In this file photo taken June 8, 2020, Virgin Atlantic Airline planes on the apron at Manchester Airport in north-west England. — AFP pic
A new lockdown in England started yesterday, banning international leisure travel and wiping out the remaining meagre income airports had from the small number of passengers still flying despite quarantine rules. “Britain’s global connectivity is on the line if government is not willing to support the industry,” AOA said in a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.Britain’s transition period with the European Union ends this year and the government has said it wants to boost trade with new markets across the world, but AOA said this would be “unachievable” if airports were not supported.
The group wants business rates relief for English airports, a temporary suspension of air passenger duty, and help with other costs such as funding the UK aviation regulator and policing.