Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to support the aviation industry and its workforce during (a) the phases of the covid-19 lockdown restrictions easing and (b) a potential second wave of the outbreak; and whether those plans include (i) an extended job retention scheme for workers in the aviation industry and (ii) ensuring pilots have access to simulators or flight time to fulfil the three take offs and landings in 90 days requirements.

Our transport systems are critical to support the restart of the wider economy and we continue to work closely with the aviation sector through the phasing of lockdown restrictions and beyond, on these restart plans and the longer-term recovery of the sector. In addition, the International Aviation Taskforce has been set up to support the development of guidelines for safely restarting the sector that will take place, when the science allows. The Taskforce will be publishing guidance for passengers and operators shortly.

The Chancellor recently extended the Job Retention Scheme until the end of October, bringing more flexibility to the scheme to ensure those who are able to work can do so, while remaining amongst the most generous employee schemes in the world. As well as financial support for employees, firms can also draw upon the unprecedented package of measures to protect jobs, including: schemes to raise capital and flexibilities with tax bills.

The Civil Aviation Authority is working with airlines and airports to provide flexibility within the regulatory framework to help manage and mitigate Covid-19 impacts where this is appropriate, including on fulfilment of regulatory requirements such as Pilot’s flight time.