Dear Member

I have been talking to DfT about the issues we are facing as a sector and I mentioned the potential of our community to perhaps support the movement of people and hardware, either internally or internationally. I also asked whether they might need our help to repatriate some of the one million UK citizens unable to make it back to major airports for the larger charters.  On both counts the UK Government could well need our help.  Could you please confirm what position you are in operationally and whether you would be able to undertake work of this nature.

As a secondary question the DfT would like to know the current level of trading in our sector  compared to a normal period. Please treat this as a rough order of magnitude purely to give them an indication of how hard we have been hit.

We have also raised the question regarding furlough of staff whereby when a furlough worker is not allowed to work, he/she must be allowed to do their recurrency training (ground courses, sim, etc) and operate the odd flight that ensures that he/she remains current (3 landings in 90 days rule).

I have agreed with DfT that any questions related to the Government, its responses and support offered, will be focused through the DfT rather than chasing round other departments working from home.  As we get these questions posed and answered we will share them directly with the members on the new App ‘BBGA 2020’.

Best Regards,