Industry trade group Airlines UK has outlined several issues it wants leaders elected in next month’s election to address. Key among the highlighted subjects was, criminalizing consumption of alcohol onboard UK planes.
Several UK charter and budget airlines adopted a zero tolerance policy against consumption of alcohol prior to or during flights. Jet2.com, together with other airlines has been lobbying government to effect a legislation that will help deal with drunkenness on board, which not only causes disturbances to other passengers but also leads to injuries.
The airlines have vowed to continue to prosecute and ban passengers for life, if they behave irresponsibly. Some offenders prosecuted have had to pay hefty fines or suffer airline life bans.
Airlines UK also highlighted other related policy areas where it wants the next parliament to take action before their term is over.
On Brexit, the body wants the UK government to safeguard EU, US and international market access for airlines and to ensure continued membership of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It also wants the UK to continue to participate in the development of single European Sky (SES) and industry UK-based companies and operators retain rights to employ staff from across Europe post-Brexit, among other issues.
The elected government will also be expected to show commitment to Heathrow’s expansion, at a reasonable cost and set up a policy framework to support growth in the aviation industry at other UK airports.
Airlines UK also wants the UK government to abolish Air Passenger Duty (APD) to promote the UK’s international competitiveness, boost trade and support tourism.
The need to furnish Border Force with all the necessary resources to ensure a safe and secure border was also highlighted. They also called on the government to ensure a UK Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), if introduced for non-visa nationals, will not only be user-friendly, but also effective.
Tim Alderslade, Airlines UK CEO said: “UK aviation is uniquely placed to deliver the Government’s vision of a global, outward looking Britain. Airlines – whether full service, low-cost, charter or freight – play a key role as economic enablers of GDP, connecting all regions of the UK to countries across the world, including many of the important economies that, post-Brexit, the UK will be seeking closer ties with.”