The pilots’ union BALPA has asked to see details of any government proposals to restart commercial flying. The pilots union says it is concerned that health and safety of aircrew and passengers, and the effectiveness and commercial impacts of schemes like 14 day quarantine periods, have not been thoroughly thought through.

Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary, said “We haven’t seen the scientific basis for the possible 14 day quarantine proposal, nor any risk assessments for the health and wellbeing of crew.

“There are too many open questions. What is the Government’s plan for aviation? How does it all fit together? Is the U.K. acting consistently with other jurisdictions or going it alone? And crucially, will the government pay for airlines to fly inefficiently due to the government’s imposed restrictions?

“My concern is that once again the Government has not considered the impacts on pilots and other crew facing job losses and pay cuts – there has to be a moratorium on these threats and a viable plan to support aviation.  It’s high time the Government got its act together.”