LONDON (Reuters) – The British government said on Saturday it would provide financial support to airports by the end of March, after the industry called for emergency assistance while strict COVID-19 rules for international passengers starting Monday.
Flight Minister Robert Courts said the government would launch a new aid program this month.
“The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme will help reduce their costs and we will aim to make grants before the end of this financial year,” he added on social media, adding that more details would follow shortly.
From 0400 GMT on Monday, passengers to Britain must have recently tested negative for COVID-19 and be willing to quarantine at home for 10 days on arrival.
Britain’s locks currently block most international travel, meaning airlines’ schedules are currently very small. But the removal of quarantine-free travel 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.
London ‘s second largest airport, Gatwick, said the support would help retain jobs at a time when it has suffered a sharp drop in passenger numbers.
Karen Dee, chief executive of the British Airport Operators Association, said ahead of the news that the government needed to go beyond existing support which includes a temporary exemption from local property taxes.
Relief from regulatory, police and air traffic control costs would help, she said.
Courts have not ruled out any support for airlines, which have benefited from tough general government programs but received little direct support.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry group Airlines UK, has announced plans to set travel rules before Easter, ahead of the spring and summer holidays.
“Airlines have been living in business by taking on billions of pounds of debt that need to be repaid,” he said.
Reciting with David Milliken; Edited by Frances Kerry and Dan Grebler