EBAA calls on EC to consider business aviation COVID-19 relief measures

The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has announced that, though it respects the decision made by European authorities to temporarily restrict non-essential travel following the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, it has called on the European Commission (EC), Member States and Switzerland to consider all recovery and relief measures possibly available to ensure business continuity for operators, airports and others within the business aviation industry.

Athar Husain Khan, EBAA Secretary General, said: “It is still too early to fully evaluate the extent of the crisis’ impact on the business aviation sector. But we have been receiving reports of operators’ aircraft grounded, airport closures and staff being put on leave across Europe due to the rapidly evolving crisis and travel restrictions”.

Given the current global COVID-19 pandemic, EBAA has emphasised its respect for the European Commission, the Member States and Switzerland’s decisions to temporarily restrict non-essential travel in the interest of global public health. For business aviation, safety is – and always will be – the top priority.

Amidst the crisis, one area of the business aviation sector – medical flights – should clearly be exempt from any restrictions, as they help to save lives. On average, European business aviation operates no less than 70 medical flights each day.

The rapid spread of COVID-19, in addition to government and business-imposed travel restrictions, is having a devastating impact on the aviation industry, and the business aviation sector alike. Business aviation is a significant contributor to the European economy, connecting three times more destinations than scheduled airlines, generating nearly €90 billion and employing over 370,000 people.

Subsequently, business aviation has called on the European Commission, the Member States and Switzerland to consider all recovery and relief measures available in order to safeguard operational and business continuity. It is critical to allow business aviation operators to return to normal operations as soon as possible, enabling them to support the recovery of the wider economy.

Over the coming weeks and months, the business aviation sector has emphasised that it will continue to collaborate intensely with all authorities as they work to contain this outbreak and mitigate its impact on European citizens and the world.