Traffic light announcement a hammer blow and Government must bring forward financial support package

Commenting on reports that Portugal has been moved from the green list to the amber list and that there will be no addition to the green list, Henry Smith MP, Chair of the APPG for the Future of Aviation said: 

“This will come as a devastating blow to our embattled aviation, travel and tourism industries and reinforces that the current framework for international travel was a restart in name only.  After over a year of record low passenger numbers our world class aviation industry is on its knees and our overly cautious approach risks being the final straw for the many businesses who depend on international travel. 

“Given that the rest of Europe is beginning to open up it is deeply disappointing that we seem content to ignore the vaccine dividend and to leave UK lagging behind our European neighbours.   The Government must avoid a total summer shutdown and ensure that key markets reopen on June 28th or risk further job losses and pushing businesses to the brink.  

“If they remain unwilling to open up international travel even to low risk nations, they must urgently work with all aviation, travel and tourism businesses to agree a full and comprehensive package of financial support to get them through the challenging months ahead.”