FlyingMatters: "Aviation is working – let’s keep it that way"

Thousands of jobs in the North West could be exported without world class international connections, according to pro-aviation coalition, FlyingMatters.

To emphasise what is at risk, FlyingMatters staged a photocall with hundreds of people queuing to get on an aircraft ‘job centre.’ The image will form the basis of a campaign to promote the thousands of new jobs aviation expects to help create by 2030. The campaign will form part of an industry-wide effort to encourage politicians to support continued airport modernisation and development around the UK.

International visitors to the North West are expected to double to over five million a year by 2030 and could create thousands of new jobs in the tourism sector alone.

Development of airports in the North West planned over the next 20 years are expected to add millions of pounds in additional revenue to the regional economy every year by 2030, equivalent to an average £1300 each for everyone in the region.

Rt Hon Brian Wilson, Chairman of FlyingMatters, said:
"The long term growth in international visitors and global trade is expected to create thousands of new jobs throughout the North West and the UK as a whole in hotels, visitor attractions, restaurants as well as high value, high tech jobs in key sectors. That’s in addition to the half a million jobs currently supported by the aviation industry itself in the UK.

"When we begin to emerge from the current recession only countries which have world class international airports and connections will be able to take full advantage of the predicted growth in international visitors and trade. Without them, it won’t be goods or services we’re exporting: it will be jobs."

He added:
"Aviation is working – let’s keep it that way."

In support of this campaign, Neil Pakey, Deputy CEO of Peel Airports, commented, "It is essential that Airports such as Liverpool can continue to grow and expand in the coming years, bringing future benefits to the local and regional economy. The importance of tourism to the UK and the regions was highlighted at last week’s National Tourism Summit held here in Liverpool. As gateways for visitors to the regions, Liverpool and other Airports will need to continue to develop, if we are to capitalise on future tourism opportunities, otherwise we will lose out to our competitors in Europe."