Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Government to address impact of coronavirus on aviation

Aerospace Security

Government to address impact of coronavirus on aviation

Later this week, the UK Government and aviation industry representatives will meet to consider emergency measures to ameliorate the impact of COVID-19 on commercial air travel, as the coronavirus pandemic and travel restrictions dramatically curtail passenger demand.


Image By pisaphotography / copyright Shutterstock

It follows comments made by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Monday when he said he would secure a collective response from airlines later this week, whilst Chancellor Rishi Sunak in a press conference yesterday afternoon said: "In the coming days, my colleague the Secretary of State for Transport and I will discuss a potential support package for specifically airlines and airports."

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

In his speech at the Airport Operators Association (AOA) annual dinner last Thursday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps talked about the present challenges facing the aviation industry (following the collapse of Flybe): "We stand amid a testing time for aviation but one that together, I am certain we shall weather. And, if we continue to work together, fuelled by friendly competition, tempered by necessary cooperation… I am certain we can overcome the current turbulence for British and global aviation.

"COVID-19 is having a dramatic impact across the sector. I am determined that the government, without prejudice to particular firms, does its bit to ensure that a random act of nature doesn’t undermine well managed businesses."

Commenting on the announcement by the Chancellor that a bespoke package of measures would be agreed on aviation with respect to alleviating the impacts of COVID-19, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK-registered airlines and other carriers with a UK operation, said: “This is welcome news and it’s very positive the Chancellor has promised a bespoke package for aviation.

"Clearly the detail will be important and we will want to see something sooner rather later, but we look forward to starting these discussions with Government in the coming days.”

Responding to the support package for businesses announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak yesterday, ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said: “The measures announced by the Chancellor will provide welcome reassurance and support for companies across our industries and the wider economy.

“Government assistance in addressing problems from temporary disruption to orders, supply chains or access to finance will help businesses to manage the economic challenges and minimise any long-term impact.

“We will make sure the Government is fully and quickly informed of issues raised in our sectors in the coming weeks and months and will work closely with them to help develop and deliver the support required.”

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

Meanwhile, Wesley Baker, CEO of ANCON Medical, an early diagnosis specialist, has highlighted the need for widespread testing: “The Government has brought in widespread social distancing measures and a raft of policies designed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic but current modelling and predictions of the scale of the outbreak is largely operating from guesswork.

"It is clear that there are many more cases than the confirmed number indicates – both from medical experts and now the Government advisers themselves. Dealing with the outbreak requires extensive testing – the WHO’s advice is ‘test, test, test’ but we are not seeing that as of yet.

"Another issue we are seeing is how long current diagnosis methods take to give results. PCR testing takes up to three days to give a diagnosis, meaning that when results are announced each day it is really the number that were diagnosed a few days ago. In such a fast moving situation, having the most accurate and up-to-date information and data is of the utmost importance.

"At ANCON we are really keen to help the NHS tackle this disease through fast diagnosis and effective screening. It has been made clear that the Government will invest heavily into getting this right but what we need to see is effective cooperation between the public and private sector. Innovative technology such as ours could have an enormous impact if implemented correctly.”


 

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft

Aerospace

Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft

10 July 2025

Lars Wagner, currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTU Aero Engines AG, based in Munich, will join the Airbus Executive Committee and succeed Christian Scherer as CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business, effective 1st January 2026.

Avelia to transform into multiple SAF supplier solution

Aerospace

Avelia to transform into multiple SAF supplier solution

10 July 2025

One of the largest suppliers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Shell Aviation, along with Accenture and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), has announced today that Avelia is in the process of evolving into an industry solution with independent data hosting and a multisupplier model helping users access the greenhouse gas (GHG) ...

AI firms collaborate with Heathrow to enhance operations

Aerospace

AI firms collaborate with Heathrow to enhance operations

9 July 2025

Heathrow is harnessing advanced technology to make aircraft ground operations faster, smarter and more seamless across 116 gates at Terminals Two, Three and Five, as part of a strategic collaboration with IAG and Assaia.

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

Aerospace

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

8 July 2025

Viasat today announced a milestone for its JetXP business aviation in-flight broadband service, following recent test flights that successfully connected the Global Aero Terminal (GAT) 5510 to a ViaSat-3 satellite for the first time.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

Aerospace

ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

8 July 2025

Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced major student and faculty achievements resulting from the use of ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 Flight Simulator, which provides hands-on experience in aircraft design and performance evaluation, directly contributing to a growing body of student-led research and academic ...

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

8 July 2025

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has had its busiest June ever, with a record 1,360,957 passengers travelling through the airport last month.

Advertisement
ODU RT