UK. The UK Travel Retail Forum (UKTRF) today called on the UK government to urgently step in to support the aviation and travel retail sector as the impact of travel restrictions on the industry deepens.
The organisation said that traffic had fallen by over -70% in recent days as a result of measures introduced to limit the spread of COVID-19. Those “worst affected are airport operators, travel retail operators, and landside, airside and maritime concessionaires,” said UKTRF.
UK Travel Retail Forum Chair Francois Bourienne (pictured) said: “COVID-19 poses a clear threat to the UK and international travel system. The government has previously indicated it would take action to minimise the economic damage caused by this pandemic. We know that this crisis is likely to get worse before it gets better, and the need for urgent government support measure is clear.
“The aviation and travel retail industry contributes billions to the UK economy and supports nearly 1 million jobs up and down the country. The travel retail sector is a key part of the industry, often contributing as much as 50% of the revenue streams of airports and ports. As a key UK industry on the front lines of the COVID-19 crises the support of the government at this time would be very welcome.”
He added: “It is very important to remember that the operating environment for airports and travel retailers differs from the high street. Unlike the high street, many airports and travel retailers have no choice as to whether they can open or not or decrease their operating hours – they simply cannot operate in the current climate.
“Without urgent government support many airports and travel retailers may have to close their doors. Without a well-functioning airport and travel retail sector the UK’s economy will face a much longer road to recovery, and regional connectivity will suffer for some time to come.
“We are asking the government to invest in preserving this important sector now to prevent far worse consequences later.”
The UKTRF said it has written to ministers asking for “support measures that will enable the industry to weather the worst of the crisis” and be in a position to make a meaningful economic contribution as the UK recovers. The requested measures include short term financial relief, and the inclusion of the industry in any government-backed compensation schemes developed as the crisis continues.
