British pilots demand "decisive" action

LONDON - British pilots say the Government should urgently produce an action plan to clear confusion about measures to mitigate the Covid-19 crisis and to rebuild passenger confidence.

The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) says the travel industry is being crippled by constantly changing restrictions. It says the latest announcement of airport testing comes with more questions than answers, leaving passengers without the confidence to travel or book for future trips

"Uncertainty is crippling for UK aviation which is already on its knees," BALPA GM Brian Strutton said. "The industry is in total confusion over how to navigate the crisis and we need our leaders to come up with a decisive action plan and support package."

Early January "saw multiple airlines cutting back their schedules for 2021", Strutton continued. "This is a critical point for our previously world leading industry. Unless the Government and its various aviation taskforces come up with more financial support and a road map to recovery I fear we could see further airline failures in the UK."