Let Britain Fly campaign takes to the road

Aviation campaign group Let Britain Fly has organised roadshows across the UK to spread its message about the importance of expanding airport capacity.

Above: Gavin Hayes, Director of Let Britain Fly

Let Britain Fly is calling on the government to expand airport capacity in London and the South East to support jobs and growth.

The campaign aims to build cross-party political support for new runways because Heathrow is full and Gatwick and Stansted will soon be too.

Gavin Hayes, the Director of the campaign said: “It is of strategic national importance that Britain remains Europe’s most important aviation hub. The UK economy will lose its competitive edge if politicians fail to act soon to expand airport capacity.”

Let Britain Fly has organised meetings in Newcastle, Newquay, Liverpool and Edinburgh.

These roundtable events want to engage key stakeholders in the UK’s nations and regions on the importance of airport expansion in London and the South East, with a strong focus on the importance of domestic connectivity.

Confirmed meetings include:

Newcastle: Friday 20 April, 12.30 – 2pm

Hosted by PwC in partnership with the North East Federation of Small Businesses and Newcastle International Airport. Confirmed speakers include Mary Glindon MP (Transport Select Committee member and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Shadow Transport Secretary).

Newquay: Friday 29 April, 12.30 – 2pm

Held in partnership with Cornwall Newquay Airport. Confirmed speakers include Steve Double MP (chair of the South West group of Conservative MPs)

Liverpool: Friday 13 May, 12.30 – 2pm

Hosted by, and in partnership with Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce. Confirmed speakers include Louise Ellman MP (chair of the Transport Select Committee).

Edinburgh: Friday 20 May, 12.30 – 2pm.

Hosted and held in partnership with Aberdeen Asset Management.

Let Britain Fly was initiated by not-for-profit organisation London First. It is a broad coalition of business leaders, business organisations, trade and professional associations, trade unions, think tanks, academics and economists.

Campaign supporters include:

• the Freight Transport Association
• the British Airline Pilots Association,
• the chief executive of Chelsea Football Club and
• the managing director of Harrods.

Prospect is working with other unions in the aviation sector to support the campaign.

If you, or your colleagues are interested in attending one of these events, please email Simeen Chatur on [email protected].

Please keep an eye out for the next issue of Prospect’s Aviation Eye magazine which will include more information about the campaign and outline what Prospect members can do to support it.