Ayrshire MP calls for more support of aviation, travel and tourism firms
The SNP politician said that in Ayrshire the pandemic has had a huge impact on our aerospace sector as well as on Prestwick Airport.
MP for Central Ayrshire, Dr Philippa Whitford is calling for greater support for aviation, travel and tourism industries.
The SNP politician said that in Ayrshire the pandemic has had a huge impact on our aerospace sector as well as on Prestwick Airport.
Dr Whitford joined over 80 fellow parliamentarians in the call following the recent closure of all travel corridors.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Future of Aviation, they acknowledged that the latest restrictions were necessary to protect the UK public from the threat of new variants of COVID-19, but also highlighted that these industries therefore need urgent support to cope with the devastating impacts of the pandemic.
Dr Whitford believes the UK Government must bring forward a comprehensive ‘Aviation, Travel and Tourism Recovery Package’ to provide immediate financial support, something she has been calling for since April last year.
Dr Whitford said: “The closure of all travel corridors is a necessary measure to protect the public from new variants of COVID-19, but it will nonetheless be another significant blow to industries which have faced the pandemic without the same levels of support afforded to other sectors.
“Our aviation, travel and tourism industries have been amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic, sadly leading to job losses and leaving our world class aviation industry a shadow of its former self.
“In Central Ayrshire, this has had a huge impact on our aerospace sector as well as Prestwick Airport and our tourism businesses.
"These businesses are vital not only to our local economy, but to our ability to bounce back from the devastating impacts of the pandemic and it is, therefore, vital that the UK Government listens our call to support and protect them, their employees, supply chains and communities who have borne the brunt of the near total collapse of UK passenger numbers.
“Our aviation, aerospace, travel and tourism sectors are running on empty and I urge the Prime Minster to back these vital industries, deliver the support they so desperately need and deliver it now.”
