UK airports could shut within weeks as airlines ground fleets.. but joyous residents living on Gatwick and Heathrow flightpaths tell of hearing 'birds chirping' and air that's 'never smelt so fresh'
- Plummeting passenger numbers have forced airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair to ground their whole fleet
- Chancellor Rishi Sunak had said last week that he was preparing a package to help the UK aviation industry
- However Mr Sunak has now told industry leaders that the Treasury will provide support only 'as a last resort'
- But the lack of flights in recent days has been welcomed by many Londoners more used to the noise overhead
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Britain's airports could be temporarily closed, aviation bosses have warned after ministers were accused of a U-turn on a promise of special support.
Flatlining footfall could see airports shut within weeks, with plummeting passenger numbers forcing airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair to ground their whole fleet. London City closed to commercial and private flights today.
Meanwhile bigger carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have cut schedules by up to 90 per cent as Britain's skies have fallen quiet in recent weeks.
But the lack of flights has been welcomed by many Londoners more used to the noise overhead - with one, Pav, tweeting: 'I'm taking a walk where I live in London. The air has never smelt so fresh since I've lived here. No planes, you can hear the birds chirping. Actually lovely.'
Another, author Jill Hopper, said: 'In London I try to stargaze but the sky is always full of planes. Tonight the sky is a deep pure navy blue and every bright object is a star.'
The lack of flights has been welcomed by many Londoners more used to the noise overhead - and now amazed at the clear sky
Empty car parks behind British Airways aircraft parked at Cardiff Airport today amid reduced flights and travel restrictions
A British Airways jumbo jet parked at Cardiff Airport today after a huge drop in demand as a result of the pandemic
British Airways aircraft parked at Cardiff Airport today amid travel restrictions brought in due to the coronavirus
Chancellor Rishi Sunak had said last week he was preparing a package to help the aviation industry, rumoured to include a multi-billion-pound deal which could have seen the Government purchase stakes in the hardest-hit airlines.
But he has now told industry leaders that the Treasury will provide support only 'as a last resort' – and only if individual companies have 'exhausted other options' such as raising extra capital from investors.
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London City Airport has suspended all commercial and private flights from tonight until the end of April amid plummeting passenger numbers during the coronavirus outbreak.
The airport said in a statement: 'Following the Government's latest instructions in response to the coronavirus outbreak, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily suspend all commercial and private flights from the airport.
An empty London Heathrow Airport is pictured this morning as people stop flying due to the coronavirus pandemic
The view over London Heathrow Airport this morning shows just six active aircraft, given the coronavirus restrictions
The drop in air traffic over Europe is seen over the past month, with just 1,700 flights on Monday, compared to a normal 7,000
'At this point in this fast moving and unprecedented situation, we think this is the responsible thing to do for the safety and well-being of our staff, passengers and everyone associated with the airport.'
The airport added: 'We have offered the use of London's most central airport to the Government in case it can be used by the emergency services or other agencies to support the national effort to combat the outbreak of this virus and provide care to people in need.'
The Airport Operators Association, which represents UK airports, accused the Government of abandoning the sector amid fears some airlines could collapse within weeks.
Chief executive Karen Dee said: 'Our industry will now have to fight on its own to protect its workforce and its future. With passenger numbers approaching close to zero, airports have seen a major drop in revenue.
A woman wears a face mask at a very quiet London Heathrow Airport Terminal Five yesterday
A solitary passenger wears a mask as he arrives at Heathrow Airport in London yesterday
Passengers self distance as they wait at London Heathrow Airport Terminal Five yesterday
'They are taking unprecedented steps to safeguard airport staff and operations, which could include in some cases considering shutting down for a period of time. This could have major impacts for UK communities and businesses.'
The AOA has demanded a support package that included measures such as relaxing regulations relating to mandatory training requirements, extending business rate relief to airports and deferring all aviation taxes for the duration of global flight restrictions.
Virgin Atlantic has also urged the Government to offer a £7.5billion bailout, while the Balpa pilots' union warned last week that aviation companies could begin 'winding down' in the coming days without more support.
Many of the country's smaller regional airports were already struggling before the pandemic following the collapse of Flybe earlier this month.
A line of grounded British Airways planes at Cardiff Airport today amid the coronavirus pandemic
These KLM, British Airways and Transavia aircraft have been parked up in Norwich Airport today due to the lack of demand
A line of British Airways jets has been parked in Glasgow today. They have been fitted with engine covers to prevent damage
In his letter to the industry, the Chancellor says: 'Given the significant importance of the aviation sector to our economy and economic recovery, the Government is prepared to enter negotiations with individual companies seeking bespoke support as a last resort, having exhausted other options.
'However further taxpayer support would only be possible if all commercial avenues have been fully explored, including raising further capital from existing investors and discussing arrangements with financial stakeholders.'
The Mail understands the decision not to provide a single package of support was taken after it became clear that each aviation company had very different needs.
Ministers are confident that bigger firms with wealthy shareholders will weather the storm without the need for billions in taxpayer cash.
TODAY: This map shows the low number of planes now travelling across the world, with only a handful over North America
LAST WEDNESDAY: Flight traffic today is also down on this time last week when there were still a significant number of flights
CHRISTMAS DAY 2019: Flight usage was higher even on Christmas Day last year, as this Flightradar24 graphic shows above
SIX MONTHS AGO: Flight usage on a normal Wednesday in September 2019 shows a comparison to the low figures today
This was underlined last week after easyJet pressed ahead with a £174million payout to shareholders - days after calling for a state loan to help them survive. One third of the cash went to founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
Sir Richard Branson has pledged £215million to support Virgin Atlantic, which he part-owns, but the airline is still calling for a taxpayer bailout.
A Treasury spokesman said: 'The aviation sector is important to the UK economy, and will be able to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor in recent days, including a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital, Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees and VAT deferrals.
'We are continuing to work closely with the sector and are willing to consider the situation of individual firms, so long as all other government schemes have been explored and all commercial options exhausted, including raising capital from existing investors.'
A woman wears a mask as she walks through London Heathrow Airport Terminal Five yesterday
A sign at London Heathrow Airport Terminal Five arrivals warns of coronavirus yesterday
The British Airline Pilots Association warned last week that aviation companies could begin 'winding down' in the coming days without more support.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK - an industry body representing UK-registered airlines, welcomed the announcement that the Government will enter negotiations with individual airlines.
He added it was 'essential' that wider measures to support businesses 'are implemented as quickly as possible, with accompanying further guidance, to support airlines'.
Deserted skies: Flight tracker reveals scale of global coronavirus lockdown as airlines ground planes to prevent spread of deadly infection
Airlines across the globe have slashed services in an effort to slow down the spread of coronavirus, with thousands of fewer flights in the air.
Data from airline tracking site Flight Radar 24 shows the massive reduction in the numbers of aircraft flying across the globe.
According to the International Air Transport Association, it now expects 2020 air traffic to fall by 38 per cent before embarking on a recovery later this year. That could cut carbon dioxide emissions by several hundred million tonnes, based on earlier forecasts and data.
Major carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have already cut 90 per cent of their services.
This map shows the number of flights in the air heading to and from London Heathrow Airport around 8am this morning
This map shows the number of aircraft flying to and from London Heathrow Airport six months ago, showing considerably more traffic in the air, especially from the United States, Europe and the Middle East
British Airways has so far grounded 90 per cent of its fleet, pictured here at London Heathrow Airport earlier this month
Low cost airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet are planning to ground their entire fleets over the coming weeks. Others such as Thai Airways International have already cancelled almost all their international flights from today as a result of the pandemic.
IATA has warned that many airlines are facing collapse and will require substantial government rescue packages.
Thai Airlines has stopped flights across Asia and will withdraw from most of Europe on April 1. They will suspend flights to Australia on March 27.
However, the airline said they will continue to service Munich and Zurich.
Last week Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he was preparing a package to help the aviation industry, rumoured to include a multi-billion-pound deal which could have seen the Government purchase stakes in the hardest-hit airlines.
However, he has now told industry leaders the Treasury will provide support only 'as a last resort' – and only if individual companies have 'exhausted other options' such as raising extra capital from investors.
Flight Radar 24 records show a substantial reduction in the number of flights comparing 10am on February 25, left, and earlier this morning, right, as airlines cancel services due to the collapse in demand following coronavirus
The Airport Operators Association accused the Government of abandoning the sector. Chief executive Karen Dee said: 'Our industry will now have to fight on its own to protect its workforce and its future. With passenger numbers approaching close to zero, airports have seen a major drop in revenue. They are taking unprecedented steps to safeguard airport staff and operations, which could include in some cases considering shutting down for a period of time. This could have major impacts for UK communities and businesses.'
The AOA has demanded a support package including extending business rate relief to airports and deferring all aviation taxes.
Airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair have grounded their entire fleet, while bigger carriers such as BA and Virgin Atlantic have cut schedules by up to 90 per cent.
According to Flight Radar 24, at the end of December 2019, some 175,000 flights a day were being tracked rising to almost 200,000 in mid February. However, last weekend, the level has fallen to around 100,000, with further declines expected
These British Airways jets have been parked up at Glasgow Airport after the airline announced a 90 per cent service cut
In Dusseldorf, Germany, these Eruowings and Condor aircraft have been parked up due to the lack of demand for travel
Ground staff working at Norwich Airport have placed aircraft around the facility to maximise the number of jets that can be parked until the are needed again
Ministers are said to be confident bigger firms with wealthy shareholders will cope without the need for billions in taxpayer cash. The Treasury said: 'We are willing to consider the situation of individual firms, so long as all other Government schemes have been explored and all commercial options exhausted.'
In the United States, airlines have been warned that any government bailouts would require improvements in emissions standards.
Andrew Murphy of campaign group Transport & Environment said he wants airlines using more low-carbon fuel and pay tax on kerosene and international ticket sales.
He said: 'Airlines calling for public support in bad times should accept they need to start paying taxes in good times.'
Democrats on Capitol Hill have proposed requiring airlines to cut emissions by 25 per cent within 15 years and 50 per cent by 2050 in return for a $40billion grant.
In Australia, any Qantas rescue would likely require faster progress on carbon, sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
The coronavirus shutdown is likely to result in a full-year decline in emissions from aviation and other industries. Some experts say that could dilute public support for climate action.
According to IATA, it now expects 2020 air traffic to fall by 38 per cent before embarking on a recovery later this year. That could cut carbon dioxide emissions by several hundred million tonnes, based on earlier forecasts and data.
In Thailand, Thai Airways has also announced significant service reductions due to coronavirus and the drop in demand
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