The government’s Transport Select Committee has summoned the chief executives of Abta and Heathrow airport to answer questions on how the coronavirus has impacted the aviation sector.
Mark Tanzer will be one of the first two witnesses to answer MPs’ questions about the issues affecting consumers and industry, along with travel journalist Simon Calder, on Wednesday May 6.
They will be followed by John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow, Debra Bowen-Rees, deputy chair of Regional and Business Airports Group (RABA) and Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, which represents carriers including British Airways, easyJet, Virgin Atlantic and Ryanair, and Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association.
The session will explore the financial position of airlines and airports; passenger and consumer issues such as refunds and quarantine periods; the protection of workers and passengers; the impact of coronavirus on regional connectivity, and also assess how air travel will work as restrictions are eased.
It will be available to stream via Parliament TV.
Tanzer and Calder will appear at 9:30am, followed by Holland-Kaye, Bowen-Rees and Alderslade at 10:15am.
Chief executive of British Airways parent International Airlines Group (IAG), Willie Walsh, will appear before a further evidence session on May 11.