Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary, calling for clarity
about how decisions are made about the traffic light system for
international travel, said:
“Government signalling that some travel can be opened up safely
this summer is clearly welcome for an industry that is currently
on its knees. We have been warning for months that with the clock
ticking on furlough, action needs to be taken to protect the jobs
and skills of our members.
“However, it is apparent that even the limited relaxation of
restrictions later in the summer that is now on the cards will
not be sufficient for anything close to a full bounce back. This
means that the government must bring forward a comprehensive
sector support package, extending furlough and providing relief
for fixed costs in areas like airports and air traffic control.
“We are also calling for the government to bring forward the
detail and timing on the changes it intends to make, particularly
on the waiving quarantine for vaccinated passengers. It will take
time to put plans and people in place, including things like
refresher training, and the industry needs clarity to do this.
“People deserve to know the full basis on which the government
are making decisions about the traffic light system. For example
while the green watch list may enable some travel, travellers
will be worried about the risk of a country being downgraded and
there is no way to judge how this decision will be made, with
what notice.”
