BATA News

10/11/2008: "Because it's Full" - Message to MPs from BATA

In advance of the Commons debate, 'Adding capacity to Heathrow' being held on Tuesday 11 November, BATA has issued a statement explaining that Heathrow needs a third runway because it is is currently full. The statement can be found in the Media Centre section of this website.

06/11/2008: Response to Home Secretary's ID Card Speech

BATA's response to the ID Card speech by the Home Secretary earlier today is available in the media section of this website .

27/10/2008: International Emissions into National Plan "Won't Go"

BATA has responded to the reports that the Government will include international aviation and shipping emissions into the UK's national emissions targets. See today's media release in the Media Centre.

06/10/2008: New Secretary of State for Transport

BATA has welcomed the appointment of Geoff Hoon as the new Secretary of State for Transport, replacing Ruth Kelly.

25/09/2008: ID Cards - More Problems And Costs, Not Security Or Business Benefits

Roger Wiltshire, BATA Secretary General, told today's Financial Times that "Our position remains that we do not see the ID Scheme bringing any security or business benefts. All we see is it bringing additional problems and costs".

17/09/2008: Flying and Fair Trade - Party Conference Events, September 2008

Flying Matters, the broad coalition of which BATA is a part, will be holding fringe meetings at the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences in September entitled 'Flying and Fair Trade? Should we stop buying air-frieghted food to save the planet?'

15/09/2008: 100 Leading Businesses And Organisations Say Yes To A Third Runway

In a statement appearing in national newspapers today (15 September 2008), 100 companies and organisations have given their backing for a third runway to be built at Heathrow Airport, within strict environmental standards.

12/09/2008: XL Airways and Leisure Group

BATA very much regrets that one of its members, XL Airways has today been forced into adminstration. We welcome the efforts of many UK airlines to assist stranded passengers in getting home. The CAA has an advice page for those with affected by today's news on its website at: www.caa.co.uk/XLLeisureGroup.

20/08/2008: BATA Welcomes Competition Commission Findings

BATA has welcomed the key findings of the Competition Commission into airport ownership published today (20 August). A media release is available in the Media Centre of this website

18/08/2008: Updates to BATA Industry Data Sheets

Recent updates to the Industry Data sheets on this website include new figures for Characteristics of Passengers at UK Airports in 2006 and figures for UK Air Traffic Control - Movements & Delays in July and UK Airline Activity for April 2008.

06/08/2008: New Online Entry System To The USA

A new online entry system (ESTA) to the US will be complusory for British visitors from January 12 2009. Once ESTA is mandatory, all nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure will require an approved ESTA prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States. Voluntary ESTA applications are being accepted from August 2008.

01/08/2008: Green Taxes On Air Travel Exceed Climate Change Costs - Official

The Goverment now admits that UK air travel more than covers its climate change costs through green taxes, following the Emissions Cost Assessment published last month. However, the Government seems intent on forcing air travellers to pay even mor in environmental taxation.