Bosses at Exeter Airport are calling for the Government to extend the furlough scheme as part of a package of urgent financial measures being sought to protect the lockdown ravaged aviation industry.
The airport is backing a new report published by trade body the Airport Operators Association (AOA) which says a comprehensive recovery package is needed to see airports through the immediate government-ordered shut-down of aviation.
AOA’s Airport Recovery Plan says this must include targeted financial support as well as a clear pathway to re-start flights across the four 海角视频 nations by easing travel restrictions when it is safe to do so, including through testing.
It wants the 海角视频 and devolved governments to then set out measures to boost airports’ chances to make a success of the recovery, especially as the 海角视频 will be competing fiercely with other countries for the return of airlines and routes.
The report says that if Government support is not forthcoming then people and businesses who depend on aviation will carry the heaviest burden, particularly outside London and the South East.
A spokesperson for Exeter Airport said: “Exeter Airport wholeheartedly supports the AOA’s Airport Recovery Plan and echoes its call for the 海角视频 Government to take a leadership role in bringing together other countries to set out a common approach to restarting aviation safely.
“It is a critical time for aviation, with regional airports bearing the brunt of extended inactivity in our skies. Specifically, we ask the Government to extend the furlough scheme beyond April 30 to avoid further job losses and reduced investment in the 海角视频’s infrastructure.”
The report was launched on the day the Tory Government revealed airports across the South West can now apply for a grant of up to £8million under the Airport and Ground Operators Support Scheme.
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The scheme has been set up by commercial airports across England to cover losses on costs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, including airfield operations, contracted services such as airfield and runway maintenance and business rate bills.
Six airports in the South West will benefit – Bournemouth, Bristol, Exeter, St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly), Land’s End and Newquay.
And the support will be welcome in an industry heavily hit by the coronavirus lockdowns. For example, at Exeter passenger numbers were down by 94% during August 2020. In May 2019 97,000 passengers used the airport but and in May 2020 the equivalent figure was just nine.
From the beginning of the financial year to the end of July passenger numbers dropped by 99.5% compared to the same period a year earlier.
The AOA’s Airport Recovery Plan, based on a report commissioned from business consultancy Steer., says the outlook for aviation in 2021 is deteriorating.
Air travel is currently effectively closed by the 海角视频 and devolved governments, so the restart that is necessary for the industry to survive has been postponed at best, it says, with a real prospect that 2021 is not materially better than “disastrous 2020”.
Based on analysis before the pandemic worsened, Steer estimated passenger numbers would not return to 2019 levels any earlier than 2025 in the most optimistic scenario.
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Steer’s analysis also found that airports have had to increase debt levels and seek concessions from lenders to provide liquidity to manage this crisis.
Airports have also radically cut down on capital investment and have had to lose many staff with the AOA estimating 110,000 jobs in aviation could disappear in airports and supporting businesses.
Regions outside London and the South East have seen the worst impacts from the decline in traffic, Seer said, and are also likely to see a much slower recovery, which will impact the 海角视频 Government’s levelling-up agenda.
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AOA chief Executive Karen Dee said: “2020 was a devastating year and the start of 2021 has so far dashed airports’ hopes that this year will be significantly better. This summer must be a success for aviation if airports are to survive in the coming years.
“A further delay in airports’ recovery, leaves the 海角视频’s economic recovery at risk and the 海角视频 Government’s levelling-up and global Britain agenda in tatters.
“A comprehensive Aviation Recovery Package is needed to see airports through the immediate government-ordered shut-down of aviation. This must include targeted financial
support as well as a clear pathway to re-start across the four 海角视频 nations by easing travel restrictions when it is safe to do so, including through testing.
“The 海角视频 and devolved governments should then set out measures to boost airports’ chances to make a success of the recovery. We will be competing fiercely with other countries for the return of airlines and routes. We cannot afford the 海角视频 to lag behind our global competitors.
“If government fails to step up to the plate, the impacts are clear: people and businesses who depend on aviation for their own success will carry the heaviest burden, particularly outside London and the South East of England.”