UK policies will destroy proud legacy of British aviation: Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO, IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on the British government to improve its global competitiveness in air transport by taking a global approach to aviation and climate change, reducing taxes, changing the economic regulatory structure for airports, and developing a proper strategy to safeguard the economic benefits of aviation.

 “The UK has a great tradition of leadership in aviation. But any industry can only take so many knocks before the damage is permanent. The government’s policy pillars of excessive taxes, inefficient airport regulation and limiting growth will destroy the UK’s proud aviation legacy,” said Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO, IATA.  

Bisignani noted that aviation supports about 1.5 million UK jobs along with GBP 76 billion in economic activity. “Aviation provides critical global connectivity to this island nation. It is a mystery to me why the government seems so intent on destroying its competitiveness with a policy agenda stuck in the past,” said Bisignani.