The government has been condemned for failing to provide sector support for the aviation sector as England enters a second period of lockdown.
The British Airline Pilots Association accused ministers of being “determined to destroy” the industry.
The pilots’ union argued that airlines, airports, handling companies and others who provide services to the sector are struggling to survive and are “desperate” for state support.
The attack came as the issue was raised by Commons transport select committee chairman Huw Merriman during prime minister’s questions at Westminster.
Merriman, one of 24 Tory MPs who voted against the national lockdown legislation, said: “I understand that the prime minister will soon receive from the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Transport a recommendation that we enable quarantine periods to be cut for air passengers who have tested Covid-negative.
“When is a decision likely to be made, and will he look favourably on this proposal, which will allow the aviation industry in this country to get back to its rightful place?”
Boris Johnson replied that it was right for Merriman to lobby for the aviation industry.
He added: “This country has the third biggest aviation industry in the world. It is currently having a terrible, terrible time, and my sympathies are very much with all the employees involved.
“One of the benefits of getting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing up to 500,000 a day is that we have new possibilities for testing of all kinds across the country.
“We will be bringing forward further measures and proposals as soon they are finalised.”
Former prime minister Theresa May led criticism of the lockdown as Johnson left the chamber, saying: “What sort of airline industry will we have as we come out of this? What sort of hospitality sector will there be? How many small independent shops will be left?
“The government must have made that assessment, so let us see it and make our own judgments.”
The concerns came as Balpa issued six demands of the government:
- A commitment to end the ban on leisure travel by December 2
- Sector-specific financial compensation ring-fenced away from shareholders
- A 12-month waiver of Air Passenger Duty
- A moratorium on any further job losses to prevent long-lasting damage to the sector.
- Roll out of airport Covid-19 testing ready to go at the end of lockdown as an alternative to the ever-changing quarantine and lockdown restrictions which would give passengers confidence to book and travel.
- The urgent publication of the government’s promised Relaunch and Recovery Plan
General secretary Brian Strutton said: “If the government were determined to destroy the airline industry they couldn’t be doing a better job right now. We’ve had promise after promise of sector support and have seen none.
“In the meantime, hundreds of pilots and thousands of other workers have lost their jobs, and thousands more have taken pay cuts or are working part time.
“This is crunch time. We need action now. The government simply must respond if it wants a functioning airline industry to exist after the winter to power our economic recovery post-Covid.”