Airport can get £8m grant to help things take off after Covid

MP HAILS GRANT WHICH WILL PROTECT JOBS

AN ANNNOUNCEMENT that East Midlands Airport is to get a multimillion pound grant to help it recover after the pandemic has been welcomed.

Jane Hunt, the MP for Loughborough, right, has hailed the new funding of up to £8 million, which will help protect jobs and get the airport bouncing back after coronavirus.

It comes as the government’s support scheme for airports opened late last month.

The scheme reflects the aviation sector’s valuable contribution to the UK economy, and will help to ease pressure on airports hit by the pandemic.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that East Midlands Airport qualified for the grant as he invited applications.

The Airport and Ground OperaIt was very clear that the airport can’t rely on freight alone and the lack of holiday passengers had resulted in a large financial hit Jane Hunt tors Support Scheme will help airports across England to cover losses on costs caused by the pandemic, including airfield operations, contracted services such as airfield and runway maintenance and business rate bills.

Airports and ground handlers could apply to the scheme on the government website and, if successful, should receive their funding by the end of the financial year.

The scheme was open for applications until February 21.

This investment will help support East Midlands Airport following the introduction of international travel restrictions designed to protect public health and prevent the spread of Covid-19 as the government rolls out its vaccination programme.

Mrs Hunt said: “I am thrilled that the airport will receive up to £8 million to help it protect jobs during these challenging times.

“I visited the airport last year and was able to tour the freight facilities that are rapidly expanding, but it was very clear that the airport can’t rely on freight alone and the lack of holiday passengers had resulted in a large financial hit. East Midlands Airport is a major employer locally, and many people from Loughborough are employed by the airport or by spin-off businesses, so naturally I was pleased to hear this news.

“The airport also forms a central part of the East Midlands Freeport bid which has just been submitted, so it is vital that we continue to have this major asset on our doorstep.”