Welcoming the Chancellor’s announcement of the extension of the Job Retention Scheme, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association Karen Dee said:
“The extension of the Job Retention Scheme and the promised flexibility from August is a major step forward and will be welcomed by all airports.
“However, with open-ended quarantine restrictions planned, aviation is unlikely to be in a position to recover meaningfully before October. This was underlined this morning by Health Secretary Matt Hancock saying that is “likely to be the case” that summer holidays will be cancelled.
“Aviation needs further Government support to get us through this prolonged period of near-zero passengers and revenue. The Chancellor should announce an extension of business rate relief to airports, provide relief from Civil Aviation Authority charges and provide sector-wide liquidity support to reflect that existing scheme will now not be suitable following the quarantine announcement.
“Other countries have already taken dramatic steps to support their aviation industries. The Chancellor should do likewise to ensure his economic support measures are truly world-leading and prevent UK aviation from falling behind our global competitors.”
ENDS
