By Tony O’Riley-
The boss of Heathrow Airport has told MPs that further social distancing in airports will lead to thousands of job losses, as it grapples with the challenges arising from the coronavirus.
The warning came as Heathrow revealed that it is trialling large-scale temperature checks in an attempt to prevent an influx of Covid-19 cases from abroad Mr. Holland Kaye said temperature checks are already being conducted at departure gates on people going to places where this is a requirement. Mr.Holland-Kaye said the introduction of common standards would allow airlines to start flying again more frequently, after thousands of flights were cancelled in the wake of pandemic.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK told MPs that airlines have outlined three levels of measures with the idea that each country adopts a specific level. Any flight between two destinations would have to comply with the highest level, with staff wearing personal protective equipment and all passengers wearing masks under the strictest level three, for example.
Mr Holland-Kaye told the Transport Select Committee: “If we are told that the only solution until we can get a vaccine in 12 to 18 months’ time is to socially distance in an airport, then tens of thousands of jobs will be cut.
“We cannot afford to wait that long to get flying again,” he added.
Mr Holland-Kaye called for additional government support for the aviation sector as it battles with the coronavirus crisis.
“If you want to get the UK economy started again, you have to get the aviation sector started again.”Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, who was also giving evidence, told MPs that airlines have outlined three levels of measures, with the idea that each country adopts a specific level. Any flight between two destinations would have to comply with the highest level, with staff wearing personal protective equipment and all passengers wearing masks under the strictest level three, for example.