The International Air Transport Association has warned that up to 120,000 jobs supported by air transport could be at risk from an erosion of UK air transport competitiveness.

By contrast, employment could rise by 200,000 if the UK invests in a cost-effective runway expansion, abolishes or reduces Air Passenger Duty and improves visa processes.

A new report published by IATA, United Kingdom Air Transport Regulatory Competitiveness Indicators, reveals that while air transport’s contribution to the UK economy is currently significant, supporting 1.56 million jobs and contributing £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 per cent 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, IATA argued.
• 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, IATA said.
• 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.

“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 regional vice president for Europe.