Airlines today reiterated their call for Britain to resume international travel, calling on the government to allow those vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel freely as the high summer season approaches and Europe begins to 'reopen' its activities.
British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair said Britain's strict travel quarantine rules, which discourage travel, would exacerbate the airline crisis as July and August approach, two months in which the industry has the highest profits.
"The United Kingdom will be left behind because I really see Europe moving faster to 'open up,'" British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle told an online conference.
EU countries have agreed to ease travel restrictions from 1 July to allow fully vaccinated tourists to avoid tests and quarantine.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said in a statement that Britain should allow vaccinated British and European citizens to travel between the United Kingdom and the European Union without the need for quarantine and testing.
EasyJet said it transports aircraft from the UK, usually its largest market, to Europe as most of its bookings now come from there.
Aircraft that usually fly from Britain to Mallorca, for example, now fly from Berlin to the Spanish island instead, easyJet reported.
On 24 June, the UK is expected to update its list of destinations for which travelers are not required to be quarantined when returning to the UK.
Source: RES-EAP