UK airlines respond to introduction of “islands” policy on travel quarantine

Responding to the announcement made today by the Transport Secretary on an “islands” policy with respect to travel quarantine, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“This is a step in the right direction, which in time could help open up more markets for international travel and further choice and clarity for passengers. That said, a comprehensive testing regime is urgently required to enable connectivity to and from countries like the US, one of our most vital trading and strategic partners. The Transport Secretary has intimated that good progress is being made but it’s critical this is signed off by Government and implemented by the end of this month, and as carriers we will work with him on delivering the right solutions. As airlines enter what will be an incredibly tough winter period, further economic support for the industry, such as an APD waiver, must be considered in addition to these improved travel guidelines.”

Airlines UK reaction to France quarantine restrictions

Responding to the announcement that countries including France, Malta and the Netherlands have been added to the travel quarantine, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“It’s another devastating blow to the travel industry already reeling from the worst crisis in its history. Having the political will to move to a sub-national approach to quarantine, in addition to a testing regime for arriving passengers so that those testing negative can avoid having to self isolate – which other countries like Germany have already implemented – is urgently needed to provide carriers and customers with additional certainty around the ability to operate this autumn and winter, avoiding broad-brush, weekly ‘stop and go’ changes to travel corridors at a national level, which have proven so disruptive to airlines and passengers alike.”

Emergency Air Passenger Duty waiver would save 45% of lost air routes and save 8,000 jobs, study concludes

An emergency 12-month Air Passenger Duty (APD) waiver would save 45% of the air routes out of the UK that would otherwise be lost due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, a new report has found. In addition, the support could potentially save 8,000 jobs and contribute an additional £7 billion in GVA.

The study carried out by York Aviation and commissioned by Airlines UK, the industry association for UK-registered airlines, shows:

  • Without intervention by the Government UK airports will lose around 600 routes initially, with the situation improving as the market recovers to being about 130 routes down by July 2021;
  • In 12 months’ time, around 80% of the lost routes will be in the UK regions;
  • With an emergency 12-month Air Passenger Duty waiver in place, the situation improves with the number of routes that would immediately return at around 35. This grows steadily as the market recovers, with an APD waiver supporting an additional 56 routes by July next year. In other words, by July 2021 it would have saved around 45% of routes that would otherwise be lost;
  • The APD waiver would boost passenger demand by around 12% over the next 12 months. This equates to around 21 million passengers over the 12 months against a baseline of 170 million passengers.
  • An APD waiver could potentially save 8,000 jobs over the next 12 months and enable the sector to support an additional £7 billion in GVA. This GVA saving is around 3.3 times greater than the expected revenue from APD over the next 12 months.

UK airlines are now asking for an emergency 12-month APD waiver to be announced no later than the autumn Budget to boost demand and enable the UK aviation industry to recover from the worst crisis in its history.

Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: “UK airports are in danger of losing many valuable routes over the coming months unless the Government steps in with a support package for our sector – starting with an emergency APD waiver to get us through the winter and into the recovery. Some of these routes may never come back but APD relief will – by next July – save almost half that would otherwise be lost. The UK came into this crisis as the third best connected country in the world – it would be a tragedy if through Government inaction and neglect we needlessly forfeited this position to our closest rivals.”

Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs and former No 10 Business Adviser to the Prime Minister, said: “It’s never been more vital that Britain remains open for business. It would be disastrous for our regional and international airports to lose hundreds of routes to important global trading and tourism destinations. Whilst not the whole answer, if suspending the headwind of Air Passenger Tax can help get UK aviation – one of the jewels in our industrial crown – back on its feet sooner we would be remiss not to seriously consider it.”

Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West and Chairman of the 1922 Committee, said: “We are in grave danger of causing real and lasting damage to UK aviation if measures are not taken to protect routes out of our airports and support the sector through what we know will be an extremely challenging winter. Almost alone within Europe we have been slow to appreciate the importance of aviation – not only as an industry that supports a million jobs – but as an enabler of the outward facing trading nation we wish to be.”

Notes:

  • The situation facing UK aviation remains highly precarious. Passenger demand is around 70% down in August 2020 compared to August 2019.
  • Over thirty thousand jobs have either been lost, are at risk or subject to consultation amongst UK airlines.
  • Airports, aerospace and ground handling businesses have also announced thousands of job cuts.
  • A report by the New Economic Foundation suggests that without additional government intervention the aviation industry and its supply chains could ultimately lose up to 124,000 jobs.
  • In 2021 global passenger demand is expected to be 32% lower than IATA’s October 2019 Air Passenger forecast for 2021.
  • Bookings for intra-EU routes are slowly increasing but are a long way from pre-crisis levels. Recovery is not yet in sight on extra-EU routes.
  • Data shows that the intra-EU market is slowly picking up following opening of borders on the 15 June, but as of 1 July remained 72% lower year on year compared to 2019.

Download the full report here:

UK airlines response to travel corridor countries announcement

Responding to the announcement by the Government on the countries with which the UK will open a travel corridor, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“It’s a very welcome announcement and we’re pleased UK airlines will be able to re-start services to many key markets in time for peak summer travel. This gives a clear path to opening further predominantly long-haul destinations in the weeks ahead, and we look forward to working with Ministers on measures to mitigate the risk from red countries such as via voluntary testing.

“There’s no doubt quarantine has had a devastating impact on our industry and whilst it’s welcome the Government has removed its blanket ban we would encourage rigour and science is applied in all future decisions surrounding our businesses. Aviation is vital to our economy – and the huge increase in bookings over the past few days proves our customers are keen to get travelling again.”

 

AirTanker joins Airlines UK

AirTanker, the British airline renowned for its work with the RAF Voyager aircraft & specialising in aerial refuelling, is the latest carrier to join Airlines UK, the industry association for UK-registered carriers.

Since signing a 27-year contract with the MoD in 2008, AirTanker’s primary role has been to ensure the safe and effective operation of the RAF’s fleet of A330 MRTT Voyager aircraft, with responsibilities ranging from aircraft delivery and fleet management to crew training and a full maintenance capability.

As well as supporting the Voyager military operation, AirTanker is a civil airline and operates the South Atlantic Air Bridge, which provides a vital scheduled connection between the UK and the Falkland Islands. AirTanker has also continued to expand its commercial leasing business, operating a number of Airbus A330-200 aircraft on ad-hoc, damp and wet lease contracts on behalf of other carriers in the UK and Europe.

Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome such an interesting and truly diverse airline into the Airlines UK membership. Air Tanker’s experience with military operations will bring an important perspective to our offering, as well as their vital work on connectivity including with the South Atlantic Air Bridge. We’re looking forward to working with them at this critical time for the sector”.

Tony Carder, AirTanker’s Director of Civil Business said: “We are very pleased to be the latest UK airline to join the impressive and growing list of Airlines UK members.  It is important for us to be a member of such a highly regarded and well respected industry body and we look forward to working with the organisation at this very challenging time for the UK airline industry”.

 

Airlines welcome creation of Jet Zero Council to achieve net zero aviation by 2050

Responding to the announcement by the Transport Secretary of the creation of a Jet Zero Council to work on achieving net zero emissions for aviation by 2050, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“It’s an excellent initiative and the Transport Secretary should be applauded for demonstrating such a willingness to work with the aviation industry to achieve our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. There are huge opportunities for the UK to be a world-leader in sustainable aviation fuels production and electric aviation, creating thousands of high-skilled jobs and major export opportunities in the process. It’s a win-win for all of our regions who will stand to gain from this and for the UK’s decarbonisation efforts, and we’re looking forward to taking part.”   

 

UK airlines respond to publication of health guidance for aviation

Responding to the publication of Government health guidance on air travel, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“Having worked in partnership with Government on their development, UK airlines welcome the introduction of these guidelines. They demonstrate how airlines can apply targeted and multi-layered measures to ensure air travel is safe for customers and crew.

“The guidelines pave the way for the introduction of air bridges, and there is no reason we shouldn’t be getting clarity from Government on when and how these will be established over the coming days.”

Loganair & FedEx join Airlines UK

Loganair, the Scottish regional airline and FedEx Express, the airline division of the global delivery services company, have become the latest carriers to join Airlines UK, the industry association for UK-registered carriers.

Loganair is the UK’s largest regional airline, having grown their operations from one aircraft in 1962 to now flying to over 40 destinations across Europe, Scandinavia and the British Isles. Based at Glasgow Airport, with hubs in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverness and Newcastle, Loganair plays a vital role in connecting the regions, especially in Scotland. Routes include Derry to London, Inverness to Manchester and even Glasgow to Barra in the Outer Hebrides – flying into the world’s only scheduled beach runway. Loganair will join as a member from 1 July.

FedEx Express are to join Airlines UK immediately as an international member, representing a key addition as the world’s largest all cargo airline. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee but with a UK hub, FedEx Express first opened its International Gateway at Stansted over 30 years ago in 1985 with just four employees. Since that time, the airline has significantly grown its UK operations and consistently gone on to win awards as one of the UK’s top employers.

Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome two such well-established and diverse airlines into the Airlines UK membership. This is an unprecedented time for the sector as we battle the impacts of Covid-19 and seek to work collaboratively with others to protect the future of our industry, and having as strong an airline offering as possible will better enable us to do that. We’re looking forward to working with them at this critical time.”

Jonathan Hinkles, CEO of Loganair, said: “It’s a privilege to join Airlines UK. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve seen first-hand the excellent work that Airlines UK does to stand up for our industry, ensuring that our collective voice is heard at every level of Government and beyond.”

Trevor Hoyle, SVP of Europe Ground Operations for FedEx Express, said: “FedEx is pleased to further strengthen its place in UK aviation by joining the ranks with members of Airlines UK. As the global aviation sector faces unparalleled challenges in the wake of COVID-19, it is critical that we continue our long history of collaboration with industry peers around the world to flex operations to help sustain the global economy. And, with the country facing a new horizon in 2021, we are committed to playing a constructive role in the debate over how best to ensure an evolving global Britain has the connectivity needed for national success and increased prosperity.”

 

Airlines UK statement on quarantine announcement

Responding to today’s quarantine announcement, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“We need to see much more clarity on air bridges over the coming days. The key thing is that they are established as soon as possible alongside the FCO travel advice being changed, and ideally before the review on 29 June. Airlines can’t start up operations overnight and any announcement isn’t going to trigger bookings and flights for several weeks. If Government leave it too late we run the risk of the summer season being over and losing out to other countries who are starting to open up their borders now.”

 

UK airlines welcome Job Retention Scheme extension but more action required to protect world-leading aviation sector

Responding to the announcement by the Chancellor that the Job Retention Scheme will be extended until the end of October, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“This is a welcome announcement and we are pleased that from August staff will be allowed to come back to work part-time. With aviation’s recovery due to be prolonged and uncertain owing to ongoing travel restrictions, including the 14-day quarantine period proposed by the Government, more action is needed to protect our world leading aviation sector. Our focus remains on working with Government on the measures required to allow for an effective re-start and recovery of our industry.”