'Aviation has been hit hard by the pandemic and the blows keep coming': CEO of Southend Airport on quarantine plans

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The boss of London Southend Airport is calling for immediate support for the aviation Industry. Credit: PA

The boss of London Southend Airport says support is needed immediately for the aviation industry as the Government looks set to impose forced hotel quarantines for all arrivals into the UK.

Glyn Jones says "clear and consistent guidance" is needed now, to make sure there is a "unified approach" across airports within the UK and where possible across Europe.

The CEO of London Southend Airport suggests that an "Air Passenger Duty holiday" as well as funding to help airports with large fixed financial costs such business rates could be provided.

London Southend airport Credit: ITV News Anglia

It comes as Hays Travel has announced it is closing 89 of its former Thomas Cook stores. The company had hoped that business would "bounce back in January", but it has not.

The company had deferred reviewing the performance of the former Thomas Cook shops it acquired in October 2019 to see if business returned in 2021. But the third national lockdown and travel bans meant the company had to act.

Sunderland based Hays Travel has announced it is closing 89 of its recently acquired Thomas Cook shops. Credit: ITV News

Paula Syred from Fox Narrowboats, Cambridgeshire Credit: ITV News Anglia

It comes as the UK's vaccine Minister suggested it is too early to make any holiday plans abroad this year. It has prompted hopes that staycations may be the way forward.

The Managing Director of a Narrowboat business in Cambridgeshire says bookings are slowly coming in for staycation holidays this year.

Kingfisher’s Country Park, Cressingham Credit: ITV News Anglia

Harry Embleton, Director of 'Air Manage Suffolk' told ITV News Anglia that the last few months have been a "very bumpy ride" for bookings.

All lodges at Kingfisher's are currently empty and there are no other bookings across other holiday homes across Suffolk.

The company is hoping for a repeat of what happened in the summer of 2020, where they experienced "an incredible surge in demand" and everything was fully booked after the relaxing of lockdown in July.