The travel industry has welcomed the greater clarity provided in prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement yesterday of a roadmap out of lockdown for England, with many bodies calling for the government to engage with them over unlocking international travel through the establishment of a new global travel taskforce.
Others have called for closer liaison between the UK’s devolved nations and for tailored financial support to enable travel businesses to survive the next few months until international travel restarts.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said, “We’re grateful to the Prime Minister and Department for Transport for providing the clarity the whole sector was looking for that international travel can reopen this summer. We now look forward working with Ministers and as part of the proposed taskforce on the practical detail of how current restrictions – which are amongst the toughest anywhere in the world – can be removed.”
Dale Keller, chief executive of Board of Airline Representatives in the UK said, “The aviation sector will play a crucial role in the UK’s economic recovery and we will provide our full support and expertise to the revived travel taskforce to deliver the most considered and effective plan for our sector - vital in providing necessary advance notice and confidence to the industry and public alike.”
Airport Operators Association chief executive Karen Dee said: “The Prime Minister’s recognition of aviation’s important economic role, in particular for businesses that rely on access to international markets or visitors to the UK, was welcome.
“It is of vital importance that the UK government includes the devolved governments in this work. A divergent approach in the four UK nations will undermine airports’ abilities to attract airlines to reopen routes, undermine public confidence in the new system and thus harm the overall recovery of our sector.
“The UK government has stated that international travel restrictions will not ease before 17 May. As the worst-hit economic sector in 2020, this will ensure we will also be the worst-hit sector of 2021. The UK and devolved governments must set out sector-specific support to help ensure there are viable airports to be able to restart.”
Charlie Cornish, CEO of the MAG Group of airports, said: ““Despite this hugely important step in the right direction, we must not lose sight of the fact aviation will be one of the last sectors to reopen and our recovery from the biggest crisis we have ever faced will not happen overnight.
“Airports have suffered huge losses over the last year to stay open for emergencies, essential journeys and critical freight such as medical supplies and PPE.
“Next week’s Budget represents an immediate opportunity to acknowledge the unique plight of our sector, and its critical role in driving the recovery of the wider UK economy. Only by providing the same support that is already on offer to other industries will Government enable our airports to help deliver its ambitions for a balanced, global Britain as we emerge from this pandemic.”
ABTA’s chief executive Mark Tanzer said, “We’re pleased to see the Government has responded to our calls to engage with industry on a specific roadmap for travel, and we welcome that the global travel taskforce will reconvene to work with ABTA and the wider travel industry on a plan for reopening travel.”
Tanzer called again for tailored financial support for travel agents while international borders remain closed.
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the transport and travel union TSSA, said the announcement showed there was “light at the end of the tunnel” but left many with ongoing questions and support needs.
“What support will the government provide ahead of the report on 12 April? The travel trade has been one of the worst affected industries with a complete shutdown and still no certainty for future booking arrangements,” he said.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC president & CEO, said: “While we welcome the incredible progress the UK government has made on the vaccine rollout programme, delaying the return of international travel until at least mid-May, could mean the travel & tourism sector simply won’t survive and struggling SMEs will just disappear.
“The sector was banking its hopes on a quicker return to international travel, so there will be widespread dismay at this news. Its return is crucial if the UK economy is to recover from the ravages of the pandemic, given the sector generates £200 billion to the UK’s GDP and supports almost four million jobs.”
The government also announced yesterday it would set up a review of Covid-status certification for travel and accessing venues domestically.