Heathrow boss calls for 100% business rates relief after “devastating” year

The boss of Heathrow Airport has called on the government to fully support businesses following the publication of its full year results.

For the year ending December 31, the airport saw an annual loss of £2bn as a result of the “devastating” impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 also saw a 28 per cent decline in cargo volumes for the airport, while passenger numbers for the year dropped to 22.1m - over half of which travelled in January and February prior to the first lockdown.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO, commented: “2020 has been one of our most challenging years - but despite £2bn of losses and shrinking to passenger levels we haven’t seen since the 70s, I am hugely proud of the way that our colleagues have kept our passengers safe and the UK’s hub airport open for vital supplies throughout.

“We can be hopeful for 2021, with Britain on the cusp of becoming the first country in the world to safely resume international travel and trade at scale.

“Getting aviation moving again will save thousands of jobs and reinvigorate the economy, and Heathrow will be working with the Global Travel Taskforce to develop a robust plan underpinned by science and backed by industry.

“The Prime Minister will then have the unique opportunity to secure global agreement on a common international standard for travel when he hosts the G7 in June. In the meantime, we need next week’s Budget to support aviation’s recovery by extending furlough and providing 100 per cent business rates relief.”

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