06 Oct
2010

ABTA hosts Transport Forum at Conservative conference

Secretary of State Philip Hammond took part in a lively Question Time debate yesterday at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham bringing to a successful conclusion the final Transport Hub event of this year’s party political conference season.

ABTA and its Transport Hub partners hosted the event where Mr Hammond was quizzed in a question and answer style session about a wide range of transport and infrastructure issues. Among the issues addressed were his views on the current level of aviation sector taxation where he expressed a belief that the sector was ‘comparatively, lightly taxed’. He also argued that the sector must do more to be green and outlined the need for it to meet tough environmental challenges. ABTA is confident that the sector is willing and able to meet those challenges.

Mark Tanzer said: “The Secretary of State is clearly passionate in his commitment to improve the country’s transport infrastructure and the customer experience while driving down the sector’s negative environmental impact. I am confident that we can work closely with him to achieve a sensible and balanced approach towards an integrated transport policy that will help to develop the country’s low carbon future.”

Luke Pollard ABTA Head of Public Affairs said: “It was reassuring to hear at both meetings that the Conservatives are not anti-flying. However an unintended consequence of some of their policy may be that they could be seen as such. We will continue to work to ensure that our Members’ views and interests are represented in any future Government plans and legislation”

Earlier in the day Mr Tanzer spoke at a fringe event entitled “Are the Conservatives now anti-flying?” where Graham Brady MP chair of the 1992 Committee stated that the Conservative party supports aviation and recognises the importance of people’s freedom to fly and believes that aviation is vital to the UK economy.