The Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Transport wrote to airlines about the new government-industry partnership to help stranded British travellers.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps wrote to the airline industry. They welcomed the airlines’ agreement work in partnership to help stranded British travellers during the unprecedented challenge of coronavirus (COVID-19) challenges.
For this joint effort in the national interest, the government will commission a series of special charter flights that airlines will operate on a strict cost-recovery basis, paid by the taxpayer. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office will lead this programme, and the Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will continue to provide senior strategic engagement and operational support.