About 20,000 people could lose their jobs at Britain’s airports. An industry group has warned and calling on government to do more to support the aviation industry that was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic and is now struggling to restart due to quarantine rules.
The Airport Operators Association (AOA), which represents more than 50 airports, said future passenger numbers at UK airports were expected to be significantly lower, and analysis of its members suggested up to 20,000 jobs were at risk.
The body advised government to scrap its quarantine protocol and provide relief from business rates, extend a job retention scheme, directly fund the sector regulator and suspend air passenger taxes to help save jobs.
“These jobs figures clearly show that a key component of the UK’s infrastructure is on its knees, with no relief to the current crisis expected.” AOA chief executive Karen Dee said.
“Government needs to recognise the immense crisis facing the country’s airport communities and take action to support UK aviation and protect livelihoods.”
UK-based airlines British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet have already announced more than 20,000 job losses between them. The country’s biggest airport Heathrow has also started a voluntary redundancy scheme.
Britain has a 14-day quarantine policy for arrivals into the country from abroad, which the sector said it will further deter international travel at a time the industry is hoping for recovery.
The quarantine is due to be reviewed on June 29, three weeks after it was introduced and could be replaced by air bridges, which would allow restriction-free travel between countries with low infection rates.
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