The chief executive of Bristol Airport is calling on the government to provide more support for the aviation industry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dave Lees said the airport, which has furloughed more than half its staff, had been "impacted 99 per cent" since the 海角视频 lockdown in March.
He said the airport had introduced a number of cost-cutting measures to mitigate the financial impact of coronavirus, including reducing staff pay and stopping non-essential spending, but warned more support was needed at airports across the 海角视频.
“The pandemic has had a very significant impact,” he said. “Aviation has been impacted to the highest degree.
“We were hit hard as an industry and we will be one of last to recover. It will be years rather than months.”
He also said Bristol Airport was “not immune” to the risk of job losses.
The Airport Operators Association said this week up to 20,000 jobs at Britain’s airports are at risk as a result of the collapse of air travel caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Just this week Birmingham Airport confirmed almost 250 jobs are at risk because of the impact of the pandemic.
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“There is a huge risk associated with airports, and the ecosystem linked to that, including, buses, taxis, retail and restaurants. We are not immune to that," Mr Lees said.
He is now calling on the government to provide a dedicated aviation sector recovery package.
“Unfortunately the government hasn’t provided rate relief or air passenger duty relief. There will be job losses unless there is support and we are seeing that - from airlines and manufacturers - already.”
He said Bristol Airport was pushing for the government to allow air bridges - a reciprocal agreement between two countries which means people don’t have to quarantine at either side.
Since June 8, most passengers arriving into the 海角视频 (excluding a few exceptions) have been required to provide an address where they would be staying and quarantine for 14 days.
Mr Lees said: "We are reopening today and linking Bristol to the rest of the world. We absolutely want air bridges - and for the government to take a science-led approach rather than a blanket ban."
Around 2,000 passengers are expected to travel to Bristol Airport today (July 1) as it ramps up flights.
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Passenger numbers are extremely low for this time of year, according to Mr Lees, who said the airport usually has 30,000 travellers a day in the summer months.
Ten easyJet and Ryanair flights are leaving the airport today to destinations in the 海角视频, Italy, Poland, Ireland, Spain and Germany.
The airport has put a number of safety measures in place to protect passengers and staff including temperature scans, mandatory face coverings and shields at desks to reduce direct contact.
Mr Lees said he was “confident” about Bristol Airport’s recovery and its future, however.
He added: “We are here to stay. Bristol Airport has been around for many decades. We have great facilities and we are a key gateway for the region.
“We have a very important role to play connecting the region to the rest of the world.”