I am tabling this statement for the benefit of
hon. members to bring to their attention spend under the Industrial Development Act 1982 (“the act”).
On 24 November (2020) the government announced the introduction of the Airport and Ground Operators Support Scheme (“the scheme”) with the intention of supporting airports and ground handlers who have experienced the impact of COVID-19 on their business whilst maintaining high levels of fixed costs during the 2020/21 financial year. The aim was to open the scheme in January (2021) and ensure grant payments were made to eligible businesses by the end of the financial year. Grant payments would be made using powers in sections 7 and 8 of the act.
I am tabling this statement for the benefit of hon. members to bring to their attention spend under the Industrial Development Act 1982 ("the act"). On.
A sector-wide plea comes after the Airport Operators Association (AOA) published its Airport Recovery Plan. The plan reports that passenger numbers would not return to 2019 levels any earlier than 2025 and this benchmark was looking “ever-more unlikely” due to the short-term future with restrictions in place. It urges the Government to set out a pathway on how travel ban and quarantine measures can be eased and ultimately removed through Covid testing and vaccination. The AOA, which is the trade association that represents more than 50 UK airports, said the outlook for aviation in 2021 is “deteriorating”. Bournemouth Airport said it was a “critical time” for the industry, with a request for furlough to be extended to prevent further job loses.
Gatwick Airport can now apply for a Government grant worth up to £8m.
Wednesday, 3rd February 2021, 5:13 pm
Henry Smith MP welcomed the announcement from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, which will help to protect jobs and the local economy in Crawley.
The Airport and Ground Operators Support Scheme, which opened on Friday January 29, will help Gatwick (and other commercial airports across England) to cover losses on costs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, including airfield operations, contracted services such as airfield and runway maintenance, and business rate bills.
Airports and ground handlers can apply to the scheme on GOV.UK, and if successful, should receive their funding by the end of the financial year.