RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on the 17 June 2016 be confirmed and signed as a true record.

David Lees, the Managing Director of Southampton Airport International Limited (SIAL) delivered a report, previously circulated with the Agenda.

Southampton Airport experienced the busiest ever summer period during July and August. Passenger numbers increased by 14.6% compared to the same period in 2015.

SIAL came top of the CAA report which rated airports on quality of assistance for passengers with a disability or reduced mobility. Thirty airports were assessed on how well they supported passengers with special needs and Southampton was rated as “very good” amongst ten other airports.

Southampton Airport topped the list of UK airports in terms of passenger satisfaction and staff courtesy in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey.

The ASQ survey was a global benchmarking programme measuring passengers’ satisfaction while they were at the airport.

It was also shortlisted for the Company of the Year Award in the 2016 Solent Business Awards. The winner would be announced on 20 October 2016.

SIAL introduced the priority Pick-up and Drop-off for which there is a charge of £1.00 and which was limited to 10 minutes. There would still be a free pick up available from the Long Stay car park.

Passengers with a valid Blue Badge would be able to pay £1.00 and would be limited to 30 minutes in the priority Pick-up and Drop-off.

Southampton Airport organised a run on the runway in support of “Where there’s a Will”. Four hundred runners took part and nearly £8000 was raised for the charity.

SIAL was successfully present on all social media including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and also run their own online blog.

Hazel Screech, Southampton Airport Terminal Operations Manager delivered a report on working with People with Restricted Mobility (PRM).

Southampton International Airport delivered a very high level of PRM support through ensuring that “Quality standards published 2014” was followed.

SIAL worked in partnership with organisations and charities representing disabled people.

Extra attention was being paid to ensure that the Airport staff had the right knowledge and skills to identify the varying needs of PRM’s.

Overall PRMs represented 1% of passengers using the Airport. 89% of PRMs pre booked the PRM service which allowed the Airport staff for better planning.

Based on the “Accessible air travel: Airport performance report 2015/16 CAP 1438” SIAL was placed in the “very good” category.

Southampton Airport would keep investing to provide a very good level of PRM assistance in the future. Special assistance desk with hearing loops was introduced recently alongside with improvements to existing signage.

The Airport held a PRM open day where a number of organisations and charities were invited to attend. It was a great opportunity to exchange knowledge and to train staff.

Airport’s Managing Director Dave Lees agreed to liaise with Phil Bates –The Licensing Manager at Southampton City Council in reference to procedures for PRM passengers using the priority pick up and drop off.

Councillor Airey thanked Hazel Screech for delivering the report and proposed that “Working with Disabilities” would return on the Agenda in a years’ time.

RESOLVED – That “Working with Disabilities” be included on an Agenda in one year’s time.

The Noise Action plan was designed to aid SIAL to minimise impact of air traffic noise on the neighbouring area.

There were 23 complaints between January and August 2016.

Statistics were very satisfying, taking into account the number of new airlines operating from the airport.

An Air Quality Survey was conducted and only 1.7% of pollution was contributed by the airport business compared to in excess of 5% when a similar study was undertaken in 2006. Most of the air pollution in the airport area was contributed to by road traffic from adjacent off airport sources.

There was nothing to report. Night flights statistics would be detailed separately in the future reports.

The minutes of the most recent meeting of the Technical Working Group were circulated to members with the agenda, and were noted at the meeting.

Vortex incident - There was a Vortex incident at Kingsfold Avenue in Townhill Park area of Southampton.

BAE 146F aircraft, which was approaching the runway from the South, caused damage to a house with roof tiles being dislodged.

SIAL covered all the costs of mending damage to the property and gave the householder a good will gesture gift. It was a rare event and was resolved promptly and professionally. 

The next meeting would be held on the 10 February 2017. The venue would be arranged and communicated in the future.