Smaller airports have mostly quietly wound down, but distress calls have been loud and clear from the major hubs, with Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester Airports Group (MAG) collectively losing £50 million a day and facing fixed costs of £335 million while operating at 20% capacity.
How some regional airports would love a slice of that 20%.
Newquay, for example, is closed until late March, Southampton shut at weekends during February, while others are relying mainly on freight and flights bringing in medical supplies.
“Cargo has provided some help, but we need passengers back,” says an East Midlands airport (EMA) spokesperson.
