Australia: Jobkeeper-style aid for international aviation to continue

The federal government has announced it will give another $184m to international aviation to tide the sector over until March 2022. The money will primarily include a continuation of JobKeeper-style payments to pilots and cabin crew that was originally due to expire next month, as well as a further $64m for airports to pay for screening of passengers and baggage. It comes weeks after Qantas and Jetstar revealed it will reinstate international schedules in mid-December between Australia and low-risk countries such as Singapore, the US, Japan, the UK, Canada and Fiji. The news that payments will continue suggests the government is anticipating a staggered opening of borders to different countries. Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce, who oversees transport policy, said, “As a driver of so many sectors of our economy, it is essential that the industry is ready to ramp up operations when international restrictions are eased. It’s also important that the sector continues operating now, to maintain the flow of exports and imports and bring Australians home from overseas.”<br/>