Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced that six South West airports will each receive a government grant of up to £8million, helping to protect jobs and the local economy.
The funding will be equivalent to the business rates the airports would otherwise have to pay – meaning the airports will pay nothing in business rates in 2020/21.
The airports at Bournemouth, Bristol, Exeter, Isles of Scilly (St Mary’s), Land’s End (St Just) and Newquay will all benefit.
The funding, which will also be used to support ground handlers, comes as the Transport Secretary announced plans to reduce the time needed in self-isolation after travelling abroad.
From 15 December, passengers returning from overseas will be given the option of having a coronavirus test after five days in isolation, with a negative test releasing them from the need to isolate for any longer.
Combined, the new funding and quarantine measures will give a much-needed boost to the aviation sector, which has faced a challenging year after passenger numbers severely declined during the coronavirus pandemic.
Airports, airlines and other aviation businesses have also been able to draw on the government’s unprecedented support, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Business Interruption Loans.
In total, the aviation and aerospace sectors have received over £9billion in support.