Government refuses to reassure airlines amid looming travel meltdown

Sunday, 28 Jan, 2021 0

The government has refused to offer reassurance to airlines that financial support is on the way despite the renewed clampdown on travel.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said it is not just airlines that are hurting, but the wider economy.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 this morning, Gove was twice asked if he was prepared to see airlines go bust.

"I think what we need to do is make sure that we keep people in this country safe," he said. "Of course, it’s not just airlines, it’s different parts of the economy that have had to bear the strain as a result of this."

Reminded that airlines are particularly affected by a travel ban, and asked if they will be bailed out, Gove said: "We are always looking at how we can support every business that faces particular challenges but the decisions on economic support are made by the Cabinet on the basis of the Chancellor and business secretary about what the right thing is to do

"Airlines are a critical part of our broader infrastructure but what I can’t do is say definitively today that an industry or company will receive specific support."

Meanwhile, Gove said a Cabinet sub-committee is meeting later today to look in further detail at how the hotel quarantine process will work.

He emphasised that travel should not be undertaken to go on holiday ‘or to boost your Instagram profile’.

"One of the things we are planning to do is to introduce appropriate checks….so we can provide people with the support they need to in order to make sure any journey is safe.

"But more details will be announced later today or tomorrow. The relevant sub-committee that reviews how travel restrictions operate will be meeting later in order to make sure we can provide people with greater certainty about the process."

He refused to be drawn on a start date for the new quarantine restrictions.

Responding to suggestions that a blanket ban on arrivals should be introduced, and not just from ‘high risk’ countries, Gove said it will be ‘reviewing how extensive that list needs to be’.

"We will be guided by advice from scientific advice and reporting back later on where the line will be drawn," he said.