Transport minister Rachel Maclean told the House of Commons that the government “fully recognises and supports the importance of the aviation industry for the country”.

“That’s why the government has stood behind the sector and provided up to £7 billion in the round of support for jobs, through the furlough scheme and support for airports and the airline industry,” added Maclean.

“It’s vitally important that we get the travel industry back on its feet – that’s why we are taking a public health approach to restarting travel.”

Courts’ comments echoed those of vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, who led the government’s Covid briefing on Wednesday (23 June).

The government is due to announce its latest update to the traffic light system on Thursday (24 June) evening.

Maclean added that eligible UK airports would be getting initial payments from the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme “towards the end of the summer”.

This scheme, which was extended in April for six months, gives commercial airports support to pay their fixed costs.

Meanwhile, fellow transport minister Robert Courts said the UK government “welcomed” a proposed deal to save struggling international rail operator Eurostar.

“We will continue to engage with Eurostar to fully understand the company’s position,” he added. “But we would expect shareholders, including the majority shareholder SNCF, the French stated-owned railway, to fully exhaust all options and play their full part.”