Further COVID-19 Relief Funding for England’s Airports

Funding is available to ease the pressure on commercial airports and ground handlers in England hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Recognising the value of the aviation sector to UK economy, the Government has reopened a multimillion-pound scheme to support England’s commercial airports which have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) is providing funding for airports and ground handlers, compensating for reduced revenue following the introduction of international travel restrictions designed to protect public health and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Applicants will be able to access up to £8 million each to support with fixed costs while curbs on travel remain in place. If successful, they should receive their funding by the end of the financial year.

The financial relief is intended to help cover losses on costs, including airfield operations, contracted services such as airfield and runway maintenance, and business rate bills.

Commercial airports in England with a valid commercial licence from no later than 3 March 2021 that operated at least 12 scheduled commercial passenger flights in 2019 are eligible. Ground handling companies providing as their primary function any of the handling service listed in EU Directive 96/67/EC directly to an airport user for scheduled commercial flights at a commercial airport in England, for a site or sites located in England ,can also apply.

Companies must have received, for their eligible site or sites in England, a business rates bill from their relevant local authority for the 2021 to 2022 financial year and demonstrate a forecasted COVID-19 loss for the six months to 30 September 2021.

The next deadline for applications is 20 June 2021.