There were 17 members of the committee and NIA staff present and 6 apologies.
1. Recent press coverage of airport activities was reviewed and a number of subjects explained to the committee. These included the plans for appointing a new CEO, Greenpeace lobbying passengers, the airports agreed Climate Change Policy, the new Emirates Dubai service, the proposed timetable for the new Control Tower, expected to be operational in October, and progress on the new hotel and the filling station. The Committee expressed concern over the diversion of the public footpath as a result of the hotel construction but was advised that this was temporary and the path would be reinstated once the hotel was finished.
2. The last 12 months have seen a record 5.7 million passengers use the airport. The number of aircraft movements is down however as larger aeroplanes and higher seat occupancy handle the extra passengers. There was concern about the number and severity of delays across the peak summer period and NIA agreed it was unsatisfactory and is working with the Companies concerned. It was agreed that Mr Peter Snell would be invited to the March Meeting to discuss passenger handling issues.
3. Customer comment cards were again discussed and the new design welcomed but the omission of a return address was questioned and the airport company will look again at this issue.
4. As this was the Committee AGM, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, after agreeing to continue, were re-elected. The Airport Company agreed to continue to provide the Secretariat to the Committee and was thanked for doing so. It was also agreed that the Committee would welcome members from other organisations eg, ABTA, NGI, Business Partners and Handling Agents. At the request of the Committee the Airport Company will invite one of the Handling Agents to the March 2008 meeting.
5. The Vice Chairman tabled a report from the Liaison Group of Consultative Committees AGM, which he attended at Stansted. The 2008 AGM will be held at Heathrow on 11th/12th June.
6. The Airport Company report highlighted a number of changes namely, developments to the Southside Site B, expansion of the Aviation Academy to provide for 100 additional students, the handling of wind turbine planning applications and noise complaints which totalled 31 for the quarter.
7. The next meeting will take place on 11th December 2007.