As airports globally call for state aid, the UK government has announced a financial support scheme for airports ( only in England) that will open this month.

The nation's Aviation minister Robert Courts said the aim was to provide grants by the end of this financial year. It comes days after the nation's quarantine-free air corridors closed to air traffic to assist its National Health Service (NHS) to battle Covid.

 

All general arrivals to the UK now must isolate for up to 10 days, although the quarantine period can be cut short with a negative test after five days. Arrivals also have to show proof of a negative test taken in the previous 72 hours before travelling.

 

Courts said the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme will help airports reduce additional costs faced due to the pandemic. It will involve grants of up to GBP8 million per applicant, to be used to cover fixed costs, such as business rates. This will not greatly help larger airports with rates bills of up to GBP120 million a year.

 

The Airport Operators Association said with the pandemic crisis deepening, a broader package of support was needed for all four nations, not just England, to see the sector through the next few months.

 

In addition to closing the nation's travel corridors, the UK has banned travellers from South America, Portugal and Cape Verde over concerns about a new variant identified in Brazil.

 

On Saturday January 16, another 1,295 deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test were reported in the UK, and a further 41,346 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus.