Rishi Sunak told parliament the state would continue to support furloughed employees at the current rate of 80% of salary up to £2,500 a month.

However, he said that from August, the government would seek “greater flexibility” to support the return to work by allowing furloughed staff to return part-time.

“We will ask employers to share with the government the cost of paying people’s salaries.”

He said full details would be available at the end of May.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: “This is a welcome announcement and we are pleased that from August staff will be allowed to come back to work part-time.

"With aviation’s recovery due to be prolonged and uncertain owing to ongoing travel restrictions, including the 14-day quarantine period proposed by the government, more action is needed to protect our world leading aviation sector.

"Our focus remains on working with government on the measures required to allow for an effective re-start and recovery of our industry.”