Unite: Ministers told to buttress European holiday hopes for aviation industry with certainty and support
Tuesday, 4 May 2021 14:44
Commenting on reports that popular European travel destinations
will be added to a UK government ‘green list’ for holidaymakers by
the end of June, Unite national officer for aviation Oliver
Richardson said: “The fact that borders are set to reopen, and
people will once more be able to venture abroad is positive news,
both for the travelling public and those whose jobs are dependent
on aviation taking off again. “The last year has been catastrophic
for the aviation industry and...Request free trial
Commenting on reports
that popular European travel destinations will be added to a
UK government ‘green list’ for holidaymakers by the end of June,
Unite national officer for aviation Oliver Richardson
said:
“The fact that borders are set to reopen, and people will
once more be able to venture abroad is positive news, both for the
travelling public and those whose jobs are dependent on aviation
taking off again.
“The last year has been catastrophic for the aviation
industry and certainty and clarity from the government on the path
to reopening is vital if recovery for the sector is to be
sustained.
“With continuing restrictions, even a best-case 2021 summer
season will not be enough to get the industry back into the air
without targeted government support.
“When families face paying hundreds of pounds extra for
Covid-tests to leave and re-enter the country, it is critical that
ministers make sure holidaymakers are not priced out of travel
abroad.
“Government must also provide as much advance notice as
possible of what restrictions will and will not be in
place.
“Decisions on reopening routes and schedules will simply not
be possible unless airlines and airports are given an adequate
timeframe to prepare. For our members on furlough desperate to
return to work, certainty from the government is absolutely
crucial.
“It is of the utmost importance that should restrictions on
travel remain, the government extend the job retention scheme for
the aviation sector beyond September to prevent thousands of job
losses.
“Even with an increase in travel over the summer, the four
months to September is too short a window to expect the industry to
be by any measure back on its feet.”
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