LONDON (Reuters) – British airports have called for urgent government support and the airline’s industry representative said the region was heading for a “very difficult” place after Britain tightened its COVID-19 rules for international travelers Friday.
From 0400 GMT on Monday, passengers to Britain must test negative for COVID-19 and quarantine at home for 10 days on arrival, unless they take a negative test a second time five days after arrival.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry group Airlines UK, said the first three months of the year were generally a slow time for the region, but called for plans to repeal rules at a time in the spring and in the summer.
“Easter is a date we remember when we can start airline division again. If we don’t start generating revenue for the sector, we’re going to be in a very difficult place indeed, ”he told BBC radio.
“Airlines have been living in business by taking on billions of pounds of debt that need to be repaid,” he said.
Britain’s locked locks are currently blocking most international travel meaning airlines are minimal, but the withdrawal of quarantine-free travel from Monday will be another blow to the industry.
The latest outbreaks have been partly triggered by a third wave of the disease that has caused daily death tolls in Britain, as well as concerns about a new coronavirus variant found in Brazil.
Karen Dee, chief executive of the British Airport Operators Association, said the government needed to go beyond existing support which includes a temporary exemption from local property taxes.
“The UK and devolved governments (for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) now need to act as a real emergency as they support airports through this deep crisis,” she said.
Relief from regulatory, police and air traffic control costs would help, she said.
Reciting with David Milliken; Edited by Frances Kerry