Coronavirus Northern Ireland: Murphy raises concerns with Transport Secretary | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Coronavirus Northern Ireland: Murphy raises concerns with Transport Secretary

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has had a conference call with Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps.

Last week the Finance Minister met with the Chief Executives of Belfast City, Belfast International and City of Derry airports, where they each outlined the very severe financial challenges they are facing.

 

 

Minister Murphy said, “Today I reinforced to the Transport Secretary that our airports are a critical part of our economic infrastructure and they need urgent support.

“COVID-19 has had a profound impact locally, with all three airports seeing a dramatic decline in flights.

“Both the Executive and the British Government have taken significant emergency measures to support workers and the broader economy.

 

 

“However, the Chief Executives of each of our three local airports have stressed to me how important it is that the Government delivers the targeted support the airports need to help them to continue to operate.

“The other taxes and regulatory costs they face need to be deferred. 

“Looking ahead Air Passenger Duty (APD) needs to be suspended for at least six months once the pandemic has abated – indeed APD needs more fundamental action going forward.

 

 

He added, “We must provide support for workers so airports are primed and ready to maintain vital air links as we recover from this crisis.”

Keep up to date with all the latest Northern Ireland Coronavirus / Covid-19 news HERE

 

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Posted by on Mar 25 2020. Filed under Coronavirus. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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