Travel advice change risks aviation jobs without extra support

The government must provide more financial support to the aviation sector to alleviate the uncertainty causing by shifting travel advice, Prospect has warned.

Prospect, which represents air traffic controllers and other aviation workers, made the warning as it was widely reported that the government’s travel advice was to be updated to remove Portugal from the Green List in a blow to the aviation industry.

Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy said:

“This news today is further evidence of the instability facing the aviation industry this summer. With government advice shifting regularly it is imperative that proper financial support for the sector is put in place.

“Even in the most optimistic scenario, we now face losing half of the summer before holidaymakers can confidently book travel to major destinations, and the nearer we get to the school holidays the more likely they will be to just stay at home.

“The government starts phasing out its lifeline furlough scheme in four weeks’ time which is only adding to the damaging uncertainty facing aviation. Ministers need to make clear that further support will be available to support jobs while restrictions on tourist travel remain in place. Without this, there’s a risk that the industry will no longer be there when restrictions are lifted.”