Airlines UK and Airport Operators Association respond to the announcement of a ban on international leisure travel as a part of new lockdown measures

November 1st, 2020

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.”