Message to UK airports: "When you succeed, so does the UK" - The Airport Operators Association
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THE AIRPORT
OPERATOR
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
CHRIS
GRAYLING’S
message to UK airports:
“When you succeed,
so does the UK”
Features
BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT LUTON AIRPORT
on track to deliver a 40% growth transformed terminal
in passenger numbers by 2033 to boost reputation
FALCON SHIELD ABERDEEN AIRPORT
system detects, tracks, 2019 will be a year of
SPRING 2019 identifies and defeats drones resurgence for the airport
2 WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
3
ED ANDERSON
Introduction to the Airport Operator
THE AIRPORT
A very warm environmental challenges and place
OPERATOR welcome to the
the passenger at the heart of their
businesses. They also know just how
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
important aviation growth will be to
spring edition the success of the UK economy at
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
of The Airport both national and regional levels.
Ed Anderson
Chairman Operator, As well as the discussions with the
Transport Secretary’s colleagues and
Karen Dee
Chief Executive
published officials on the Aviation Strategy we
have also been grateful for continuous
Richard Atkin to coincide with our 2019 engagement with his Department
Accounts Executive
Annual Dinner at London’s on Brexit-related issues. That has
helped our airports to plan for the full
Jeff Bevan
Policy & Public Affairs Officer Grosvenor House Hotel. range of possible outcomes and we
have been encouraged by the strong
Claire Humphries We are delighted once again to have
Events & Member opposition that has emerged to earlier
so many distinguished guests from European Commission proposals to
Relations Manager
across the aviation sector at what is place an artificial cap on flights by UK
Peter O’Broin now firmly established as the largest airlines from our airports to the EU.
Senior Policy Manager networking dinner in the UK aviation
Patricia Page calendar and especially pleased to In this edition of our magazine you will
Executive Assistant have secured Transport Secretary, find informative contributions not only
& Office Manager Chris Grayling, as our keynote from Chris Grayling, but also from
Tania Roca speaker. Richard Moriarty, Chief Executive of
Operations, Safety the Civil Aviation Authority, and from
He joins us at an eventful time for our Robert Light, Head Commissioner of
& Commercial Director
sector a month before the closing the new Independent Commission
Henk van Klaveren date of his Department’s consultation
Head of Public Affairs & PR
on Civil Aviation Noise. There are
on its Aviation Strategy which will also interviews with three recently-
set the regulatory framework for UK appointed airport CEOs – Steve
AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION aviation for the next 30 years. We Szalay at Aberdeen, Nick Barton at
3 Birdcage Walk, look forward to hearing what he has Birmingham and Alberto Martin at
London SW1H 9JJ to say about that. London Luton.
United Kingdom
The AOA and its member airports will Finally, as many of you will know, I am
be responding in detail to the Green retiring this month as AOA Chairman
T: +44 (0)20 7799 3171
E: info@aoa.org.uk Paper and we have been assisted in to enable me to spend more time in
W: www.aoa.org.uk preparing our responses by a series my new role as Lord-Lieutenant of
of discussions with Department for West Yorkshire. Over the page you
Transport officials on a wide range will find some of my own reflections
Michael Burrell of issues, including consumer policy, on how our industry has changed out
Editor surface access and sustainability. of all recognition in recent decades
It is already clear that we will be and on what the future holds for UK
asking the Government to ensure that airports.
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR
MAGAZINE IS PRODUCED BY the final document sets out a policy Here I should only like to say what an
framework that clearly supports honour it has been to serve as AOA
growth and takes appropriate account Chairman for over a decade, to thank
of the perspectives of the whole my AOA Board colleagues and the
Shimon Speigel range of our airports, from the largest hard-working AOA team, now ably
Creative Director to the smallest, from passenger to led by Karen Dee, and to wish my
Natalia Lacerda freight and including General Aviation. successor well. They will find that
Graphic Designer
We will be re-emphasising that our they are inheriting an Association in
GENIUM airports recognise their responsibility good shape and representing a world-
Studio 27 leading industry poised to make
to develop sustainably, with
Quadrant Business Centre an even greater contribution to our
135 Salusbury Road appropriate policies in place to deal
with both carbon emissions and country’s future success.
London NW6 6RJ
noise. Our airports know that they
T: +44 (0)20 7089 2622 will only secure “a licence to grow” Ed Anderson, AOA Chairman
E: hello@geniumcreative.com if their growth plans deal with our
W: www.geniumcreative.com
4
THE AOA IS PLEASED TO WORK
WITH ITS CORPORATE PARTNERS, AND
GOLD AND SILVER MEMBERS
Corporate Partners
Gold Members
Silver Members
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
5
RETIRING AOA
CHAIRMAN PREDICTS
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR
UK AIRPORTS
Ed Anderson says the industry has changed
“out of all recognition” since the 1980’s
E
d Anderson, who retires as Finance Director, which he held for He traces his involvement with
Chairman of the AOA this month three years. the AOA back to the first annual
after over a decade in the post, conference that he attended in 1982,
forecasts “very good prospects” for In the late 1980s he was Finance noting that he has attended 26 annual
UK airports, as passenger demand Director and deputy CEO at East conferences and 31 annual dinners,
continues to grow. Midlands Airport at a time when 12 of them as Chairman. He was
it was just starting to become AOA Chairman in 2001/2 and then
In a wide-ranging valedictory an important base for freight subsequently Chairman since 2008.
interview with Airport Operator, operations. Although it is now 30
he also expressed pride in the years’ ago, he retains vivid memories
contribution that he had made of the Kegworth air disaster, when
towards establishing the AOA as the a British Midland plane crashed on Turning to
primary representative body for UK
aviation.
the M1 while attempting to make an
emergency landing at East Midlands. changes in the
Looking back over a long career in
He expresses admiration for the
honesty and courage that British
aviation industry
UK airports, Mr Anderson said that Midland owner, Michael Bishop, over recent
decades, he said
the industry had changed out of all showed in handling the aftermath
recognition since the 1990’s, with the of the crash.
rise of low-cost carriers, increasing
emphasis on environmental issues Ed Anderson returned to Leeds one key change
and a new recognition on the part
of Government of the benefits
Bradford as CEO in 1997 and
remained in that post for ten years,
was that the
that aviation brings to the wider during which passenger numbers balance of power
between airports
economy. grew from a million to nearly three
million. He was involved in the
Ed Anderson’s involvement with UK
airports stretches back to the late
negotiations that led to Jet2.com’s
decision to select Leeds Bradford
and airlines has
1970s, when he provided financial
evidence for Leeds Bradford Airport
as its headquarters and main UK
base and to launch a steadily
changed “out of all
at a public inquiry on plans for a new growing number of routes from recognition” since
runway extension. The plans were
approved and in the early 1980s
there to European city and sunshine
destinations. the 1980s.
the airport created a new post of
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2019
6
Ed Anderson,
AOA Chairman
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
7
Reflecting on how the AOA has
changed, he says that in the 1980s
it was primarily a social club for
airport directors. It started to get
a little more involved in lobbying
Government in the 1990’s, but
the great expansion in its role as
the representative body for UK
airports has taken place during
his spell as Chairman. He takes
quiet pride in the part that he has
played in “raising the AOA’s game”,
establishing it as the UK’s leading
aviation representative body, while
also paying tribute to AOA CEOs,
Darren Caplan and Karen Dee.
Mr Anderson’s Chairmanship
of the AOA coincided with the
establishment of the Airports
Commission review into airport
capacity in the South East and the Ed Anderson, at the 2018
subsequent decision by Government Annual Conference
and Parliament to back the
construction of a new runway at
Heathrow. He acknowledges that
this process presented challenges drivers of the enormous growth in would be crucial in setting a
in terms of preserving unity on the passenger traffic, but they had also framework for the next 30 years that
AOA Board and expresses the belief been “absolutely ruthless” in using would enable those airports that
that “we navigated that pretty well”. their market power by shifting or wished to grow to do so.
threatening to shift their planes from
Asked what advice he would offer one airport to another that might be Ed Anderson’s retirement as AOA
his successor, Mr Anderson said he “more accommodating”. Chairman immediately following
hoped that there would continue the AOA’s 2019 Annual Dinner will
to be a focus on the AOA’s role as A third important change since the enable him to spend more time on
UK aviation’s leading representative 1980’s had been the inexorable rise his new role as Lord-Lieutenant of
body, that the new Chair would to prominence of environmental West Yorkshire, the Queen’s personal
provide strong support for the issues and challenges. Mr Anderson representative in the county. He has
CEO and that they would always said he thought that the industry had been in post since 1 September 2018
remember the importance of unity, reacted well to that. The creation and has already arranged two royal
both among the airports themselves of Sustainable Aviation had been visits (including one from Prince
and, where possible, across the “absolutely critical” in enabling UK Charles), with at least another three
aviation sector as a whole. aviation to be “on the front foot” in the pipeline.
and to secure recognition from
Turning to changes in the aviation Government that the industry is Mr Anderson relishes a role that
industry over recent decades, he being proactive in dealing with was first created by Henry VIII
said one key change was that the environmental issues. and especially the opportunities
balance of power between airports that it will give him to support the
and airlines has changed “out of all A fourth important development was voluntary sector in West Yorkshire
recognition” since the 1980s. The “the recognition that there is now and to present medals and awards
time when airports had standardised on the part of Government of the on behalf of the sovereign. He
scales of fees, which they increased benefits that our industry brings to may be somewhat relieved that
annually, had long gone, to be the economy”. Lord-Lieutenants no longer retain
replaced by tough negotiations their responsibility for organising a
between airports and airlines. Mr Anderson’s overall conclusion is county’s militia or their right to call
that “the prospects for UK airports upon able-bodied men to fight when
This was a result of the second are very good”. He foresaw that needed.
key change, the rise of EasyJet, more and more people would
Ryanair and the other low-cost want to fly and suggested that the Ed Anderson is AOA Chairman
carriers. They had been the primary Government’s Aviation Strategy
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2019
8 8
Ian Smyth,
Director of UK Power
Networks Services
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
9
SAFE CONTINUITY OF
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
“KEY TO KEEPING
PASSENGERS MOVING”
Ian Smyth, Director of UK Power Networks Services,
explores the impact of a one-second power interruption.
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2019
10
U
K airports are under enormous infrastructure solutions for Heathrow, To ensure maximum network
pressure to ensure they have Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, reliability, the most important parts
the capacity to keep up London City and Luton airports, of the airport need to be supplied
with demand, which in turn affects we understand the challenges UK by the most resilient parts of the
the performance of the energy airports are facing. electricity network. Unfortunately,
infrastructure that keeps them this is not always the case as
running around the clock. As they Our airports provide connectivity airports have expanded quickly to
expand to meet these pressures, between the UK and the rest of the meet expectations and demands
airports around the country are world – any impact to the seamless of passengers. Expansion plans
greeted with an opportunity to passenger journey has wide- provide airport operators with the
reap the benefits of an energy reaching consequences. Ensuring a opportunity to assess and implement
transition where the energy market is safe continuity of electricity supply is an electricity network that will be fit
decentralising and there is a sharper key to keeping passengers moving. for purpose into the future.
focus on sustainability. Maintaining resilience, managing
energy costs and reducing the Having an experienced strategic
In 2017, UK airports handled more carbon footprint is a delicate and energy infrastructure partner
than 285 million passenger journeys. complex balance that all airports are enables airports to outsource
That’s an increase of 15 million from currently facing. the design, build, management,
2016 and demand for air travel is operation and maintenance of their
set to increase 50 per cent by 2035. Resilience of supply electrical assets. This enables the
Based on government figures, if A one-second power interruption airport to remove the risk associated
the number of journeys continue to can affect an airport’s operations with managing these assets
increase at the current rate without for hours, if not days. Just one themselves and to focus on their
expansion programmes, UK airports consequence of this is that all the day-to-day core business and their
will reach capacity by the mid- bags on the conveyers need to be customers.
2030s. European hubs are already rescanned and put through the
charging ahead to react and provide system again, in addition to an
an alternative to the UK’s long-haul
hubs.
ever-growing backlog of luggage
being handled at the airport from In 2017, UK airports
The impact of the required expansion
departing and arriving passengers.
This can mean passengers fly
handled more than
will have significant implications for
their energy infrastructure strategy
to locations all across the globe
without their bags, causing severe
285 million passenger
and operation. As a provider of reputational issues for the airport, journeys.
power distribution and energy the airline and handling partners.
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK11
Sustainability
Airports are under immense pressure
to reduce their carbon emissions
to offset those caused by the
aircraft using the airports across
the UK. All airports are committed
to sustainability, with opportunities
to achieve every-increasing targets
through innovative new energy
technologies.
The electrification of ground
transportation around the airport
is progressing with new vehicles
and more efficient charging
technologies becoming available.
We have deployed electric vans at
our Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and
London City Airport depots. This
will assist our airport clients reduce
emissions across the airport, and we of Europe’s busiest runways takes the direct result of the dedication of
are working with them to help them invariable focus, continuous our people who ensure that safety is
electrify their own fleets. improvement and innovation, their top priority when they come to
and always putting safety before work each day.
Due to the large carbon footprint anything else.
that airports occupy, there is
opportunity to install renewable The safety of staff, contractors, “The safety of
staff, contractors,
generation to reduce the costs suppliers and customers in and
of electricity. The introduction of around the airport is the most
technologies like wind turbines and
solar photovoltaic, however, can be
important achievement every day.
This can only be accomplished suppliers and
difficult due to the distance required
for their installation from the main
through an environment of ongoing,
measurable safety enhancements, customers in
runways for safety. This forces
innovative design and planning in
and a collaborative approach
between all airport stakeholders.
and around the
order to best utilise the limited land
available to help airports achieve We have achieved an exceptional
airport is the
their sustainability ambitions. industry-leading safety record while most important
achievement
working not only on Europe’s busiest
Safety runways, but trackside on the UK’s
Operating high and low voltage
electricity networks in the middle
fastest mainline railway, at nuclear
sites and at military facilities. This is every day.”
We’re undertaking a very complex the construction of a brand
project at Manchester Airport new substation away from the
CASE STUDY: that will enable them to continue taxiway, underground directional
their £1 billion transformation drilling beneath the taxiway and
Enabling programme. Due to an electricity
substation located in the middle of
decommissioning the existing
substation. This is all being
Manchester a taxiway, aircraft are only able to
move one-in, one-out, which will
completed in the middle of the
very busy and operational taxiway,
Airport’s affect the future expansion and requiring the control of foreign
Transformation
capacity of the terminal. object debris and the safety risks
that come with working with
Programme
Our team are moving the electricity, construction and in an
substation, which involves airside environment.
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201912
Nick Barton, CEO,
Birmingham Airport
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK13
BIRMINGHAM
AIRPORT’S
BOLD PLANS
FOR GROWTH
Birmingham Airport has “a tremendous story” to tell and is
on track to deliver a 40% growth in passenger numbers by
2033, according to its new Chief Executive, Nick Barton.
S
peaking to Airport Operator
just weeks after he took on
his new role in early January,
Barton said: “My expectations have
been exceeded”, indicating that he
had been impressed by the size of the
airport’s catchment area, the quality
of its transport links, its ambitious
investment plans and the passion and
enthusiasm of the airport’s team.
His priority in his early weeks in the
job will be to review the strategic
plan that will provide guidance
to staff and shareholders on the
airport’s growth objectives and set an ambitious route development disorderly Brexit, declaring his
out how it will seek to add capacity plan that will seek to add Lisbon, confidence that the airport’s recent
for airlines, improve the passenger Nice, Athens and Helsinki to the record of upward growth will
experience, meet environmental European route network and hold continue. He notes that GDP growth
targets and take account of the out the possibility of new routes to is still resilient and that plans are
interests of local communities. New York, Hong Kong and Toronto. well-developed to enable the airport
to deal with a “no deal” Brexit if
A consultation on the airport’s draft Barton’s vision is to take what he necessary.
Master Plan, which closed at the says is already a good airport to
end of January, has shown, Barton another level with a £500 million One of the key factors on which he
says, broad support for the airport’s investment plan that will match bases his confidence is the quality
plans to grow by making best use the requirements of the airport’s of the airport’s existing surface
of its existing single runway and by customers and further justify its access, especially its adjacent
offering passengers a greater choice claim to be one of Europe’s leading mainline railway station and network
of flights and destinations. That regional airports. He is very of motorways, combined with
will entail both improvements in the evidently undaunted by concerns ambitious plans for further dramatic
frequency of existing services to key about weakening economic growth improvement. Most important of
European business destinations and prospects or the possibility of a these is HS2, the new high- speed
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201914
rail link between London and having already made changes in time delays imposed on departures
Birmingham, which is scheduled recent years as a direct result of a from Birmingham due to capacity
to open in late 2026, with further runway extension which became constraints. He is optimistic that
phases planned northwards to operational in 2014. Now the the Aviation Minister, Baroness
Manchester and Leeds. attention is on changes to departure Sugg, will be an effective steward
routes to the north of the airport of the agencies that deliver airspace
The HS2 plans include a brand- to facilitate additional capacity, change and really drive the process.
new Interchange Station close to provide improved efficiencies and He declares himself “very impressed”
the airport in Solihull and linked to reduce both track miles flown and with the Minister, whom he describes
it by an automated people-mover. CO2 emissions. Barton stresses as “a really effective player” and
According to HS2, the new station that, although the changes are says: “she knows that she has a big
will be “the best-connected place in challenging, the airport has sought role to play acting as a catalyst for
the UK by rail, road and air”. to develop solutions in partnership change to get it delivered”.
with community groups. Dialogue
He also emphasises the importance with communities has also been As well as “getting airspace sorted
of “future-proofing” the road central to the airport’s approach out”, he says that the Government
network around Birmingham to noise issues. A recent review of must make also make sure that “the
Airport with the help of a £282 night flights has resulted in a policy major role that regional airports play
million upgrade to one of the West designed to protect the airport’s in keeping the national economy
Midlands’ worst bottlenecks around night time capacity, while also balanced” is underlined and
Junction 6 on the M42. Construction minimising noise. supported in the Aviation Strategy,
work on a dual carriageway link on which Ministers are currently
road is due to start next year, with For Barton, Government has a key consulting. Barton said that, from a
completion expected in 2023. role to play in helping airports to Birmingham perspective, the Green
deliver a modern air navigational Paper published last December
Like other UK airports, Birmingham system, replacing the older, included “really good stuff” and
is also focussed on airspace change, inefficient system that has seen peak what the airport would be seeking
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK15
“The Government must make also make sure that the
major role that regional airports play in keeping the
national economy balanced is underlined and supported.”
to do would be to ensure that the pension fund giving the airport awards, in a category judged by
Green Paper’s supportive approach access to private finance, while local Airlines UK), both sets of owners
to regional airport growth is now authority ownership ensures “an should have much to celebrate this
entrenched in Government thinking. alignment of interest”, with the local July when Birmingham will mark 80
councils sharing directly in the fruits years since the first flights took off
Closer to home, Barton is also very of the airport’s success. from the airport.
positive about local government.
Birmingham Airport is jointly owned With the airport recently named
by seven West Midlands Metropolitan “best UK airport with more than
Boroughs and a large Canadian 10 million passengers” (at the AOA
pension fund. He describes it “a
symbiotic relationship”, with the
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201916
UK AIRPORTS SEEK
PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR
AMBITIOUS GROWTH
PLANS
Eight of the UK’s top 20 airports have outlined ambitious
master plans for expansion between now and the 2030’s.
L
eading the pack is the country’s last summer. The airport’s project in December and work has started
second largest airport, Gatwick, team is currently reviewing responses on a £225 million rail passenger
whose consultation on its 2018 and expects to launch a further transit service to replace the existing
draft master plan closed in January, statutory consultation on a preferred shuttle bus service. When the new
claiming support for its growth plans scheme by the middle of this year. 2.1-kilometre rail-airport link opens in
from three quarters of residents 2021 it will cut the station to terminal
surveyed in Sussex, Surrey and Kent Secretary of State for Transport, Chris journey time to just three minutes
and from 29 business organisations, Grayling, officially opened Luton’s and the overall journey time to central
representing over 25,000 regional newly-upgraded terminal building London to under 30 minutes.
companies.
The 15-year plan considers how
Gatwick could grow by the early
2030’s to accommodate 70 million
passengers a year (compared to
46.1 million in 2018) by using new
technology to maximise the airport’s
main runway and potentially bringing
its standby runway into routine use
for departing flights. The airport will
be publishing a consultation summary
report and its final master plan later
this year.
Elsewhere in the South East, Luton
has set out a 30-year “vision for Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling,
sustainable growth” for the period
2020 to 2050, forecasting that annual officially opened Luton’s newly-upgraded terminal
passenger numbers could more than
double from the current 16.6 million
building in December and work has started on a
to 38 million. The vision document £225 million rail passenger transit service to replace
from airport owner, Luton Council,
formed the basis for a draft master the existing shuttle bus service.
plan on which a consultation was held
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Birmingham set out how it plans to Cardiff’s draft master plan explains the airport’s “easy, friendly, relaxed”
achieve its ambition of becoming how the airport will grow from its passenger experience reputation,
“one of Europe’s leading regional current 1.5 million passengers per which helped it to top the UK league
airports” in its 2018 draft master plan, year to three million and beyond in table for customer service at the end
with a consultation that closed at the period to 2040. A new terminal of 2018 and saw it named by Which?
the end of January, leading to a final building will be key to achieving as the UK’s best small airport.
master plan to be published in early the airport’s aspiration to be “an
summer this year. It expects to see outstanding capital city airport
annual passenger numbers grow by connecting Wales to the world
40% from the current 8.6 million to 18 and the world to Wales”, while
delivering “an exceptional customer
Cardiff’s draft master
million by 2033, with a focus on long-
haul routes to high growth economies experience”. plan explains how the
such as India and China. A £500
million 15-year investment plan will Finally, Doncaster Sheffield’s draft
airport will grow from
help it to deliver its growth strategy. master plan, covering the period up its current 1.5 million
Bristol’s draft master plan, expected
to 2037, sets out plans for a major
terminal enhancement and forecasts
passengers per year to
soon, will outline a vision for the growth in annual passenger numbers three million and beyond
period between now and 2050. It
foresees passenger numbers growing
from 1.3 million today to up to 4.7
million by 2037. A key goal will be
in the period to 2040.
from the current 8.6 million a year to to deliver growth while retaining
up to 20 million by the mid-2040’s.
Meanwhile, the airport has submitted
a planning application seeking
approval for development to handle
up to 12 million passengers a year
by 2026 – Bristol’s annual passenger
numbers are currently capped at 10
million.
Newcastle’s master plan sets out
it plans for the period up to its
centenary year, 2035, when it expects
to see passenger numbers grow from
over 5 million a year to up to 9.4
million. With a view to ensuring that
it will be able to secure more long-
haul air routes in the future, the plan
provides for the safeguarding of the
eastern end of the current runway
to enable the construction of a
700-metre runway extension, should
that prove necessary.
Following a consultation on its draft
master plan at the end of last year,
Southampton hopes to submit a
planning application this year for a
170-metre extension to the northern
end of its runway. That would mean
that existing aircraft could fly further,
bringing Mediterranean destinations
such as Madrid and Rome, within
reach, and, for the first time, allow
larger narrow-bodied aircraft to
use the airport without weight
restrictions. Passenger numbers
could climb from the current two
million to five million by 2037.
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201918
AOA ANNUAL
AWARDS SHOWCASE
UK SUCCESS STORIES
F
our English airports were Carlisle Lake District was the that the aviation industry recognises
named Best Airport in their winner in the Best General Aviation what has been achieved and the
category at the AOA’s annual category, selected by the Aircraft important role that our airport plays
awards ceremony, with Cardiff Owners and Pilots Association. both regionally and nationally. I am
picking up the award for Best very positive about our future. We
Airport campaign in UK Airports At Birmingham, Simon Richards, will play an increasingly important
Safety Week. then the airport’s acting Managing role in shaping the East Midlands
Director, said: “We are delighted economy, creating new jobs and
The awards were presented on 29 to be presented with this accolade, connecting people and products to
October at a dinner in London’s beating off stiff competition from other parts of the world”.
County Hall hosted by The other major UK airports in our
Independent’s Senior Travel Editor, category. Credit must go to our
Simon Calder. employees and partner companies
for the huge amount of hard work
“Aviation is a
The three winners in the Best
Airport category, selected by
that has gone into improving our
processes and customer experience
UK success story
Airlines UK, were Birmingham (Best
Airport over 10 million passengers),
over the last year”.
and our vibrant
East Midlands (Best Airport, 3 to For East Midlands the award came in and innovative
work is globally
10 million passengers) and London a year when records were broken for
Southend (Best Airport, under 3 the volume and value of the cargo
leading.”
million passengers). that it handles. Managing Director,
Karen Smart, said: “I am delighted
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK19
London Southend showcase their
AOA award on the airport’s website, “The AOA annual awards
along with the fact that they have
been rated best airport in London showcased just a sample of that
by the Which? airport passenger
survey for the last six years. CEO, best-in-kind work, including
Glyn Jones, said the awards were a
testament to all the hard work that around improving efficiency,
the airport team had put in and
recognition of a raft of new routes reducing the impact of aviation
and exceptional customer service.
on the environment and
Cardiff’s safety award was based
on partnership with airlines, police,
delivering an ever-improving
NATs and St John’s Ambulance.
CEO, Deb Barber, said: “We are
passenger experience”.
so proud to have won this award.
It recognises Cardiff Airport’s
commitment to safety and security Conference Exhibition Stand, our vibrant and innovative work is
as our number one priority. UK Vanderlande for Best Innovator, the globally leading. The AOA annual
Airports Safety Week provides Met Office for Best Business Partner, awards showcased just a sample
a fantastic opportunity for staff, Wilson James for Best Environmental of that best-in-kind work, including
passengers and the community to Initiative and Rohde & Schwarz for around improving efficiency, reducing
engage with the airport and promote Best Solution Provider. the impact of aviation on the
our strong safety culture”. environment and delivering an ever-
Congratulating all the winners, AOA improving passenger experience”.
Five leading suppliers to UK airports Chief Executive, Karen Dee, said:
also picked up awards. Dallmeier “Aviation is a UK success story and
won the award for Best AOA Annual
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201920
LEONARDO
HIGHLIGHTS
CAPABILITIES OF
UK-DESIGNED
COUNTER-DRONE
SYSTEM
Falcon Shield system detects, tracks,
identifies and defeats drones.
I
talian-headquartered high-tech on a visit to the company’s Basildon
giant, Leonardo, is launching a new plant, how the different components
marketing campaign to promote of the system work together to
Falcon Shield, its state-of-the-art counter drone attacks, emphasising
counter-drone system, to UK airports, that Falcon Shield can be tailored to
following the recent drone attacks meet the requirements of airports of
which disrupted flight operations. any size.
As was widely reported at the The company, an AOA corporate
time, the RAF-tested system was partner, is one of the biggest
deployed to ensure the safety of suppliers of defence equipment
flights following drone sightings. to the Ministry of Defence and the
largest Italian inward investor in
Now the company is keen to the UK. Its operations in Basildon
explain to other UK airports how (formerly Marconi) and Southampton
its system, based on world-beating have been established since the
technology designed, developed 1950’s. Basildon produced the UK’s
and manufactured at Basildon and first military standard production
Southampton, could help them to thermal imager and Southampton is
detect, track, identify and defeat a centre of excellence for infra-red
malicious or dangerous drone detectors.
Paul Burt,
incursions.
Leonardo
The Falcon Shield Counter- Vice President
Leonardo Vice President of Sales, Unmanned Air Vehicle system, of Sales
Paul Burt, showed Airport Operator launched in 2015, brings together
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK21
Falcon Shield
can be tailored
to meet the
requirements
of airports of
any size.
cutting- edge technology designed thermal imaging tracker, designed with improvised explosive devices
and developed in the UK by and manufactured in Basildon and of the kind frequently used in Iraq
Leonardo with other world-leading Southampton, whose cameras – where, in a former role during
technology to offer airports a deliver exceptionally high-quality the Iraq war, Burt was RAF base
seamless and user-friendly counter- images at any time of the day or commander in Basra.
drone package. night. The cameras enable airport
operators to track drone incursions Burt, now Leonardo’s Vice President
The detect element of the system and help to identify the type of Sales & Marketing, Land & Naval
includes both active and passive drone involved. Defence Electronics, stresses that
components. The active surveillance the company is keen to offer tailored
component is a radar system The defeat element of Falcon solutions to airports of all sizes
comparable to systems used daily Shield is graphically described and that the price of buying and
by air traffic controllers. The passive by Burt as “an electronic sniper operating the system will reflect this.
component, drone signal monitoring, rifle”, which uses battle-proven Recognising the cost constraints
involves listening to radio frequency technology to jam a drone’s faced by airports, he says that in
emissions from the drone and electronic signals. Crucially, from normal circumstances the Falcon
drone controller and can help law an airport’s perspective, the “rifle” Shield system can be incorporated
enforcement agencies to identify the is precisely-targeted to disable the into routine activities and effectively
source of an incursion. drone without interfering with the operated by one individual, a “sentry
electronic systems that are vital to on watch” for the airport, whose
At the heart of the track and identify the safety of aircraft and airfields. primary responsibilities will lie
elements is Leonardo’s Nerio The technology was originally elsewhere.
ultra- long-range high definition developed for the military to deal
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201922 Alberto Martin, CEO, Luton Airport WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
23
CONVINCING PEOPLE
OF THE BENEFITS OF
TRAVELLING THROUGH
A TRANSFORMED
LUTON AIRPORT
Alberto Martin has come a long way from the days when he
ran the smallest airport in the Canary Islands with just two
destinations - but the new CEO of London Luton Airport
says that his experience as Managing Director of tiny El
Hierro Airport will stand him in good stead now that he runs
the UK’s fifth busiest airport.
F
or a start it made him aware Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria with responsibility for delivering its
of the benefits that an airport airports gave him of the workings £160 million terminal transformation
provides for its surrounding of Spain’s airport operator, Aena, project, which was officially opened
community and today, as CEO of an which also operates Luton Airport, by Transport Secretary, Chris
airport owned by the local council, in partnership with Australia’s Grayling, four days before Martin
Martin emphasises that Luton AMP Capital, under a concession stepped up to his new role. Grayling
Airport is proud to be part of its local agreement with Luton Borough said that the investment “firmly
community and always looking for Council. Martin has spent a total of puts passengers at the heart of
ways to ensure that it “gives back” to 20 years working for Aena. development and will improve the
that community. experience of those using the airport
Before becoming Luton’s CEO last for business or holidays”.
Then there is the knowledge that December, he was the airport’s
his time at El Hierro and later at Planning and Investment Director, The terminal upgrade was the biggest
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201924
redevelopment in the airport’s the worst airport in the UK a distant The airport’s reputation looks set to
80-year history and focused on memory. improve further in two years’ time
making passengers’ journeys easier, when building work, which began last
quicker and more enjoyable, with The early signs are encouraging, year, is scheduled to be completed
48 new shops (including Chanel) with some customers reporting that on a new £225 million light rail link.
and restaurants, 3,000 new seats, they have been pleasantly surprised That will replace an existing shuttle
a new boarding pier, an expanded with what they can now expect bus service and connect the terminal
security search area and a new dual at the airport. More than 73% of to Luton Airport Parkway station
carriageway, bus interchange and passengers say that they are happy in just three minutes. It will cut the
multi-storey car park. with their experience at the airport total journey time from the airport
and 82% express satisfaction with to London’s St Pancras station to
Martin said he was really proud of their experience at security – where under 30 minutes and Martin hopes
what his team had achieved and a CAA reports say that Luton has a to see the frequency of fast trains
big part of his new job would be perceived security waiting time of to St Pancras increased to four an
increasing public awareness of the just five minutes. hour. Meanwhile, this year will see
transformation of Luton, to convince
more and more of the travelling
public to fly from the airport. He Last year Luton had 16.6 million passengers,
is convinced that a combination of
the physical improvements to the which was a 5% increase on the previous
airport and a relentless focus on the
quality of the passenger experience
year. The airport introduced 36 new routes
will transform Luton’s reputation and
make Which? passenger satisfaction
last year, with airlines now flying to 150
surveys which once rated Luton as destinations in 40 countries.
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK25
the extension of the Oyster and capacity in the South East of England. Asked if anything had surprised
contactless card system to train Competition with other airports in him about the CEO role at Luton,
services between London and the the South East will be complemented Martin says his early weeks had been
airport. by collaboration with them to ensure much as he had expected, including
harmonised improvements in the use a substantial rise in the number of
Last year Luton had 16.6 million of the region’s airspace. e-mails that he receives each day and
passengers, which was a 5% increase a busy daily agenda. The scale of the
on the previous year. The airport Martin acknowledges that dealing operation at Luton is dramatically
introduced 36 new routes last with noise issues will continue to be different to his first job at El Hierro,
year, with airlines now flying to 150 “an unavoidable part of operating he says, but the role remains the
destinations in 40 countries. This a busy and ever-growing airport”. same: protecting the interests of
year in January alone Luton had 1.1 He promises that he will continue the shareholders by focusing on
million passengers, a 13% increase on to focus on working with the local delivering the targets that are most
January 2018. Martin expects growth community to minimise the noise relevant to the airport’s passenger
to continue in 2019, despite Brexit- impacts of growth and notes that and airline customers and to its local
related uncertainty, though probably Luton already has some of the most community.
not at the same rate as earlier. There stringent noise control measures
will be a new route to Finland and, of any UK airport. He says that the
while nothing seems to be imminent, number of complaints about noise
Martin doesn’t rule out the possibility fell by 45% in the third quarter of last
of new long-haul routes. He says year.
that continuing growth will help to
support a stronger local economy
and deliver much-needed additional
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201926
CHRIS GRAYLING’S
MESSAGE TO UK
AIRPORTS:
“WHEN YOU SUCCEED,
SO DOES THE UK”
THIS year the UK will celebrate the centenary of a
remarkable moment in aviation history – the start of the
world’s first daily, international, commercial air service.
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK27
I
n August 1919, a tiny de Havilland investment they provide, spread three decades and beyond. But to
biplane carried a modest cargo, these benefits across the country. earn the right to grow, communities
consisting of a single passenger, must be supported, passenger
a supply of Devonshire cream and However, to maintain our place in voices heard, and the environment
some grouse, on a two-hour flight such a fiercely competitive global protected.
between Hounslow Heath and Paris. sector we cannot take the UK’s
future success for granted. We must The consultation contains a wide
It was a journey that marked the continue to help airlines and airports array of innovative proposals
beginning of modern air travel, prepare for the big challenges they exploring how we can achieve these
forging the vital international face in the coming decades. That is goals. That might be through a
connections that our country why last June, we made important Passenger Charter to improve the
required to flourish. progress towards providing greater experience of those with disabilities,
capacity in the South East - with or by considering how airports
Today AOA members play a more Parliament’s vote for the Airports can make best use of their existing
important role than ever in linking National Policy Statement providing runways.
the UK with vibrant economies an important step towards creating a
across the globe, while strengthening third runway at Heathrow. Aviation 2050 also tackles the
our oldest international friendships. crucial question of how we can
A record breaking 284 million And to ensure a thriving future for take full advantage of our skies by
passengers passed through our the industry we must keep asking modernising use of our airspace to
airports in 2017 – while £85 billion of fundamental questions. How can make flights quicker, quieter and
air freight shipped around the world we enable aviation to grow but cleaner. Most of this infrastructure
from the UK. live up to its responsibilities to the hasn’t been updated since the 1950s
environment and communities? How and, without action, one in three
And with demand forecast to surge can we best harness technology flights will be delayed by half an
further, this is an industry that is and ensure a diverse and motivated hour or more by 2030. Managing
not standing still. I’ve been deeply workforce? How can we meet the our airspace with better technology
impressed by the sector’s ambition needs of passengers, including those will provide more capacity and
to seize new opportunities. with disabilities? reduce delays. In addition, airspace
modernisation will help airports
In the last 12 months alone we’ve In December the Department for minimise their environmental impact
seen a host of new routes launched Transport made a major advance by reducing carbon and noise, and
from UK airports, for instance direct towards finding a solution to there will be less of a need for plane
flights between Manchester and these issues with the launch of our stacking.
Mumbai. And many other airports Aviation Strategy consultation. This
have reported soaring traveller document, named Aviation 2050, The consultation underlines the
numbers, such as Edinburgh, which lays out a comprehensive plan for Government and the Civil Aviation
served 14 million passengers in 2018 sustainable growth to ensure the Authority’s belief that airspace
- an all time high. industry’s success over the next modernisation is necessary and
highlights our commitment towards
AOA members are also showing providing leadership.
great commitment to growth and
improving the passenger experience.
“Aviation 2050 It goes without saying, however,
In August I opened phase one of
also tackles the that collaboration between airports,
particularly in the busy South
Leeds Bradford’s departure lounge crucial question of East, will be key. So, I urge airports
redevelopment, while Luton has
recently unveiled a new terminal how we can take and the wider aviation industry
to come together to deliver the
building, and Birmingham has
announced a £500 million expansion
full advantage benefits of modernisation through
a coordinated programme. I know
plan to boost capacity and
passenger facilities.
of our skies by AOA members are also playing
their part in this process, as well as
modernising use providing a valuable contribution to
All these projects will of course aid
the entire UK. A thriving aviation of our airspace Aviation 2050 as a whole.
sector is real evidence of economic
confidence, growing tourism,
to make flights While Aviation 2050 prepares the
sector for many of the issues that will
increased trade and business
investment. Our regional airports
quicker, quieter emerge over the coming decades
– I am conscious that airports have
and the connections, jobs and and cleaner.” faced some new challenges in recent
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201928
months. The recent disruption at
Gatwick highlighted how we must
countries, including the US and
Canada – ensuring flights to those
“this Government
work together to tackle the threat of countries will continue after March recognises the
enormous value of
malicious drone use. 29.
In the aftermath of these utterly
irresponsible and illegal incidents,
And the EU has provisionally agreed
legislation that will ensure flights airports and the
my Department held a number of
very constructive meetings with
to and from the EU will continue in
the event of no deal so passengers
wider aviation
AOA members which have helped us
take clear action as a government.
can continue to book flights with
confidence.
sector to our country
This month we have further and economy. When
increased our restriction on drone
use to cover the aerodrome traffic
The UK will reciprocate by providing
equivalent rights to airlines from you succeed, so does
zone with additional extensions at
runway ends. A step that builds on
those European States enabling
flights to carry on in any scenario.
the UK. So, let’s
the Government’s changes to the
law last year which made it illegal But regardless of the outcome of
continue to work in
to fly a drone above 400 feet and negotiations, my Department is partnership, and look
within a kilometre of an airport. seeking post Brexit arrangements
that maximise operational and forward to the future
We have also passed legislation
that means that from November
commercial flexibility for airlines and
airports.
with optimism.”
all operators of drones, weighing
between 250 grams and 20 I greatly value our work with
kilogrammes, must register and AOA members on these issues.
pilots complete a competency test. It has been incredibly beneficial
Our forthcoming Drones Bill will also understanding your positions
set out new measures, including and concerns. And you can rest
giving police drone misuse stop and assured that on this matter – as on
search powers. others facing AOA members - my
Department is listening to your
But as well as passing laws voice.
it’s crucial that we continue to
educate the public about the safe That’s because this Government
use of drones. I’m very grateful recognises the enormous value of
to AOA members for their work airports and the wider aviation sector
on promoting the Civil Aviation to our country and economy. When
Authority’s Drone Code to you succeed, so does the UK. So,
highlight the rules to the public. let’s continue to work in partnership,
The Government has also recently and look forward to the future with
announced a partnership with optimism.
retailer Jessops which will further
raise awareness of the rules among Chris Grayling, Secretary of State
customers. for Transport
We are taking a similar collaborative
approach towards EU withdrawal.
The Government is determined to
leave the EU with a deal. The UK
and the EU have a mutual interest
in maintaining closely integrated
aviation markets with liberal market
access – to the benefit of businesses
and customers alike.
As I am sure AOA members are
aware, we have agreed new bilateral
flight arrangements with 11 third
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK29
NEW ABERDEEN
AIRPORT MANAGING
DIRECTOR SEES
“GREEN SHOOTS”
AFTER THREE
TOUGH YEARS
Aberdeen Airport’s Managing Director, Steve
Szalay, who started in the role last November, is
predicting that 2019 will be a year of resurgence
for the airport which was badly hit by the oil and
gas industry slump in the last three years.
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201930 Steve Szalay, CEO, Aberdeen Airport Managing Director WWW.AOA.ORG.UK
31
A
s oil prices fell to $30 a
barrel, Aberdeen’s passenger
numbers, which peaked at
3.7 million in 2014, fell to 3.1 million
in 2017 and 2018. Now, with oil
prices back up to $62 a barrel, Szalay
suggests that the airport, which is
the main heliport for the Scottish
offshore oil industry, might hit 3.2
million passengers this year, despite
last month’s axing of an EasyJet
route to London Gatwick Airport.
His optimism is based not just on an
improving oil market, but also on a
combination of already announced
capacity increases by existing
airlines, the opening of a new
motorway expanding the airport’s
catchment area and this summer’s
opening of Scotland’s state-of-the-
art exhibition and conference centre
“100 metres from the end of the
runway”.
Szalay says that a key part of his job will whole of the concourse and Szalay
says that “it will just look and feel
be to reduce the airport’s reliance on the like a new airport. It is going to be
oil and gas industry, so that: “when the phenomenal”.
Aberdeen oil and gas industry catches a He is also keen to improve the
airport experience for people
cold, the airport doesn’t catch pneumonia”. arriving at the airport from the oil
rigs, who may have to wait several
hours landside for a connecting
Several of the airlines already have seen their journey times cut commercial flight. He is exploring
operating out of Aberdeen have from 45 to 12 minutes. new arrangements for early bag
announced capacity increases for the drops that could enable these
summer, led by KLM, with an extra Perhaps the most important piece passengers to take advantage of
20,000 seats adding 10% to capacity of good news will be this summer’s all the airport’s airside facilities,
on its route to Amsterdam. Following opening of the £333 million including the new Northern Lights
the collapse of Flybmi last month, exhibition and conference centre, lounge.
Loganair has begun operating on The Event Complex Aberdeen. One
three former Flybmi routes from the of its first events in early September Szalay says that a key part of his
airport to Bristol, Oslo and Esbjerg. will be the Offshore Europe 2019 job will be to reduce the airport’s
There is also now competition on conference, which is set to attract reliance on the oil and gas industry,
the Esbjerg route, with Danish Air over 36,000 attendees. Summer so that: “when the Aberdeen
Transport adding the route to its 2020 is the scheduled completion oil and gas industry catches a
schedules. date for a £350 million project to cold, the airport doesn’t catch
expand Aberdeen harbour, which pneumonia”. He will seek to do this
Szalay expresses confidence too that will enable large cruise ships to visit be attracting more routes to holiday
the recent opening of Aberdeen’s Aberdeen for the first time. destinations such as Malaga and
new western bypass will be a game- Palma de Mallorca. To do that he
changer for the airport, as it opens a Meanwhile, the airport itself aims to bring potential new airline
bigger catchment area to the north is in the third and final phase customers up to Aberdeen to see
and south of the airport, including of its comprehensive terminal for themselves what he describes as
Dundee, which is now just an hour transformation programme, on the “tangible excitement that is felt
away. The new bypass is also good time and on budget. April will see around our city as we herald a bold
news for many airport staff, who the opening of new shops and the new chapter and a bright future”.
THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 201932
Mark Johnston,
Glasgow Airport’s
Managing Director
GLASGOW AIRPORT
CONTRIBUTES
£1.44 BILLION TO
SCOTLAND’S ECONOMY
AND SUPPORTS OVER
30,000 JOBS
A new economic impact study by economists York
Aviation has underlined the scale of Glasgow Airport’s
contribution to the economy and outlined the prospects for
an even greater contribution by 2040.
WWW.AOA.ORG.UK33
T
he study shows that the
airport, which welcomed 9.7
million passengers last year, “The findings are very encouraging and
generates more than £1.44 billion
in gross value added annually and
show that when Glasgow Airport succeeds
supports more than 30,000 jobs
across Scotland. It also confirms the
Scotland shares the benefit. We want to
airport’s key role as a gateway for
global trade, with Glasgow handling
continue to grow in a sustainable and
more than £3.5 billion in goods in
2017.
responsible manner.”
York Aviation say that if Glasgow
Airport continues to grow as responsible manner. We can’t do Airport’s 2040 Master Plan,
forecast in its Master Plan it would this on our own and it is imperative which will be published for public
contribute £2.54 billion, support over that through the ongoing support consultation later this year.
43,000 jobs and welcome 17 million of our city and national partners we
passengers annually by 2040. ensure Glasgow Airport continues With 30 airlines serving 120
to thrive and deliver for Scotland. destinations worldwide, including
Mark Johnston, Glasgow Airport’s To do this we also need to address Canada, the US, the Caribbean,
Managing Director, said: “The the current constraints such as Europe and the Gulf, Glasgow is
findings are very encouraging motorway congestion and delivering Scotland’s main long-haul airport
and show that when Glasgow the planned rail link”. and Scotland’s largest charter
Airport succeeds Scotland shares hub and serves more Scottish
the benefit. We want to continue The York Aviation study has been destinations than any other
to grow in a sustainable and produced to inform Glasgow airport.
GLASGOW AIRPORT -
GLASGOW
GLASGOW AIRPORT --
AIRPORT
DELIVERING HUGE ECONOMIC
DELIVERING
DELIVERING HUGE
HUGEECONOMIC
ECONOMIC
VALUE FOR SCOTLAND
VALUE FOR SCOTLAND
VALUE FOR SCOTLAND
TODAY 2040
TODAY
TODAY 2040
2040
£1.44bn Supports Strong 9.7m £2.54bn
£1.44bn 30,000over Strong
Supports connectivity 9.7m
passengers £2.54bn
£1.44bn
GVA annually Supports
over
jobs over Strong
connectivity
to 9.7m
passengers £2.54bn
GVA annually
GVA annually 30,000over connectivity
jobs 120 routes
to over passengers GVA annually
GVA annually 30,000 jobs 120 routes to over GVA annually
120 routes
A gateway for over Exported over £1.7bn More than Supports Increased 17m
£3.5bn A gateway
in importsfor over
and Exported
- more than any £1.7bn
overother 100 companies
More than over Increased passengers
Supports connectivity 17m
£3.5bn
exports A gateway
outside forand
inofimports
the EU* over Exported
- more
Scottish than any
airport* £1.7bn
overother 100
based More
site than
oncompanies 43,000 overSupports
jobs worldwide Increased
connectivity
with 17m
passengers
£3.5bn
exports outsideinofimports and
the EU* - more than
Scottish airport* 100on
any other based companies
site 43,000overjobs connectivity
worldwide
growing net workwith passengers
exports outside of the EU* Scottish airport* based on site 43,000 jobsgrowingworldwide with
net work
*2017 figures derived from HMRC statistics
growing net work
*2017 figures derived from HMRC statistics
*2017 figures derived from HMRC statistics
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