Exeter International Airport’s Managing Director Jamie Christon has attended the annual Airport Operators Association (AOA) conference at The Hilton Metropole in London this week.
The conference which was attended by over 200 delegates attracted record numbers of Managing Directors and culminated in the AOA Annual Awards Ceremony, the centrepiece of the Conference Dinner.
The winners, who were decided democratically by the AOA Board, included two of Exeter Airport’s partner companies; Best Retailer – World Duty Free, who have invested in a new look outlet in the departure lounge in the past 12 months and Best Service Provider – SSP, who have also enhanced their catering operations recently.
Mr Christon was able to congratulate the award winners and said: “In the recent difficult financial climate both SSP and World Duty Free have been excellent partners. They have worked with the airport to provide quality passenger facilities in a challenging environment.”
The AOA, which is the trade association that represents the interests of British airports also presented the transport portfolio holders of all three major political parties at the conference.
Mr Christon also commented: “We were able welcome the newly published Transport Select Committee’s report on the Future of Aviation, which is a rational contribution to a national debate on aviation. The Committee is right to say that the social and economic benefits of aviation need to be balanced with their environmental costs and we recommend that politicians secure a global deal on aviation emissions at Copenhagen.”
“Airport growth, which will provide further benefits to the economy, is possible within environmental limitations but we need an aviation policy that supports sensible and sustainable growth and an international deal on aviation emissions rather than UK-only taxes like Air Passenger Duty.
