With a £2bn loss, Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye was in a cautious mood when he unveiled the airport’s 2020 performance last Wednesday (24 February), having heard what the prime minister had to say two days earlier.

The number of passengers passing through the airport fell to 22.1m in 2020 as a result of closed borders and travel restrictions. Over half of these customers travelled in January and February of last year, that is before the onset of the pandemic. Cargo volumes also dropped by 28% during 2020.

He was emphatic in what was required from government: “We need next week’s Budget [Wednesday 3 March] to support aviation’s recovery by extending furlough and providing 100% business rates relief.”  That was the clear message.

He also focussed on the G7 summit in June. “The prime minister has a unique opportunity to agree a common international standard for safe travel with other world leaders.”  For their entourages Heathrow will provide the gateway to UK, and then onward to Newquay.

He called on chancellor Rishi Sunak to provide 100% business rates relief, an extension of the furlough scheme and a reversal of the 2020 tourist tax in next week’s budget “to support aviation’s recovery.”  The tax has not had any visibility since its introduction, there being no tourists. 

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