Minutes of the External Advisory Group, 28 September 2006
Minutes of the External Advisory Group, Aviation White Paper, held on 28 Septmber 2006 in Great Minster House
Attendees: Jonathan Moor (Chair) - DfT, Jonathan Sharrock - DfT, Martin Capstick - DfT, Sam Whatling - DfT, Dipak Valand - DfT, Lucy Gordon - DfT, Victoria Mayo - DfT, Paul Ellis- BA, Alison Pridmore - SDC, Peter Lockley - AEF, Anna Mahoney - SASIG, Sian Foster - Virgin, Jonathan Bailey - MAG, Stuart Condie – BAA, Roger Wiltshire – BATA, Keith Jowett – AOA, Simon Evans – AUC, Owen Simon – CBI, Nic Ferriday – FoE, Tim Johnson – AEF, Eddie Redfern - Charter Airlines Group
Apologies: Danny Pedri - DHL, Alastair Wilson - SE
Introduction
Jonathan Moor welcomed all the members to the seventh meeting of the External Advisory Group (EAG). He thanked the members for coming to this extra meeting, which was arranged to allow the AOA and BATA to lead the response to the presentation made by the Sustainable Development Commission and the Aviation Environment Federation on 'Sustainable Development and the Air Transport White Paper' at the previous meeting (6th July).
Update on progress
Jonathan Sharrock updated the group on progress made since July and set out some of the key issues for ATWP delivery over the coming months.
The following issues were highlighted:
Environment:
Martin Capstick gave an update on the scenario evaluation work being done for the Project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow. The group was invited to email Dipak Valand if they were interested in having more details of the scenario work, and the DfT would arrange a separate meeting to discuss this.
Martin Capstick also informed the group that work was ongoing on emissions trading following the CAEP meeting in February. The European Commission's proposal on including aviation in the Emissions Trading Scheme was expected by the end of the year.
Buncefield fuel supplies:
Jonathan Sharrock reported that measures were being put in place to ensure sufficient fuel supplies until 2008. Jonathan Sharrock was willing to speak in more detail outside the meeting to those who had a specific interest in this.
Surface Access Forum:
Jonathan Sharrock thanked the group for participating in the Surface Access Forum (SAF). Feedback received had been positive and several delegates had expressed an interest in participating in a similar event in the future. A draft report summarising the forum's work was circulated at the meeting, and the group was invited to send any comments to the DfT and AOA.
GoSkills:
Jonathan Sharrock brought the group's attention to the work of GoSkills, the Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport, which promotes skills development and training in all sectors of passenger transport. The airline and airport representatives in the group reported that the aviation industry already had rigorous training requirements for much of its staff (e.g. cabin crew and pilots), but they were in contact with GoSkills about its work.
Future of the EAG:
There was a brief discussion about the future of the EAG after publication of the Progress Report at the end of the year. Most members agreed that it would be useful for the group to continue to meet. The Chair invited feedback and comments on this ahead of the next meeting.
Actions:
- EAG members to contact Dipak Valand if interested in attending a detailed presentation of the Project Heathrow scenario evaluation work.
- Group members to send Jonathan Sharrock ideas on the future of the EAG
Sustainable Development and the Air Transport White Paper - British Air Transport Association /Airport Operators Association Presentation on behalf of Sustainable Aviation (SA)
Roger Wiltshire (BATA) presented the industry's work on developing a sustainable aviation strategy.
SA's presentation introduced the goals, commitments and the time frame for implementation of them. It also highlighted the sustainable aviation signatories; these included various stakeholders across the aviation industry. Roger went on to explain the focus of SA work, this included climate change, local air quality and noise, with consideration for social and economic values.
A progress report on the implementation of the strategy would be published later in the autumn.
Jonathan Moor suggested that it would be useful to organise a stakeholder forum in 2007 to identify and promote good practices in minimising the environmental impacts of aviation.
AOB
The next meeting (now scheduled for 1 November) it is expected to focus on the Progress Report.
Actions:
- DfT to send out the draft Progress Report structure to EAG ahead of the next meeting.
- Members to send Jonathan Sharrock suggestions of topics they would like to see covered in the Progress Report.
Programme Management Office
Airports Policy Division
29 September 2006
