What does the aviation industry bring to a sustainable integrated network?

In addressing the “essay question” at the British Aviation Group’s round table discussion, the assembled participants agreed that airports should be a strong catalyst for developing a sustainable integrated transport network… but it won’t happen without funding support and leadership.

The British Aviation Group hosted a round table discussion looking at “What does the aviation industry bring to a sustainable integrated network?” The excellent discussion covered the main blockers and pointed to emerging solutions by which airports could become a strong catalyst for developing a sustainable integrated transport network. The room was split on whether success will come only through Governmental support and leadership or whether there is potential to develop locally driven, blended solutions.

Key conversation themes covered:

What are the key challenges faced by airports in integrating with the wider transportation network.
Who should be driving solutions for more sustainable, lower carbon and integrated surface access? Do we need more collaboration between airports and local authorities? Is there sufficient Government funding to make it happen?
On a more specific point there is significant debate around the provision of electric charging infrastructure at airports. Should the emphasis be on reducing car use by improving public transport in the longer term? Or should we see electric vehicles as part of the solution to more sustainable and net zero surface access?
And if the aim is to provide an integrated transport network and reduce private car use – how might airports fill the funding gap resulting from lower car parking and drop off revenue?
Are airport operators taking advantage of digital solutions, in conjunction with their local transport providers, to make public transport more attractive so that driving to an airport in a private car isn’t the automatic first choice?

… And these are some of the points and observations coming out of the discussion

Key challenges faced by airports

The rail network is not “in synch” with the needs of the aviation industry
Investment into local bus networks is piecemeal and challenging
The business models for aviation, rail and highways and very different. There needs to be better understanding and an appreciation of the common benefits.
To date airlines have been on the periphery of the surface access discussion, they need to be brought into the debate.

Leadership and funding challenges

Funding and investments allocated to ‘transport’ is often split in such a way that aviation is on the back foot compared to other modes, particularly active travel and rail. This leads to a lack of connectivity and difficulty serving an airport’s full catchment area
Participants highlighted issues with central government funding, but at a local government level there are some great examples of initiatives and progress.
There isn’t enough investment from the private sector and with government directing investment to areas such as rail, bus, active travel etc, aviation is seen as low priority and not environmentally friendly.

Electric vehicles and parking charges

Vehicles are going electric, but accessing airports by private car might not decrease – meaning there is a need for parking to be maintained or even increased depending on demand. Revenue from parking charges could be re invested.
Leisure and business travellers have different needs and prioritise speed and cost in different ways.
Passengers will make decisions based on their circumstances and impacts, eg at Heathrow passengers arriving by car might have to pay the congestion charge, ULEZ charge, drop off charge and parking charges or at least a combination of them.
In the future AI enabled tech is expected to be able to predict the best option for travel to and from airports on a given time and day whether that be car, train, bus etc.
Innovations in future mobility, such as air taxis, could completely disrupt the landscape. But the demand for these services and their cost will determine their contribution to enhanced connectivity. Air taxis are looking to begin in the next 10 years in both the US and UK. But for that to happen many policy changes needed together with extensive input from regulators including CAA and FAA.

Innovative solutions and best practice. Who should be driving change?

Innovative solutions suggested to move some airport activities away from the airport to city centres e.g. remote check-in.
Be good to find where in the world surface access is working well and look for lessons learned.
There was a general consensus that airports are the catalyst for developing a sustainable integrated transport network, but that Governmental support is essential to help move forward.
Issues highlighted with central government funding, but through local governments there are some great examples of initiatives and progress.
Suggestion to have a united policy across the sector to go forward with the pursuit of economic growth and specific plans to joining gaps in connectivity with roads and rail services both for passenger and cargo operations.
Suggestion made to collaborate with airlines to form a hub and spoke model
Industry as a whole need to invest in new areas and make more connections
There is no one magic solution, more a blended solution, as one participant put it, “We can’t wait for a Central Government solution to Utopia, it’s more a case of locally driven blended solutions.”

And with thanks to our contributors: