aef.org.uk

6th July, 2026 The government has long said that the expansion must meet its four tests – these are: • that it contributes to economic growth across the country • that it meets our air quality obligations • that it is consistent with our noise commitments • and crucially, that it aligns with our legal obligations on climate change, including net zero The NGO community argued in this briefing that those tests were vague and could not guarantee that expansion could take place without...

Skip to content 30th June, 2026 For the first time in ten years, the UK Government has published new research on the effect of aviation noise on the public. Aviation Noise Attitudes Survey (ANAS) and the Department for Transport companion Aviation Night Noise Effects (ANNE) study are the most significant update to the aviation noise evidence base in over a decade. Together, they show that people are highly annoyed at far lower noise levels than current policy recognises.

24th June, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The CCC’s Progress Report 2026 comes just days after the government published its draft planning framework for Heathrow airport expansion which, on current trends, could result in aviation emissions of 41Mt of CO2 by 2050. On aviation, the CCC warns there are “significant risks” to the delivery of the volumes of 2nd and 3rd generation SAF needed to contribute to the government’s decarbonisation pathway from 2027.

Skip to content 11th June, 2026 The long-awaited Attitudes to Daytime Aircraft Noise Study (ANAS) and the Aviation Night-time Noise Effects (ANNE) study have just been published by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport, on the eve of the publication of the draft Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) which could set the bar for noise policy for years to come.

Skip to content 8th June, 2026 The Government has long promised that any expansion at Heathrow Airport would have to meet ‘four tests,’ in the areas of air quality, noise pollution, economic benefit and the UK’s net zero targets. While these ‘four tests’ have long been discussed, we believe they are under-developed, ambiguous and subject to political reframing.

16th April, 2026 The government has just concluded a consultation into the design of contracts to be awarded to fuel producers under the new Revenue Certainty Mechanism. The government support package is intended to be the final step in helping producers of fuels from waste (2nd generation) and synthetic fuels (3rd generation) get final investment decisions for their production facilities.

Skip to content 15th April, 2026 Airports emit forms of air pollution, coming from aircraft engines, ground support equipment, and associated road traffic. The types of gases and particulate matter includes: nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM). Ultrafine particles, also known as UFPs, come under the category of particulate matter, and are classified by their size.

9th April, 2026 The Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) is the principal UK non-profit organisation working to ensure aviation’s growth is balanced against its environmental impacts, from noise affecting local communities to the sector’s significant contribution to climate change. This annual report charts our work over the past year advocating for stronger policy, holding industry and government to account, and supporting communities affected by airport expansion and flight path changes.

9th April, 2026 In this edition of AEF’s news update we will take you through the reporting trends that have been developing in the last few months, including a back and forth over the state of the aviation industry’s environmental commitments. Plain Sailing? ‘This is real progress, not a future promise’ The aviation industry has generally been confident about meeting sustainability targets through the backing of a whole host of tech and efficiency measures.

24th March, 2026 In 2017, Scotland passed the Air Departure Tax (ADT) Act, effectively paving the way for Air Passenger Duty (APD) on flights departing from Scottish airports to be replaced by a devolved tax implemented by the Scottish Government. Following a commitment in the 2026-2027 Scottish budget, a recent consultation set out proposals for how ADT will be implemented when it comes into effect on 1 April 2027.