'Future of UK aviation' at risk - airlines
The UK's aviation industry may not survive the coronavirus pandemic without emergency financial support, airlines have warned.
Trade body Airlines UK has asked the federal government for a package worth several billion pounds.
US travel restrictions will hit all transatlantic routes from Tuesday, further denting the aviation sector.
The government said it had been open to supporting all businesses, including airlines.
In a stark message, Airlines UK said the government's "prevarication" and "bean counting" had to avoid.
"We're talking about the continuing future of UK aviation - one of our world-class industries - and unless the government pulls itself together who knows exactly what will be left of it once we get out of this mess," it added.
Airline bosses have already been speaking with ministers, and executives at Virgin Atlantic are because of write to the prime minister.
The demand comes after the US announced it'll extend its European travel ban to include the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The ban, that will get started at 04:00 GMT on Tuesday, will hit vital routes for the likes of British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian Air.
The federal government said in a statement that it recognises the down sides UK airlines are facing.
"We are engaging with the sector's leadership to aid workers, businesses and passengers," it said.
"We've influenced the European Commission to relax flight slots and HMRC is preparing to help all businesses, including airlines, and self-employed individuals, experiencing temporary financial difficulties because of coronavirus."
Under European law, if flights aren't operated, designated take-off and landing slots need to be forfeited.
The other day, Virgin Atlantic confirmed it was forced to use some near-empty flights after bookings were dented by the outbreak.
British Airways warned employees on Friday that the industry was facing a "crisis of global proportions" that was worse than that due to the SARS virus or 9/11.
In a memo titled "The Survival of British Airways", the business's boss Alex Cruz said that it's to ground flights "like never before" and lay off staff.
On Thursday, Norwegian Air said it was set to cancel 4,000 flights and temporarily lay off about half of its staff.
