Following an unprecedented collapse in air traffic and passenger numbers, the Airport Operators Association (AOA) has called for urgent business rates relief for the UK’s air transport hubs.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic having decimated the aviation industry, airports are still having to pay more than half a million pounds a day in business rates. The AOA is calling for a year-long relief from business rates for all airports in England and Wales in line with those afforded to the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors.

“Commercial aviation in the UK has weathered the worst four months in its history and faces a lengthy recovery with passenger numbers not expected to reach pre-Covid levels for a considerable period. Our industry is on its knees and the government needs to do much more to support airports in recovering from COVID-19,” said Karen DEE, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association.

According to the AOA airports in England have paid more than £70 million in business rates since the start of the lockdown in March despite passenger numbers being down by around 97%. It has also found that the annual cost of business rates for airports in England is more than £210 million. And in Scotland and Northern Ireland, airports have been given substantial domestic rates relief for a year from the respective devolved authorities.

Dee added that, “Whilst many businesses have benefitted from business rates relief, airports in England and Wales have been forgotten and this is constraining their ability to survive through continued restrictions imposed on their operations and to help power the economic recovery of the country.

That our airports have been paying £500,000 in business rates every day during the lockdown reflects that the government simply has not grasped the severity of the challenge and threat that the pandemic has posed and continues to pose to our sector.

She concluded that a 12-month business relief programme will provide essential support for the UK’s beleaguered airports. It will also allow them to play their much-needed role in restarting the country’s economy.

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