£ 11bn hit of closing air links with USA
BRITAIN is facing a catastrophic £ 11billion loss this year from the closure of air links with the US, the aviation industry warned.
It called on ministers to reopen air corridors between cities in both the countries to save thousands of jobs – and use swab- testing.
A report said the UK is losing £ 32million every day as a result.
But the total cost of the loss in trade across both countries this year will be nearly £ 46billion.
British Airways says that this time last year it flew 12 flights a day to New York and is now running just two.
The industry is also struggling because of restrictions. Seat capacity is currently 85 per cent down.
Testing
Heathrow boss John Holland- Kaye called for flights between cities deemed as safe, backed by airport swab testing.
The same tests are used at 30 airports around the world, including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Tokyo Haneda and Dubai International.
Mr Holland- Kaye said: “This is a stark warning that action is needed immediately to safely open up connections with our key trading partners in the US.
“We can start with flights to New York, a city where infection rates are now lower than here, and which is the UK’s most valuable route. Testing in private labs, both pre- flight and on arrival, would ensure there is no risk of importing Covid.”
BA chief executive Alex Cruz said: “Government inaction on aviation and its impact on Britain’s economy couldn’t be clearer. Time is running out.” Airlines UK said the loss in trade was “catastrophic”.