Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Air Travel Corridors

Wednesday 1 July 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has been working closely with devolved Administrations on a coherent UK-wide approach to COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Further details on regulations, including a list of exempt countries and territories for arriving passengers, will be announced shortly.
  • Edinburgh Airport has seen significant drops in passenger numbers and staff furlough rates during the crisis.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Transport Foreign Affairs
Context

Discussions between Cabinet colleagues and Scottish Government Ministers on easing restrictions for domestic, intra-UK, and European air travel.

Question

What recent discussions has the Government had with Cabinet colleagues and Scottish Government Ministers regarding establishing air travel corridors as COVID-19 restrictions ease within Scotland, between Scotland and the rest of the UK, and between Scotland and Europe?

Answer from Iain Stewart (Minister for Scotland)

The Government have been working closely with the devolved Administrations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure a coherent UK-wide approach. We will shortly announce further details on regulations, including a full list of countries and territories from which arriving passengers will be exempted from self-isolation requirements.

Answered
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Q2 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Economy Transport
Context

Discusses the economic impact of reduced air travel due to COVID-19, highlighting unemployment at Edinburgh Airport and loss of major events such as the Edinburgh Festival.

Question

Edinburgh Airport is a significant employer with 80% staff furloughed during the crisis. The airport has seen passenger numbers drop from an average of 40,000 daily to fewer than 200 on some days. With major events like the Edinburgh Festival cancelled and tourism impacted, every job in Edinburgh is under threat. Will this Government use their efforts to support the airline industry and related jobs?

Answer from Iain Stewart (Minister for Scotland)

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her question. I do know the importance that Edinburgh Airport in her constituency has not just for the airport but for the wider economy. I would be very happy to meet her to discuss her specific points in further detail, but the global airline industry is facing a huge challenge and it will require considerable efforts to get it back on its feet.

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