To receive a verbal update.

The Forum clerk, Andy Carswell, read out the contents of an email sent by Vic Chetty, Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Heathrow, to Chris Joyce,  Head of Infrastructure, Sustainability and Economic Growth, as neither were available to attend the meeting. The message stated that Heathrow would soon be contacting the Royal Borough regarding the current Airspace Modernisation proposal, in particular the level of detail of the current activity of engagement on design principles for the proposed airspace change. It was hoped that RBWM would respond to the email message and be able to take part in the next engagement workshop, on a date to be confirmed.

The email from Vic Chetty also included a business update on operations at Heathrow. It stated that the Covid 19 pandemic was continuing to have a very large impact on the aviation industry. Passenger numbers remained at just under 40 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in September, whilst EU rivals enjoyed stronger resurgence over the summer. North American traffic was only 25 per cent of 2019 levels. Cargo, which was carried in the hold of passenger planes, was close to eight per cent down by volume on 2019, which reflected the way in which travel restrictions had been damaging UK exports and supply chains. Heathrow had welcomed the easing of testing requirements and red-list reduction, which it stated would make international travel simpler, cheaper, and less stressful for all passengers.

The message went on to say that the removal of PCR tests for vaccinated travellers in October and the opening up in the US should mean that passengers can book with confidence for Half Term and Christmas travel, and put Heathrow on track for recover. However Heathrow had three issues it had raised with the government. The airport was still waiting for the date for when the move from PCR to Lateral Flow tests would commence; it had hoped for this to be done before the October half term. It was also hoped there would be an eventual move away from costs of tests altogether, as some European countries did not require payment for Lateral Flow tests. Additionally it was hoped the reopening of US borders to vaccinated passengers could take place before Thanksgiving. Discussions were still ongoing regarding Business Rates, with lobbying for Heathrow as a business to receive appropriate renumeration of costs, in proportion to the financial losses incurred. The Bill legislating out of MCC claims was currently progressing through the House of Lords.

Nigel Davies told the Forum that Councillor Hilton had attended a Zoom workshop on October 1^st on the airspace modernisation proposals, which impacted on Windsor due to the north runway being used for take offs. He suggested an update from Councillor Hilton would be useful. Councillor Bowden said he had been critical of Heathrow as he considered the appropriate work had been done on taxi ways and for using the north runway for departures during Covid lockdowns. Nigel Davies said the airspace consultation focused on a redesign of the Compton departure route, an easterly alternative route for take offs, and a parallel approach to landings; however all three of these proposals would impact negatively on Windsor. He stated that Heathrow had acknowledged they would require planning permission for the proposals from Hillingdon Council. Councillor Bowden said he had attempted to raise this point in the past but had not been able to speak to anyone at Heathrow with the appropriate level of knowledge on aircraft operations.