The three leading trade associations in the aviation sector have come together to call on the government to be “bold” when it launches its consultation on aviation policy next month. 

ADS Group (ADS), the Airport Operators Association (AOA) and the British Air Transport Association (BATA) issued a joint statement earlier calling on the government to “prioritise a favourable planning and regulatory regime” for aviation.

Together the bodies represent over 2,800 aviation manufacturers, airports and airlines.

“As the coalition government recognises, the UK’s economy needs to compete in both established and emerging markets,” explained the statement.

“This requires excellent aviation connectivity right across the country, ensuring the UK has both vibrant point to point airports and sufficient world class hub capacity.

“This means prioritising a favourable planning and regulatory regime and developing a bold aviation policy, permitting new airport capacity where required.

“To ensure there is no further erosion of the UK’s competitive position, the Government must set a clear timetable for these measures to be put in place, as part of a new aviation policy.”

The government has presently ruled out expansion at all airports in the south of England.

Scrapping of plans to build a third runway at Heathrow have proved particularly divisive.

BATA chief executive, Simon Buck, said: “Aviation is directly responsible for nearly a million jobs.

“If one looks at the wider visitor economy as a whole, its direct and indirect impact is 8.2 per cent of GDP, equivalent to £114 billion and 2.6 million jobs.”