RESOLVED -

That Godfrey Olson be appointed Chairman of the Committee for the year 2012/13.

RESOLVED -

That David Airey be appointed Vice Chairman of the Committee for the year 2012/13.

RESOLVED –

That Richard Ward be appointed as Honorary Secretary for the year 2012/13.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2012 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Dave Lees presented his report, previously circulated with the agenda, and agreed to answer any questions arising.  He further advised that the new linked flights with KLM at Schiphol were to be marketed in the next few months. 

Mr Lees confirmed that the Embraer 175 should be flying regularly from July  this year.  He was also able to advise that Vueling would be using the Airbus 319.

Councillor Jan Warwick asked who dealt with noise complaints at the Airport, as she wished to report a local resident’s comment that the person answering such calls was both reassuring and charming.  It was confirmed that Mike Glen dealt with such calls.

Patrick Collins reported that efforts continued to progress the 31 actions of the Noise Action Plan, two having already been completed; purchase of two noise monitors and establishing regular FLOPC meetings.  There were 22 ‘ongoing’ actions with a rolling timeline for completion, which were mainly statistical reporting requirements. Two actions were behind schedule,  both of which dealt with the annual noise contours, to be available next month.  Two further actions had not been progressed as awaiting Government guidelines on ‘quiet zones’.  Three more actions were to be started next year.  

The main action currently was the deployment of surface noise monitors, these were to be observed during the Olympic period with an option to extend this to cover the period of the Paralympics, if the Government choose to extend the airspace changes.   A meeting had been held with the Winchester Air Group (WAG) regarding the position of the 3 deployment points.

Mary Finch requested a printout of the statistics be provided to be sent out with the minutes.

Tony Wright presented his report summarising the statistics of operational activity at Southampton Airport for the January to April period of 2012 provided by BAA Southampton in accordance with the Flying Controls Agreement between the owners of the Airport and Eastleigh Borough Council.

The Committee noted the report.  Questions were asked regarding any increase in flights over the Olympic period.  Mr Lees reported that currently forward bookings for the period were low, but with the information that Farnborough Aerodrome was now fully booked it was thought bookings may increase.  However it was still expected that all flights would fall within the Flying Controls Agreement which permitted up to 10 night movements per month. 

Iain McDermott-Paine reported back from the Technical Working Group which was a sub group of the Airport Consultative Committee.  National Air Traffic Services were liaising closely with the Ministry of Defence and fighter planes were to be based at Northolt for the duration of the games.  The period might also be extended beyond 15 August for the Paralympics. 

No diversions to Southampton Airport were planned at this stage but the Airport was always available for emergencies.   It was however accepted that business aviation were still to book for the Olympic period.  Mr McDermott-Paine reiterated the fact the Farnborough were becoming fully booked as were other London Airports, but whatever bookings were received the Airport still expected to work within the Flying Controls Agreement. 

Noise statistics – ILS works had started on landings from the north although the Airport worked on a dual landing system but weather had forced postponement of this until the end of August.

The Airport were proud to confirm that the Olympic torch would be flying from Southampton Airport on the morning of 15 July and returning in the afternoon.

Steve Thurston gave a presentation on recent developments at the Airport.  The point for searches for departing passengers were being improved with an increase in space for passengers to prepare, more space to keep passengers flowing, automated tray return to reduce manual handling and larger trays to generally give a better experience.  Improvements were also being made to arrivals and baggage handling. Both projects would be completed this year.   The passenger drop off point had been relocated from the forecourt to the ground floor of the short term car park.  There was now a free 10 minute drop off and pick up point in the short term car park.  Mitchell way layout had been improved to reduce drop offs and pick ups along the road. 

Sustainable lighting solutions had been introduced with LED apron floodlighting (Southampton Airport were the first airport in the UK to achieve this).  These lights reduced energy usage improved light quality and reduced maintenance requirements. The use of LED lights would be extended, but the car park already had lights that dim during periods with no activity.

Mr Lees advised that the next Airport Consultative Committee meeting was to be held at the Airport when these improvements could be highlighted.  Members were asked to ensure they bring their passports as they may go airside (unfortunately no flights would be involved!).

To include an update on the proposed Constitutional changes referred to at the June 2011 meeting of the Southampton Airport Consultative Committee.

Richard Ward explained that every year Airport Consultative Committees from 20 of the largest airports across the UK met to discuss matters.

This year the main issues were:

Government Aviation Policy

Rail links to Airports

UK Border Controls

The new wider role for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

UK and European aviation updates.

Details of the discussions had been provided with the agenda in the form of notes on the conference compiled by the representative from Stanstead Airport. 

On the issue of rail links, although Southampton had excellent links to the railway when the franchises changed it was important to reply to consultations to ensure the airport remained well served.  The Southern rail franchise was currently under consideration.  Councillor Airey advised that the Southern rail franchise was to be merged with the Thames link which would then become the biggest in the country.  This area would include trains from Brighton and Victoria and this seems the ideal opportunity to see if the Airport might be able to benefit from such a service.  The Committee agreed to make representation on the consultation and officers of Eastleigh Borough Council would be tasked with preparing such representation on its behalf.

Mr Ward also advised that there had been an expectation that a paper would be released in February this year relating to the constitution of Airport Consultative Committees, however no such paper had yet been published.  Mrs Finch asked if there was any indication what changes this paper might recommend.  Mr Ward advised there was no indication at this stage.

Unusually The Chairman introduced any other business which did not generally form part of the agenda. On this occasion however he wished to advise the meeting that he had recently spoken to Tony Balcombe, the retired chairman who still took a very active interest in the Committee.  Although Mr Balcombe had sounded quite bright his health was still of great concern, and Mrs Balcombe had also been very unwell recently.  The Committee requested a letter expressing their best wishes be sent to Mr and Mrs Balcombe.

9 October 2012 2pm at the Civic Offices Eastleigh.

The next meeting was to be held on Tuesday 9 October at 2pm in the Spitfire Room at the Airport.  (Members were reminded to bring their passports as these would be required for security purposes.)