Calls to back aviation industry as vaccine passport review is announced

The Government is being urged to step up its support for the aviation industry after Boris Johnson promised a review into vaccine passports.

Vaccine passports have been discussed by several countries including Greece, as well as travel operators such as Saga Cruises, as a safe way of reopening international travel.

But UK ministers initially appeared to dismiss the idea of introducing a similar scheme domestically for hospitality and leisure activities.

It is understood the review - led by cabinet office minister Michael Gove - will not just consider vaccination history alone, with the possibility of negative Covid tests being recorded to gain access to some events or services.

It is hoped the review's findings will be available before the final stage of England 's lockdown easing on 21 June - the earliest date by which ministers hope most Covid measures can end.

Holidays in the UK or abroad are not currently permitted under coronavirus restrictions.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Government 's review into the issue of vaccine passports couldn 't be more timely as the vaccine rollout continues at pace and the PM 's roadmap to recovery offers hope that a semblance of normality can return to these shores by the summer.

“Clearly, there are going a number of individuals that are unable to take the vaccine for a variety of reasons and this review will need to take into consideration how those individuals are still able to enjoy the wider benefits that an easing of lockdown measures will bring in the long term.

“Nevertheless, there seems to be an international consensus building around how overseas travel can be facilitated in the future and the UK needs to be at the heart of those talks if we are open up international markets and restore confidence in our ailing tourism and aviation industry.

“Despite this week 's announcements, anchor institutions such as Birmingham Airport are still having to deal with the real world consequences of the Government 's quarantine measures which has had a grave impact on job numbers and economic output across the region.

“As we highlighted in our Back our Businesses Plan, the upcoming Budget offers the perfect opportunity to set down a marker of support for those in the aviation industry and associated sectors that desperately need financial assistance in order to get through this crisis. ”

Birmingham Airport is making three requests to government ahead of next week 's Budget.

These include an extension to the furlough scheme, a repeat of the Airport Ground Operators Support Scheme and the need to reach agreements with other countries based on vaccine passports.

As spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: “The Prime Minister 's recognition of aviation 's important economic role and the reinstatement of the Global Travel Taskforce to examine the scenarios for reopening, is welcome.

“We now need a clear, time bound roadmap to a sustainable and meaningful recovery for our sector, and require a number of deliverables to be prioritised from the Government.

“As the UK Government has stated that international travel restrictions will not ease before the 17 May, we are calling for urgent clarity and an announcement in the forthcoming Budget confirming a meaningful extension to the Job Retention Scheme, which is required for our successful restart.

“The recently announced Airport Ground Operators Support Scheme is a welcome relief from the business rate tax bill Birmingham Airport has already paid in this financial year to 31 March 2021, but with restrictions remaining until mid-May at the earliest, it 's clear that financial year 21/22 will have the same issues for businesses such as airports, and therefore the imperative now exists that the AGOSS should be repeated from April.

“Finally, agreements with suitable overseas markets for bilateral access are urgently needed, based on the principle of vaccine passports. Together with pre-departure testing, this would negate the need for the current policy of multiple tests, costing hundreds of pounds per traveller, and help reinstate travel confidence. ”

Read the Chamber's Back Our Businesses report here.