In line with Sustainable Aviation’s recently published long term strategy, RABA Group, the voice of the
UK’s smaller regional and business airports, gives full support to UK aviation’s commitment to achieving
net zero emissions by 2050. Delivering net zero carbon for aviation will only be achievable as a
coordinated approach, with substantial investment from industry and development of smart low-carbon
policies and appropriate infrastructure by the UK Government, working in partnership with the sector.
The airports represented by RABA Group are fully committed to working towards a low-carbon future
whilst continuing to provide the regional connectivity that is essential to the economic prosperity of all
parts of the United Kingdom and Crown Dependencies.
The UK Regional and Business Airports (RABA) Group represents 33 UK airports with scheduled
passenger throughputs of less than 3 million passengers per annum; four of them based in the Crown
Dependencies. Although every member airport, and the catchment it serves, faces its own unique
challenges and operating environment, there are also many common issues and opportunities that
RABA’s collective voice helps to highlight with key decision-makers and influencers and offer a pro-
active policy responses to. The Group’s overarching aim is to underline the strategic importance of the
UK’s smaller airports and the economic value they create.
All RABA Group’s members are currently developing their own local plans for net zero carbon airports,
including the Highlands and Islands Net Zero Region. RABA Group however also recognises the need for
good public private collaborations to help deliver the requisite steps to deliver sustainable aviation
commitments. For instance, government has a role in facilitating the necessary infrastructure to deliver.
www.rabagroup.co.uk
This may well include designing the appropriate legislative framework; encouraging initiatives to
encourage the take-up and availability of aviation biofuels at regional airports; supporting pathfinder
pilots and best-practice exemplars for others to follow and agreeing a roadmap which airlines and
airports can buy into. For instance, government can favour responsible industry actors through their
funding and procurement policies and practices.