How our positive approach can help us to keep flying high

Oct 14 2009 By The Journal

THERE'S little doubt about it, the last few years have been tough for businesses in our region, as they have across the UK and the globe.

But perhaps those fabled green shoots of recovery are finally starting to appear. Understandably, there's still a great degree of nervousness and caution amongst the business community, and there's no doubt we remain in difficult territory.

But perhaps now is the time to put some of the doom and gloom to one side and allow positive thinking to prevail. After all, the North East has weathered the economic storm remarkably well. This doesn't surprise me. Having been born and bred in the region, I am well aware of the unique optimism and ambition that drives the people here. What better way to celebrate the achievements of regional business than with the Fastest 50?

Times have been tough and, regrettably, some businesses have fallen by the wayside. But while the global economic recession has presented challenges too great for many, it has also demanded that we review the shape of our businesses and work to make them leaner, more efficient and more responsive to changing markets.

We in the aviation industry have been hit as hard as any sector. As businesses have cut back on travel budgets and exports and as holidaymakers have tightened their belts, so airlines across the world have been forced to review and consolidate their route networks.

Our challenge over the last two years has been to retain the airlines who serve the region, to shore up existing routes and to convince our airline partners of the resilience of the North East and the long-term prospects for growth.

Decisions made by airlines to withdraw routes can have damaging effects on regional economies. Take the recent example of easyJet, which chose to withdraw services from East Midlands Airport in September and dramatically reduce its capacity at Luton. We can't afford for that to happen here, and we are working tirelessly to ensure that it does not. Regional businesses rely on the airport for the connections we provide to world markets and the ease of access global customers demand in order to do business in the North East.

But if the airport has always been important, it will be absolutely critical as the region emerges from the recession. We have a vital role to play in ensuring the North East recovers successfully and is positioned strongly to exploit new opportunities for business growth. We will be a key driver of the recovery, providing air links which fuel new business development, inward investment and exporting.

The developments and investments we are currently making at Newcastle International form part of our long-term strategy for the airport. The fact that we are continuing to move forward with large-scale capital projects is great news for the region. The investments we have made in our new air traffic control tower and recently resurfaced runway show our commitment to safety, while developments such as the new hotel and petrol filling station will deliver hundreds of new jobs for local people. These projects are already providing vital work for many businesses and suppliers at a time when the North East needs employment opportunities more than ever.

The media is often accused of focusing too heavily on the failures of business when times are tough. But The Journal has yet again shown itself to be a true supporter of this region. The Fastest 50 is a source of great pride for our region and we should celebrate the achievements of those who have prospered .

I have always been immensely proud of our region and I have nothing but respect and admiration for those businesses that have succeeded in forging ahead this year. They make me proud of the North East and they give me, and I am sure many others, confidence in a prosperous, successful and dynamic future for our region.

David Laws is chief executive, Newcastle International Airport