In a joint statement, industry bodies including Airlines4Europe, the European Travel Agents and Tour Operators Associations and European Regions Airline Association call for “quick and targeted support” for an industry “that has come to a complete halt and is struggling to survive the Covid-19 crisis”.

The associations point out aviation remains a “strategically important sector making a vital contribution to Europe’s overall economy and employment”.

According to the industry bodies, aviation represents more than 12 million jobs and contributes 3.3% of all employment and 4.1% of all GDP in European countries.

It welcomes initiatives by the European Commission such as state aid but says better coordinated and proactive actions are needed to “support the aviation industry and aid in its future recovery”.

The statement calls on the European Institutions to “take all the necessary measures to ensure the short-term financial viability of the travel industry enterprises”.

“Europe’s citizens, communities and visitors will see its vibrance restored more rapidly if the air transport sector can quickly recover, once the COVID-19 health crisis has passed,” it adds. “No small part of this depends on governments providing firm supportive measures today.”