Recent SASIG Activities

2025

The Policy and Regulatory challenges arising from New Aviation Technologies

The Independent Transport Commission (ITC), in partnership with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (SASIG), has released a major report – “The Policy and Regulatory Challenges Arising from New Aviation Technologies” – examining the transformative role that emerging technologies will play in shaping the future of aviation in the UK. Authored by Chris Cain of Northpoint Aviation, the report highlights how aviation faces a critical moment on decarbonisation, congestion and modernisation and must be urgently prioritised by the UK Government. The publication can be viewed here 

Past Activities

SASIG Chairman Keith Artus was one of the guest speakers at the Westminster Travel Forum’s conference: ‘Next steps for drone regulation and use in the UK’ held on 31 January 2023.

SASIG Policy Director Chris Cain met with the Aviation Minister, Robert Courts, at the British and Irish Airports Expo on the 23rd June 2022. He reported on the event and his conversation with the Minister at the members meeting on the 6th July 2022.

On the 30th June 2022, SASIG Chairman Keith Artus attended the levelling up event, ‘Realising regional growth: What next for the West Midlands?’, at the millennial point, Birmingham. Taking the opportunity to talk to current and former SASIG members at this major regional growth event. Hosted by the centre for cities, he reported on the event and conferences at the members meeting on the 6th July 2022.

SASIG Exhibits at the British and Irish Airports EXPO

We attended several of the parallel conference events, speaking to representatives across the industry across the two days, 22nd and 23rd June 2022, and welcoming the Minister for Aviation, Robert Courts, to the stand when he visited the Expo on the 23rd June 2022.

SASIG Engages with UK government

Policy director Chris Cain reported to the last Chairmans Advisory Group (CAG) that the extent of SASIG’s engagement with Whitehall departments and their agencies has increased materially over the last 3 years as SASIG has become the recognised voice for local government on civil aviation issues. SASIG is currently a member of the following consultation groups: 

• Airspace strategy board (airspace modernisation)
• ANEG (Noise and environment)
• ACOG Advisory panel (Airspace master plan)
• Future of Flight challenge (New technologies)

Other News

A letter from the LGA Chairman, Lord Porter, complimenting SASIG on its annual report to the Leadership Board and welcoming the Group’s achievements can be seen here.