The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) has welcomed the additional financial support for international airline staff stood down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We welcome the Government providing some financial relief for pilots who are directly affected by its policy of keeping Australia's international border closed," said AIPA president Captain Murray Butt.
"This will provide some relief for financially distressed members of the aviation community."
Captain Butt said that while many sectors of the economy were recovering from the impact of Covid, the same could not be said of the aviation industry.
"Qantas and Jetstar staff who have been stood down for the past year don't know when they will be flying again."
"That has made it very difficult for pilots who have been unable to move on with their careers."
"Many have taken up secondary employment while they wait for global travel to resume."
Captain Butt said pilots hoped the rapid roll out of Covid vaccinations globally would lead to international flights resuming by October.
