Sadly, the political decisions affected and still having an effect on the industry.
Those that are stating the government supported the industry need some realisation checks. As
@White Heather the support given was too little too late. When the Chancellor announced that they would support furlough up to and including September 2020 the industry, alongside other industries that were affected the most, quite quickly and straight of the bat said we need supporting longer than that. They were ignored - which lead to redundancies to ensure the companies were still in a fit state/finically okay to operate when the bounce back happened.
Then let's not forget the traffic light system which was the biggest load of crap I've ever known, an inept government minister/secretary of state, design. Again the industry said to the government work with us not against us with this; let's work together. Let us see the data your working to and let us see the methodology, let's have a "lead in time" for these changes (we know first then public), lets get together as an industry and work as one to come up with wise decisions.
So we are not left high and dry when you declare a country going from Green to Amber, or Amber to Red, likewise we know what's coming around the corner going the other way so we can be prepared etc. Instead the Health Secretary and Transport Secretary, ignored these calls over and over again and did exactly what the industry didn't want them to do. Where is the support to the industry? Where was what they called for? No where.
Don't even get me started on the other countries and there entry requirements. They too are to blame - France been recent one.
This is backed up by LBA chief exec - as
@White Heather stated in the up date from LBA committee group; as others in the industry have stated in the press, recruitment was going actually well in the latter parts of 2021 due to the bounce back happening and covid finally taking a back burner. It wasn't until it was claimed that Omnicron was dangerous (
despite calls from South Africa that it was a mild cold). That killed any recruitment drive/momentum that companies had as people were like the first thing to go, again, would be the aviation industry and look what little to no support they've had over the last 18 months coupled with the ongoing battle with government in terms of green, amber, red, purple, blue, silver travel lists etc. That stopped recruitment dead in the water.
The industry gained momentum again with travel restrictions dropping left right and centre, but due to the momentum that was killed in December and they've found themselves in an impossible position in terms of wanting to offer the flights that are on sale but under recruited thanks to the December blip.
The government should take full flack for all that they've done. The industry is not to blame. Sorry it's a rant, and it's totally off subject, but unfortunately the two are very intactly linked.