Airlines have called for more detail from the government in terms of its plans for a testing regime.
The departments for health and transport jointly announced a Global Travel Taskforce today, with the remit of coming up with a means to implement testing and boost international travel.
In reaction to the news, Dale Keller, chief executive of the Board of Airline Representatives, which represents 70 scheduled airlines in the UK, said “This far into the crisis airlines expected more detail than an announcement of a new taskforce.
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“The industry has been continuously engaged with the government, including in the Expert Steering Group formed back in May.
“A huge amount of international experience and proposals have been input so far, including the benefits of pre-departure testing, and we believe that a scheme could be implemented very quickly in a matter of weeks.
“We are concerned that the secretary of state for Transport is still quoting only 7% effectiveness of testing on arrival at airports, a figure that is wholly dismissed as flawed assumptions by the industry from overseas trials.
“If the government wants more data it should urgently take up the industry’s proposals for a trial-based data-led approach to inform the taskforce and achieve the best outcomes.”
Keller added: “Aviation is an essential enabler of the UK’s connectivity and critical to the government’s aspiration of a global Britain – travel is not just a discretionary activity for business as has been intimated by government in recent days, it is essential to economic recovery.
“Every day that overseas markets remain closed is costing the UK heavily in lost jobs, collapsing trade and negative social impacts, and we urge the UK government to bring forward a passenger testing regime with utmost urgency as a national priority.”
Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, described the announcement as “positive and encouraging”, but said the government must step up its support to protect the UK’s international connectivity.
She said: “Today’s announcement of a commitment to implement a testing system for international travel is a welcome first step. Airports will work with the government to get this up and running as soon as possible to allow our industry to begin its long recovery from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.
“A key focus for the taskforce also has to be the introduction of new rapid tests as soon as possible, both to make testing quicker and cheaper, as well as reducing the time passengers would need to isolate.
“Ultimately the objective we must move towards is ending quarantine altogether through globally aligned testing system which will promote clarity and confidence in air travel while protecting public health.”
She added: “We have been talking about testing since June and many other countries around the world are already successfully using it. We must start the operation of the scheme as quickly as practicalities allow so the UK is not left behind. We believe that from a health perspective a testing regime can be far preferable to just relying on quarantine.”
Dee said: “Today’s announcement must be the start of a renewed focus on our sector – it is essential that the government bring forward the promised Aviation Recovery Package of support including business rates relief for airports in England and Wales, continuation of VAT-free sales airside, funding for the CAA and a temporary suspension of APD.
“These much-needed measures will help support our airports as they look to tackle the challenging winter months ahead.”
An Abta spokesperson said the creation of the taskforce “shows a recognition from government of the need to get people travelling again” stressting the travel industry “has been hit hard by the Covid-19 crisis”.
But they said it needs to “focus on decisive and urgent action” and “not only on rapidly introducing a testing regime”. Abta said this should include moving to a regionalised quarantine approach and lifting the global advisory against travel – returning to providing travel advice for individual countries based on the risk to a traveller in destination.
“Other countries have already moved to introduce testing, and further delays will only serve to exacerbate the industry’s struggles – especially as the winter season is fast approaching,” the spokesperson said. “With furlough ending this month, and the new Job Support Scheme doing little to support travel businesses, without tailored support we’ll see more job losses and businesses folding.”
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “Today’s announcement represents much needed progress, but every day counts when Britain’s economy and half a million jobs that rely on aviation are at stake.
“We support the government’s decision to opt for a single-test, private sector-led, passenger-funded approach that does not compete for, nor divert, vital NHS testing resources, to reduce travel restrictions while protecting public health.
“But a firm commitment that a comprehensive testing regime will be implemented in November is required to boost consumer confidence, enable global travel and protect jobs.
“A test on five days, which the government’s own evidence suggests would be ‘highly effective’, must be the starting point. Trials between Heathrow and New York should take place in parallel to generate real world data for a pre-departure and on arrival testing approach, as well as regional mainland travel corridors, so that policy can quickly evolve. Removing quarantine is the only way to truly open up the skies and enable the UK’s economic recovery to take-off.”
Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association (BTA), said: “Today’s announcement of a taskforce charged with looking at a testing model for international travel is long overdue. The BTA has been calling for months for airport testing to be introduced.
“Testing trials in other markets have demonstrated high levels of accuracy and effectiveness. The British travel industry will only survive if the task force acts swiftly. It must take concrete action to introduce testing in weeks, not months.
“As the representative body for business travel, we urge the Global Travel Taskforce to consult with us, and for testing to then be safely introduced without further delay.”
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA union, said: “We really hope the setting up of this so-called Global Travel Taskforce is not a route by which ministers are able to kick badly needed decisions about our travel trade into the long grass.
“Far too many travel businesses have already gone to the wall and many of our members have lost their jobs. This may be a step in the right direction, but our travel industry requires proper long-term support if it is to get through this crisis.”
More: Government commits to testing ‘to open up international travel’
