Coronavirus: Gatwick Airport to get £8 million in support

Restrictions on travel and international bans on flights meant the airport has suffered the full blow of restrictions introduced by the government to ease the spread of the virus.

Now, Britain's second biggest airport will get £8 million to protect jobs and help the sector "bounce back" from the measures.

It is part of a multimillion-pound support scheme for airports that "reflects the aviation sector’s valuable contribution to the UK economy".

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Crawley has been hit by the airport's closure, suffering the full brunt of international travel restrictions.

Local Conservative MP Henry Smith said the grant was "vital" for the town and the airport.

He said: "I’m pleased that Gatwick Airport will receive up to £8 million to help it protect jobs during these challenging times.

“This funding offers vital support for Gatwick Airport – which supports so many jobs and businesses in Crawley.

“The government has provided unprecedented levels of support to protect jobs and businesses through the pandemic, and this latest support will be hugely important for helping Crawley to build back better after coronavirus."

, Britain's second-biggest airport will get £8 million to protect jobs and help the sector "bounce back" from the measures

The airport and ground operators support scheme, which opened on Friday 29th January, will help commercial airports across England to cover losses on costs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

This includes airfield operations, contracted services such as airfield and runway maintenance, and business rate bills.

Airports and ground handlers can apply to the scheme online and if successful, should receive their funding by the end of the financial year.

The financial support scheme, which follows the government’s extension of the furlough scheme, is open for applications until 21st February 2021.