* Committee report condemns behaviour of
* Blanket 14 day quarantine period should be abandoned at end of June in favour of a more flexible and risk-based approach to border control
* Four months into the crisis, report says Government needs to pick up pace on a recovery strategy
'Restart and recover the sector'
In a report exploring the gravity of the crisis facing the
The actions of
Chair of the Transport Committee,
"The impact of coronavirus may sadly mean that the loss of some jobs in the aviation sector is justified. The behaviour of
"We looked closely at BA's plans to consult on at least 12000 redundancies and change the terms and conditions of the bulk of its employees. Many submitted written evidence to our inquiry and we thank them. As a committee, we have sought to examine this further and drive change using the means open to us through the House, asking Urgent Questions, seeking debates, introducing legislation and putting questions directly to the Prime Minister. We will continue to bring pressure where we can, including the airport slot allocation process. This wanton destruction of a loyal work force cannot appear to go without sanction - by Government, parliamentarians or paying passengers who may choose differently in future. We view it is as a national disgrace."
The introduction of a 14 day blanket quarantine for travellers to the
Should the conditions allow in late June, the Committee calls for the quarantine policy to be abandoned when it is next reviewed and urges Government to introduce a more flexible and risk-based approach to border control, using alternatives such as targeted quarantines, 'air bridges' and temperature screening. In defending its decision, the Government should clearly set out the evidence it used to reach its decision. Protection for passengers
Thousands of passengers who booked holidays and flights are still waiting on refunds from airlines and travel operators in accordance with their legal obligations, causing them additional stress and hardship. The Government should consider whether protections for passengers can be built into the planned Airline Insolvency Bill. MPs also recommend that the
Four months into the crisis, today's report says the Government's strategy should be more developed. The Government's Aviation Restart, Recovery and Engagement Unit is a welcome first step but the Government should bring forward a strategy for the aviation sector as soon as possible. To stimulate demand and protect businesses, the Committee recommended a temporary six month suspension of Air Passenger Duty payments and 12 month business rates relief for airlines and airports across the
Chair of the Committee,
"Few industries have been affected more by the coronavirus pandemic than aviation. Thousands of planes, and thousands of passengers, have been grounded, resulting in a 97% reduction in passenger flights compared to the previous year. This vital sector of the
"It is imperative that the
"Passenger confidence in airlines and travel operators, dented by unnecessarily difficult refund processes, must be rebuilt. We recommend the Government considers whether new protections for passengers should be introduced ahead of future pandemics or other extraordinary circumstances."
The Committee's inquiry is part of a wider look at the impact of coronavirus on
.
(C) 2020 M2 COMMUNICATIONS, source