UK airlines respond to Government announcement on the removal of remaining travel corridors

“Travel corridors were a lifeline for the industry last summer and the Government were right to bring them in when they did. But things change and there’s no doubting this is a serious health emergency and Ministers need to act to keep borders safe and the public protected. We therefore support this latest measure, on the assumption that we will work with Government – when the time is right – to remove these restrictions when it is safe to do so and start to open up our sector again, to support the UK’s economic recovery.”  

UK airlines respond to Government announcement on pre-departure testing for arrivals beginning this Friday

Responding to the announcement by the Government that air passengers, from 4am on Friday, will be required to take a Covid test before travelling back to the UK, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“This is a national health emergency and Ministers need to act to keep the country safe. It is true that much of the sector has been lobbying for pre-departure testing – but this was always predicated on the Government removing or reducing the quarantine period at the same time. Now we have both quarantine and pre-departure testing. That’s why this new policy needs to be a time-limited, emergency measure only, in place not a second longer than necessary, and with a proper review mechanism once lockdown comes to an end. We cannot afford for this to be baked in over the whole Summer.

 

“The focus must be on returning travel to normal as quickly as possible and removing the need to quarantine or take a test as the UK population is vaccinated. Ideally, as the vaccination roll-out gathers pace and the most at-risk parts of the country are inoculated, we can start to see the economy, and travel, open up, which would enable the sector to have what will be a critical summer season for aviation.”

 

UK airlines respond to Government announcement on pre-departure testing for arrivals

Responding to the announcement by the Government that air passengers will be required to take a Covid test before travelling back to the UK, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“We recognise the UK Government’s need to act now and support the introduction of pre-departure testing in order to keep the country safe and borders open. However, this should be a short-term, emergency measure only and once the roll-out of the vaccine accelerates, the focus must be on returning travel to normal as quickly as possible in order to support the UK’s economic recovery. This includes removing the need to quarantine or test as the UK population is vaccinated and the virus is brought under control at home and abroad. Ultimately, cheaper and quicker testing is required to ensure travel can be accessible while testing is required but then needs to be unwound once vaccinations and the overall threat of Covid recedes.” 

UK airlines statement on EU Commission recommendation on restoration of essential travel between UK and EU

Responding to the recommendation from the European Commission that essential travel between the UK and EU should resume, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“We note the Commission’s guidance but clearly this now needs to be enacted by EU member states, who have so far put in place their own rules. It remains to be seen what action they will take but our position remains that testing rather than flight bans is the only way to facilitate travel and get the economy and aviation moving again.”

UK airlines welcome aviation testing regime announcement

Responding to the announcement by the Government that an aviation testing regime will be introduced from 15 December, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“This is a hugely welcome step that will begin the process of opening up international travel and restarting UK aviation. It is a good start and by more than halving the quarantine period we should see demand tentatively return and more routes and destinations become viable once again.

That said, a test at day 5 does not get rid of quarantine and that’s why we look forward to working with Government to move towards a pre-departure or domestic testing regime that can remove safely the need for self-isolation altogether, as quickly as possible. This is the only way we’re going to comprehensively reopen the market. But, with this announcement there is now light at the end of the tunnel not just for carriers and UK aviation but consumers looking to get away at Christmas and beyond.”  

UK airlines respond to furlough scheme extension

Responding to the announcement today by the Chancellor that the furlough scheme will be extended to the end of March, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“This is a welcome announcement and all the more important with aviation now essentially closed following the new lockdown travel restrictions. Furlough extension will enable carriers to retain more of the key staff and highly skilled roles that will be essential for when demand returns, but which otherwise would be at real risk.

“However, wage support covers only a portion of the high cost base airlines must cover simply to exist, and carriers face this new lockdown in a far weaker position than when the crisis started in March. Airlines – which have spent the past few months desperately cutting costs and taking on billions of pounds of collective additional debt – urgently need access to further liquidity measures to shore up their balance sheets, and the immediate introduction of a UK testing regime instead of blanket quarantine, to provide much needed certainty for customers so they can travel again with confidence.”

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

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.”

 

 

 

UK airlines respond to arrivals testing announcement

Responding to the announcement made today by the Transport Secretary on arrivals testing, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

 “That the Government is considering testing is a step forward but we need to see the detail. Ultimately we need to get to pre-departure testing for all arrivals in the UK – which is becoming the international norm – as soon as practically possible. Aviation is at a critical juncture and we have no time to lose, and we urge the Prime Minister to move quickly to get testing off the ground no later than the end of November so Britain does not lose further ground with its closest rivals.”

 

UK economy loses £32m every day as result of no airbridge with the US

  • New report details massive daily cost to the UK economy of lack of air link to the US
  • £121bn in UK exports and £417bn in Foreign Direct Investment at risk as air link remains closed between the UK and its most important trading partner
  • £3.5bn lost from US tourism and business travellers is revealed to be having a major impact on the restaurant, hospitality and retail sectors, impacting thousands of jobs
  • UK-wide issue, not just London and the South East, with 80 weekly flights between the US and six regional airports currently on ice
  • Report states the urgent need for bilateral agreement between the US and UK for city or state-based travel corridors and a robust airport testing programme to begin opening up this key trade, tourism and business corridor

A new report jointly commissioned by Airlines UK, International Airlines Group, Heathrow Airport and Collinson reveals the true economic and social impact of the closed borders between two of the world’s most critical trading partners. The report concludes that while the closed border has had a major impact on the aviation sector, the impact across the entire UK economy is devastating.

The impact of COVID-19 on the air transport market between the UK and the US has been dramatic and widely reported. As travel restrictions came into force in late March, seat capacity fell by around 92% compared to April 2019. In September, published seat capacity is around 85% down on 2019 and high capacity summer months have been lost.

The new joint report provides critical insight into the broader impact of the closed route between the US and the UK, revealing that the hit to UK GDP in 2020 is estimated to be at least £11 billion, with a significant proportion falling in Q4. By the beginning of October the closed air corridor between the US and the UK will be costing the UK economy £32m each and every day the air corridor remains closed.

John Holland Kaye, CEO of Heathrow Airport, said: “This is a stark warning that action is needed immediately to safely open up connections with our key trading partners in the US. We can start with flights to New York, a city where infection rates are now lower than here, and which is the UK’s most valuable route. PCR testing in private labs, both pre-flight and on arrival, would ensure that there is no risk of importing COVID and could pave the way to a Common International Standard for aviation testing.”

The UK sees more visitors by air from the US than from any other country, ordinarily welcoming nearly 4 million visitors each year – making the US the largest single source of inbound tourism and business travel to the UK economy. Visitors from the US spent a total of £3.8 billion during 2019, but this figure is expected to fall by £3.1 billion in 2020. Critically, the average duration of a trip by US visitors is seven days, meaning that current quarantine rules effectively lock these high-spending visitors out of the UK.

Alex Cruz, CEO of British Airways, said: “Government inaction on aviation and its impact on Britain’s economy couldn’t be clearer. Time is running out. Ministers must reach agreement with their US counterparts on a testing regime that minimises quarantine and permits regional travel corridors to re-open the UK-US market. They must learn from trials across the globe and start implementing new measures as soon as possible to return confidence in flying and protect thousands of jobs.”

While recognising that public health cannot be compromised, there is widespread industry and public frustration that blanket country-level travel restrictions are a blunt tool that unnecessarily sever economic ties when viable alternative policies like airport testing are available.

Airport-based COVID-19 testing has been embraced by more than 30 countries around the world and is now in use at more than half the world’s busiest airports including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Tokyo Haneda and Dubai International.

David Evans, Joint CEO of airport services company Collinson, said: “We’ve always known that travel brings an immeasurable value to economies as well as societies at large, but Covid-19 has put into perspective just how critical and quantifiable it is. Testing at the border has been extensively trialled internationally, in locations with very strong scientific oversight such as Germany and found to be a safe means to get the world travelling again. We have a ready-built facility at Heathrow as well as private testing and lab capacity that will not impact Government supplies in any way. All we need is the green light from Government.”

Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: “The US is one of our most vital markets, worth tens of billions of pounds in trade every year, and millions of Americans come to the UK to visit and spend money in our shops, restaurants and tourist attractions. It’s critical we reopen this link, starting with the all-important London-New York route, so our economy and aviation sector can start the long road to recovery, and we urge Governments on both sides of the Atlantic to redouble their efforts to launch a testing regime as quickly as possible. In the absence of a vaccine, testing for arriving passengers – alongside regional travel corridors – remains the only way to resume international travel.”

Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, said: “Our economic recovery will not take off without the free movement of people and goods. The closure of the US border since mid-March, coupled with the UK’s 14-day quarantine policy, effectively cuts us off from our most important economic partner. We need urgent government action now to introduce regional travel corridors for mainland US states, starting with New York and New Jersey where infection rates are lower than in the UK. 14 day quarantine must be replaced by a robust passenger testing regime for countries and regions where the risk is higher. More than 30 countries have already stolen a march and introduced passenger testing. If we don’t act now Britain will be left even further behind, putting many more thousands of jobs at risk across the country.”

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chair Mike Cherry, said: “The ties between the UK and US have long been crucial to the economies of both sides of the Atlantic, and now more than ever we’re seeing just how important those bonds are. Small businesses in parts of the country rely heavily on tourists visiting from the US, whether that be in cities like London or Edinburgh or in popular scenic areas right across the country. The past few months have been difficult for all businesses who have lost out on this crucial market.

“And for small firms waiting on the delivery of products to sell or as part of supply chains, it’s been an equally difficult time with factories forced to close or restrictions delaying manufacturing lines. The US is the number one target for small businesses looking to export, which is why we need to see these quarantine rules reviewed to help our ailing small firms both in the UK and the US.”

UK USA Travel Restrictions Impact Infographic

Immediate Action Required to Support UK Aviation – Letter to PM

The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA

10 September 2020

Dear Prime Minister,

Immediate action required to support UK aviation

In July this year, we wrote to you as leaders in UK aviation to urge you to take immediate action to
support the future of our industry over the summer season, including with the development of
Covid-19 testing and targeted regional travel corridors.

The announcement this week of an “islands” policy with respect to travel quarantine is a welcome
step which may support the reopening of some international markets, but it is by no means enough
to support the sector and the world-beating connectivity it supports through what we know will be
the most challenging winter season we have ever faced.

Our industry is in crisis. This year we expect to carry passenger numbers not seen since the 1990s, a
simply unsustainable situation. A recovery to 2019 levels is not expected for at least four years and
as a result, UK airlines alone have announced or begun consulting on over 30,000 job losses. Many
thousands more are under threat across their supply chain. With 79% of international visitors to the
UK arriving by air, we play a vital role in supporting half a million jobs across leisure, retail,
hospitality and entertainment. Our cities, high streets and world class attractions will simply not
recover until they return. We are an island and there’s no option but to fly.

The summer season, where carriers make the bulk of their revenues and traditionally strengthen
their balance sheets, has been lost. We are now faced with a bleak winter period with no certainty
as to which markets we can operate to, depressed passenger demand, a Job Retention Scheme (JRS)
which is due to end in October, and the absence of a support package for aviation which other
countries across Europe – long ago – put in place for their own sectors.

Covid-19 testing is already being employed by over 30 countries and half the world’s busiest airports
as a safe and effective alternative to quarantine. It has the potential to be a hugely important tool
for authorities to safely open travel without quarantine from countries or regions deemed higher
risk, such as the United States and Canada. The UK is already falling well behind international rivals,
such as Germany, France and Iceland.

The aviation industry has been engaging with the Government on introducing testing of its own for
several months. The Transport Secretary told the House of Commons on Monday that he would
come back to the House over the “coming weeks” to set out further details, following continued
talks within Whitehall. Now is the time for action. We urge you to announce and implement a
policy on testing before the end of this month, and an expansion of regional travel corridors to
mainland areas. The stakes could not be higher. We risk economic ruin otherwise.

A Covid-19 PCR test following a 5-day quarantine on arrival into the UK offers a credible balance
between protecting public health and increasing demand for air travel. At the same time, the
Government should implement a trial – for example between London and New York – testing both on
arrival and at day 5, which would provide real-world data to give Ministers the reassurance that a
one-test on arrival system is safe.

Alongside testing, regional travel corridors will help to keep open markets that otherwise – through
a whole country approach – would remain closed. There are countless examples of countries
collecting data at a regionalised level which point to lower infection rates than in the country as a
whole. This more targeted approach to travel corridors will be vital to preserving what limited
connectivity we may have this winter.

We know this winter is going to be the toughest on record for the UK economy, and particularly the
aviation sector. We therefore believe a meaningful package of economic measures to support the
industry and save jobs is also required. Therefore, we ask for:

● An APD waiver for the next 12 months, which would protect regional connectivity, boost
passenger demand and protect 8,000 jobs.

● Extend the Job Retention or Skills Retention scheme for aviation, and key industries, that
continue to be impacted by Covid-19 restrictions. While helpful, the JRS is being wound
down at the exact time demand is expected to be depressed as markets are prevented from
opening because of travel restrictions.

● In addition, and as stated above, we request an immediate testing trial – for example from
London to New York – testing both on arrival and at day 5, to provide real-world data which
we hope will give Ministers the reassurance to move to a one-test on arrival system in
future. Alongside this and before the end of the month, a one-test testing system with the
test taking place no later than 5 days following arrival into the UK.

● A greater list of regional travel corridors beyond the ‘islands’ policy announced this week.
In sum, we ask you to act urgently to implement a programme of recovery for our sector. We also
ask you and your cabinet colleagues to consider these basic questions: do you want international
connectivity from the UK? Do you want the UK to remain the 3rd best connected country in the
world? Do you want to make Global Britain a reality rather than merely a slogan? If the answer to
any of these questions is “yes” then, before it is too late, you must grasp this last chance to save the
aviation industry, and with it so much prosperity across the UK.

Yours sincerely,

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive, Airlines UK
Alex Cruz, Chief Executive, British Airways
Owain Jones, Managing Director, Wizz Air UK
Michael O’Leary, Chief Executive, Ryanair
Steve Heapy, Chief Executive, Jet2.com
Alastair Wilson, Managing Director, Titan Airways
Andy Offer, Director, 2Excel
Kenton Jarvis, CEO Aviation, Tui
Jonathan Hinkles, Chief Executive, Loganair
Andy Green, Chief Executive, Jota Aviation
Johan Lundgren, Chief Executive, easyJet
Tony Carder, Director of Civil Business, AirTanker
Shai Weiss, Chief Executive, Virgin Atlantic
Nadeem Saltan, Chief Executive, CargoLogicAir
Tony Burgess, Managing Director, Eastern Airways