Two UK travel experts have spoken on what they see as the priorities for the next government ahead of the UK general election.

The trade body representing ground services firms, Aviation Services UK, has said the incoming government must do more to increase passenger and cargo capacity at UK airports if the economy is to grow.

David Leighton , Chief Executive at ASUK, commented; “New infrastructure is urgently needed. Heathrow’s delayed expansion is directly holding back economic growth, as the loss of ad-hoc freighter slots demonstrates.

“Freight – whether moving by air, land, or sea – is the lifeblood of our economy, but the arteries that carry that lifeblood have been clogging up for decades. This is most severe in aviation, where lack of capacity is biting hard.

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“The industry’s shared commitment to decarbonisation, in part enabled by the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, underlines why it’s time to reinvigorate the case for sustainable airport expansion.”

ABTA Chief Executive, Mark Tanzer is of the opinion that any incoming government needs to create the conditions for travel businesses to compete successfully, as well as promoting the sector as good place to work.

He said: “Now is the time to engage with candidates locally to make sure they recognise the value of travel and tourism, and the importance of our industry in terms of both the economic and employment contribution we bring to communities across the country.

“We know the next Parliament will make critical decisions that will shape the future of our industry – including on investments in the development of domestic sustainable aviation fuels industry, setting the rules for aviation and cruise around emissions, reforming education provision, and addressing our future relationship with the European Union”.

The UK votes this Thursday, July 4th. The winner will be announced the following morning.