Industry group, Airlines UK have responded to the Chencellor’s 2021 Budget with some optimism but say the government should be offering more support to an industry hit hard over the past year.
Airlines UK have called for a ‘bespoke support package’.
Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK said: “We welcome the extension of the Job Retention Scheme, which has already saved tens of thousands of jobs across UK aviation. This will enable carriers to retain staff as we await the restart of the sector, and provide much needed certainty to airlines needing to make critical planning decisions over the coming months.
“Ultimately, it is the reopening of international travel that will ensure we still have an aviation sector but we are clear that without a summer season airlines will require a bespoke support package that goes beyond loans.
“There are things the Government can be doing to support the restart and the continued absence of the promised Treasury consultation into APD – a full 12 months since its announcement by the Chancellor – is a source of much frustration and bewilderment.”
