Draft aviation policy framework

The government’s primary objective is to achieve long-term economic growth. The aviation sector is a major contributor to the economy, and we support its growth within a framework which maintains a balance between the benefits of aviation and its costs, particularly climate change and noise.

This is especially important for those who live close to airports and bear a particular burden of the costs. We therefore want to strengthen the arrangements for involving communities near airports in decisions which affect them.

It is equally important that the aviation industry has confidence that the framework is sufficiently stable to underpin long-term planning and investment in aircraft and infrastructure.

This document sets out our draft sustainable framework for UK aviation (referred to as the “aviation policy framework”). It is a consultation document and has been informed by the over 600 responses we received to our scoping document. It is a high-level strategy, setting out our overall objectives for aviation and our policies to achieve those objectives. It is underpinned by two core principles:

• collaboration: by working together with industry, regulators, experts, local communities and others at all levels - international, national and local - we believe we will be better able to identify workable solutions to challenges and share the benefits of aviation in a fairer way than in the past
• transparency: to facilitate improved collaboration, it is crucial to have clear and independent information and processes in place - those involved in and affected by aviation need to have a clearer understanding of the facts and the confidence that proportionate action will be taken at the international, national or local level

Please note that in this consultation, we are seeking views and information relating to the questions that follow. We intend to issue, later this year, a call for evidence on maintaining the UK’s international connectivity. This will include an opportunity to comment on what, if any, new airport capacity may be required to meet the UK’s needs in the medium and long term. If you wish to make such comments you are encouraged to wait until the call for evidence as these would be outside the scope of the current consultation.

• Developing a sustainable framework for UK aviation: scoping document
• Foundations laid for future growth of aviation as government unveils long-term strategy
• Aviation Policy Framework
• Aviation Policy Framework written ministerial statement