Below is a statement from Henry Smith MP, Chair of the APPG for the Future of Aviation following the banning of outbound international travel as a part of the new lockdown measures.
“Today’s Covid-19 announcement on international travel restrictions is another serious blow to the already beleaguered aviation, travel and tourism industries, its employees and the communities who rely on them.
“Since March, I have been calling on the Government to provide the financial support that will protect our global connectivity and today’s announcement reinforces the need for immediate financial support to help our aviation industry survive the brutal reality they face.
“We can’t have a global Britain without a thriving aviation sector and the consequences of failing to act to protect them are simply unthinkable.”
Responding to the announcement of a ban on international leisure travel as a part of new lockdown measures, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive, Airlines UK and Karen Dee, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association said:
“This announcement is a 180-degree reversal of policy, since the Government added the Canaries to the travel corridors list just last week.
“Aviation has been devastated by the pandemic, and has essentially never had the opportunity to recover. A ban on international travel means airlines and airports, already hamstrung by quarantine, are closed businesses and will require financial support now – which other sectors like hospitality have received – alongside a comprehensive restart package.
“This needs to include immediate additional economic support for the winter and steps to support recovery, including urgent roll-out of a testing regime, business rates relief for airports, and an emergency waiver of Air Passenger Duty that will be essential for enabling and stimulating international travel – absolutely vital for the UK economy – for as long as we are living with this virus. Hundreds of thousands of jobs and our economic recovery are on the line.”
