The Scottish Government's travel restrictions during the pandemic caused “severe difficulty” for Scottish airports that will take years to repair, a cross-party committee of MPs has found.
Derek Provan, Chief Executive of AGS Airports, which owns Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, said: “We welcome the findings of the Scottish Affairs Committee’s report on Airports in Scotland and most importantly its recommendations to the UK Government.
“Our focus at AGS is firmly on recovery, and it is important government understands the road to rebuilding the connectivity that plays a vital role in supporting our economy will be a long and difficult one
“The report rightly acknowledges the lack of a level playing field here in Scotland created by the Air Passenger Duty exemption in the Highlands and Islands and the tens of millions in taxpayer’s money poured into Prestwick, which it concludes did not reflect a commercial success.
“A reduction in airlines and aircraft has resulted in consolidation and even greater competition within the aviation industry, which is why it is absolutely imperative this market distortion is addressed.”
The Times reports today that Scottish airports suffered “the worst of both worlds” with a cut in passengers caused by hardline policies with no additional public health benefit as Scots flew in and out of English airports instead, the Scottish affairs committee found.
The committee, chaired by Pete Wishart, the SNP MP, has called for a four-nations approach to restrictions in future national emergencies.
Brian McClean, Director of Communications at AGS, which operates Glasgow and Aberdeen airports, told MPs: “There were points when you could fly to one country from England but not from Scotland.
"The only real winners were the likes of Manchester and Newcastle airports. I say it was the worst of both worlds because there was no public health benefit there.”
Edinburgh airport slashed a third of its direct jobs, from 750 down to 500, while Glasgow lost 2,000 direct and indirect jobs and Aberdeen lost 400 direct jobs.
The committee said: “The Scottish government’s stricter approach brought severe difficulties.”