Coronavirus: 'Future of UK aviation' at risk, say airlines

The UK's aviation industry may not survive the coronavirus pandemic without emergency financial support, airlines have warned. Bosses at Virgin Atlantic will write to the prime minister on Monday to ask for emergency financial measures for airlines in the UK.

US travel restrictions will hit all transatlantic routes from Tuesday, further denting the aviation sector. The government said it was open to supporting firms, including airlines. In a stark message, industry body Airlines UK said the government's "prevarication" and "bean counting" had to stop.

"We're talking about the future of UK aviation - one of our world-class industries - and unless the government pulls itself together who knows what will be left of it once we get out of this mess," it added.

Airline bosses have been talking to ministers. Last week, senior figures in the industry were said to be "livid" that there were no emergency measures for the aviation sector in the budget, whereas most other sectors of the economy received billions of pounds of support.

Earlier on Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence announced that the US will extend its European travel ban to include the UK and the Republic of Ireland, in a bid to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

The trade body Airlines UK has warned that the coronavirus pandemic may do irreparable damage to the country’s aviation industry if it does not get emergency support from the government.

The government responded by stressing in a statement that they are in the know about UK airlines- related problems, adding that they are “engaging with the sector's leadership to support workers, businesses, and passengers”.

The statement comes after British Airways warned its employees on Friday that the UK’s aviation industry is facing a "crisis of global proportions" due to the COVID19 outbreak, which is even worse than one caused by the SARS virus or the 9/11 attacks.

The air carrier’s head Alex Cruz, for his part, cautioned that British Airways will ground flights "like never before", amid staff lay-offs.

The developments come after US Vice President Mike Pence announced earlier on Sunday Washington’s plans to extend the Europe travel ban to the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The ban is due to enter force at midnight EST on Monday (04:00 GMT Tuesday).

Earlier, the Trump administration slapped temporary travel restrictions on 26 EU member states as the World Health Organisation ( WHO) confirmed that the coronavirus outbreak had morphed into a pandemic. EU leaders reacted angrily to the travel ban, blaming Washington for taking the step “without consultation”.

According to the WHO, more than 152,400 people have already been diagnosed with coronavirus in 141 countries, with Europe remaining the epicentre of the outbreak.

The demand comes after the US announced it will extend its European travel ban to include the UK and Republic of Ireland.