The aviation industry was one of the first sectors affected by the COVID pandemic and the impact has been devastating. Demand in the sector fell to 2% of usual levels in the space of just a few months. In January 2021, European flight control agency Eurocontrol predicted that European flight numbers won’t return to 2019 levels until 2026. 1
Businesses in the sector remain vulnerable. In June, the New Economics Foundation projected that up to 124,000 jobs were at risk across aviation and the industries it supports. 2
In a sector that provides high quality employment opportunities, including tens of thousands of skilled apprentice places, we have already 1100 jobs lost at Norwegian Airlines, 3
300 pilots made compulsorily redundant at Virgin Atlantic and 250 pilots at BA, along with losses at NATS 4
; 40% cuts to staff at Gatwick Airport 5
and further losses at London City 6
and Liverpool John Lennon, 7
to pick a few examples.
The aviation sector is a critical feature of the UK’s infrastructure, for people, for communities, for services and freight, as well as the wider economy. It will play an essential part of the UK’s post-COVID recovery, both in terms of international trade and vital employment opportunities in all regions of the UK.
It was right that the government took steps to minimise unnecessary travel in order to contain the virus. The downturn in the industry is not a ‘natural’ phenomenon, but as a direct result of the virus and government policy to deal with it. It is therefore both imperative and rational that the government step in now to support the industry strongly so that we are in a position to rebuild and maximise the economic opportunity in the recovery period.
In the face of this crisis the industry urgently needs a unified voice and a clear channel to government. The Environmental Social and Governance group used to perform this role, but since it was reconstituted on a smaller scale and despite assurances from the DfT, bilateral communication has not made up for the loss.
Before the Travel task force reports on April 12, we call for a new process of engagement with both unions and industry figures and the creation of a new tri-partite body to facilitate this.
We have seen a clear call from across the industry and the union movement for a plan for how the aviation industry can safely return to normal. Unions and industry bodies have also called for some targeted, sector-specific support which recognises the seasonal and interconnected nature of the aviation sector, as well as the high fixed costs for instance by airports and air traffic control. Union colleagues have also highlighted the specialist and extensive training required and how long it would take to build this back if staffing levels are allowed to atrophy during the pandemic.
We have divided the actions between those that fall within the remit of the DfT, the DHSC and those that are the responsibility of the Treasury. However all of them will rely on cooperation across government, industry and trade unions.
A recovery plan for the aviation industry including:
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