Industry lobbyists plan to move swiftly to present the sector’s demands to the government as soon as ministers are confirmed by new prime minister Liz Truss who confirmed her cabinet on Tuesday.
Abta director of public affairs Luke Petherbridge said: “We’re determined to get in early to let them know what the industry wants.”
Truss appeared poised to announce an energy-relief package for households and businesses worth up to £100 billion on Thursday.
Petherbridge argued: “It’s positive Truss plans something on energy as early as this week. She is clearly pro-business and wants to push for growth, and travel is a driver of growth particularly when the economy is struggling.
“We have new research on the value of outbound travel to the economy looking out to 2027 which we’ll use to engage with MPs.”
He added: “The cost of living is going to impact on all sectors of the economy, but our message to government will be ‘Travel started from a different place’.”
An airline source agreed: “There is no time to waste. The challenge for the sector is that, with all the other challenges for the government, they could see our sector as ticking along OK.
“The new PM is forming a government with so much to do. At cabinet level there is a risk of a preoccupation with the energy crisis and cost of living. If there are changes at the Department for Transport, we hope we don’t get junior-level people in ministerial roles.
“If it’s all change, we hope the new minister has a grasp of and belief in the sector. The top priority is to get stability in the system.”
A second aviation source said: “It matters that we have an aviation minister or secretary of state who is engaged and on top of things, listening to the sector and not just relying on civil service advice.
“If they’re not engaged, things can languish or decisions be taken that aren’t quite right.
“But whatever happens we need to go in with an attitude that ‘We’ll make this work’. Ultimately, the landscape hasn’t changed.”
The cost-of-living crisis was top of the agenda at a Future Travel Coalition meeting on Monday, with Abta chief Mark Tanzer insisting: “It’s time for action.” He called for a cap on energy rates for businesses, extended business rates support and more headroom on repayment of Covid-era loans.
Latest Barclaycard data showed card spending fell 1.9% month-on-month in August but spending on airlines was down by 2.6% and with travel agents by 5%. An accompanying report noted: “Brits’ confidence in their ability to spend on non-essential items has fallen.”
Alan Bowen, advisor to the Association of Atol Companies, warned of “a big shock when people see what they’ll be paying for gas and electricity” and a “sea change in consumer confidence” if the government fails to provide adequate support on energy bills.
He said: “People have to eat and heat before they book their next holiday.”
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