Aviation industry 'needs recovery plan' as stricter travel measures imposed
A detailed recovery plan is needed to help the aviation industry out of the Covid-19 crisis after stricter quarantine measures were announced, business leaders said today.
Travellers arriving into the UK from 33 'red list ' countries will, from Monday, have to spend 10 days in quarantine hotels.
Those who fail to quarantine in Government-sanctioned hotels face fines of up to £10,000.
Passengers will have to pay £1,750 to stay in a quarantine hotel and will need to reserve their rooms online in advance using a booking system that opens tomorrow.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has also confirmed a new enhanced testing regime for all travellers will go live next Monday.
Two tests are required during the quarantine process - on day two and day eight of the 10-day period.
Travellers could face a £1,000 fine if they fail to take mandatory tests and a £2,000 fine for failing to take the second mandatory test - along with a 14-day extension to their quarantine period.
Fines of between £5,000 and £10,000 may also be handed out to those who do not quarantine in a designated hotel.
And punishments ranging from £10,000 fines and a 10-year prison sentence could be imposed on passengers who lie about visiting 'red list ' countries on their locator form.
Birmingham Airport says it is braced for the arrival of a small number of passengers from 'red list ' countries but is awaiting further details from Government about operational requirements.
Justine Howl, head of communications at Birmingham Airport, said: “We are in dialogue with the DHSC and await specific details on the operational requirements so that we can support the launch and the small number of passengers arriving via hubs from red list countries.
“Whilst we have always supported decisions to protect public health, including air travel corridors and testing, we now need an aviation recovery plan that sets out how these measures will be lifted and how the Government foresees the industry 's way out of this crisis, once safe to do so. ”
Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “From a public health perspective - we can see the value in implementing the latest measures; increased testing and tighter border controls will play an important part in hopefully limiting the spread of the new Covid-19 variants.
“Nevertheless, there are a number of logistical challenges which need to be overcome if the policy is to be successful, in particular, managing the flow of travellers that have arrived from banned locations via third countries and ensuring that the divergence of UK and Irish quarantining policy doesn 't add to the maelstrom.
“Locally a number of hotels are on standby to support visitors arriving at Birmingham Airport, however, the hoteliers will need clear and specific guidance from the Government on how to implement the correct infection control measures and with time in such short supply, training existing staff to help those visitors that are potentially vulnerable or need additional support throughout their ten day stay.
“However, it 's also clear that the latest measures will add to the economic woes that many of those operating in the aviation industry and associated sectors are currently suffering - as we set out in our recent Back our Businesses plan, we can only hope the Chancellor does the right thing and offers direct financial support to those in the industry that need it the most. ”
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