The EBAA calls for relief measures after Covid-19

EBAA Helicopter

Photo by EBAA

The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has called on the European Commission, EU Member States and Switzerland to consider relief measures to ensure business continuity

The EBAA said it respects the decision to temporarily restrict non-essential travel in the interest of public health due to the Covid-19 outbreak. However, the spread of the virus, along with travel restrictions, are having a ‘devastating impact’ on the aviation industry, which generates nearly €90 billion and employs over 370,000 people.

The EBAA also notes that medical flights should be exempt from restrictions, ’as they help save lives’, adding that the EBAA operates 70 medical flights a day.

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.”

Over the coming months, the EBAA said it will continue to collaborate closely with all authorities as they work to contain the outbreak.