The boss of the country's largest airport has called for clear UK Government guidance to end the crackdown on travel and exit lockdown.
A comprehensive “flight plan” to safely reopen Britain’s borders was needed as part of the Prime Minister’s roadmap to recovery on February 22, according to John Holland-Kaye. Heathrow Airport chief executive.
He said: "We support the Government in measures required to protect public health. But these additional requirements are essentially a border closure.
"That will inevitably delay the country’s recovery and hurt the UK’s supply chains. We need to see the flight plan for the safe restart of international travel as part of the Prime Minister’s roadmap on February 22.
"We also need to preserve our vital aviation infrastructure to support economic recovery when it comes."
The plea comes as latest data showed fewer long-haul passenger flights reduced cargo volume by 21 per cent in January.
This was a key indicator of the damage travel restrictions are having on the UK’s exports and supply chain, Mr Holland-Kaye claimed.
Passenger volumes were also down by 89 per cent in January as the national lockdown, travel bans, blanket quarantine and compulsory testing deterred people from travelling.
The Heathrow boss said the UK Government needed to provide targeted support to ensure the aviation sector can survive, including full business rates relief and an extension to the furlough scheme.
