.

Launched by Aviation Minister Robert Courts during a visit to Heathrow Airport, Flightpath to the Future aims to rebuild consumer confidence, build back sustainably from the pandemic, support jobs across the country and build a skilled and diverse workforce that’s fit for the future.

The delivery of the new ten-point plan will be supported by an all-new Aviation Council made up of airlines, airports and wider representatives from the aviation sector, as well as ministers and officials from both the UK government and devolved administrations.

The government says the Council will work to use the lessons learned from the pandemic to support recovery and make air travel better for passengers and better for the planet.

As outlined in the strategy, the government will launch a new Aviation Passenger Charter later this year, a one-stop guide for consumers informing them of their rights and what they can reasonably expect of the aviation industry when flying.

The Charter will be developed in partnership with industry and consumer groups to help rebuild consumer confidence in air travel following the pandemic.

Aviation Minister Robert Courts said: “The pandemic posed an existential threat to the aviation sector. Now recovery has started, we have a chance to build back better than ever before.

“Through this new strategy, I’m setting out ten priorities to ensure we build an industry that’s not only fit for the future, but one that’s world-leading.

“By working closely with the sector to focus on sustainable growth, powered by the latest innovations, we can ensure aviation creates jobs and opportunities across all four nations of the UK.”

The government will also later this year publish its Jet Zero Strategy, which it says will set out its vision for how the aviation sector can reach net zero by 2050.

Airport Operators Association Chief Executive Karen Dee said: “Post-pandemic, it is vital government and airports work together to rebuild and grow those links to support jobs and create new economic opportunities across all UK regions.

“It is vital that the government not only provide policy certainty to achieve a UK-wide recovery but also back their ambitions with funding. UK airports come out of the pandemic in a worse financial position than many of their international competitors, who received significantly more generous funds from their governments to weather the pandemic.”