A government aviation recovery plan is to be published in the autumn.
The strategy, to run until 2025, will be created “in the context of the government’s green ambitions.”
The government’s initial blanket quarantine has been replaced by the establishment of travel corridors, enabling a more “agile response” recommended by the Commons transport select committee.
But the response from the Department for Transport “does not engage” with the committee’s recommendations for health screening at airports or common international health standards.
All it says is that the government “will continue to consider whether other policy options could be used to further ease self-isolation requirements such as testing at the border”.
On passenger refunds, the government recently announced it will financially stand behind the Air Travel Trust Fund.
It will also look at the Civil Aviation Authority’s enforcement powers “to ensure it has the powers it needs to ensure businesses are compliant and consumers are protected”.
A consultation on aviation tax reform is planned in response to calls from the Commons transport committee for a temporary suspension of Air Passenger Duty.
As part of this consultation, the government says it will consider the case for changing the APD treatment of domestic flights, such as reintroducing a return leg exemption, and for increasing the number of international distance bands.
The DfT also continues to discuss business rates with airports “and is working with HM Treasury to consider the points they have raised”.
The government contends that it is currently legally prevented from intervening in the airport slot allocation process.
However, the DfT response indicates that ministers are considering the need for reform which encourages competition, provides connectivity and benefits UK customers.
The response details some of the work the government is doing to retain jobs in the sector.
Wile voicing “profound regret” about decisions taken by British Airways on 12,000 staff cuts, the DfT says these are commercial decisions and it is ultimately down to private business to decide on adjustments.
BA chairman and chief executive Alex Cruz will appear at the transport committee on September 16 to give an update on the current challenges facing the aviation sector and the carrier’s staffing plans.
Transport select committee chair Huw Merriman said: “The publication of an aviation recovery plan is welcome but it cannot come quick enough for a sector devastated by the impact of coronavirus.
“Our report expressed a desire to see more pace and detail on government action to address the crisis.
“We await the government’s aviation recovery plan and will look carefully at how government intends to deal with some of the specific points in our report.”
But he added: “The government’s quarantine regime, coupled by a refusal to endorse airport testing to reduce the quarantine period, adds further barriers to travel.
“Whilst the government’s approach can be argued for on health grounds, it also further justifies the committee’s original call for the government to provide a sector deal to support our ailing aviation industry and its workforce.
“With regard to passenger refunds, the regulator has reviewed the behaviour of some airlines, but it needs more teeth to protect consumers.
“I am sympathetic to the plight of the airline industry, but the pressures of this pandemic does not excuse how some customers have been treated.
“British Airways’ ‘fire and rehire’ policy has rightly attracted criticism from government ministers and the prime minister himself.
“It is disappointing that direct legislative action has not been enacted to make this type of action unlawful.
“The government says the recovery plan will ‘consider the role of the slot system in rebuilding a competitive aviation sector’ – I look forward to hearing how ministers plan to set out their preferred means of reform.”
The transport committee will host a Commons debate on September 10.
Unite union assistant general secretary Diana Holland said: “The fact that the government is finally developing a plan to support the aviation sector is welcome.
“While this is an important step, it cannot be forgotten that it is six months since support for the aviation sector was first promised by government.
“Thousands of jobs in the aviation sector have already been lost and many more redundancies are already in the pipeline.
“The publication of a report ‘in the autumn’ is too late. Not only must this report be published immediately, it must include immediate assistance to the industry.
“Direct intervention by the government to protect jobs is the only way that aviation companies are going to reconsider shedding jobs and prevent the loss of a professional, skilled, experienced and dedicated workforce.”