Airlines respond to international travel announcement – “a missed opportunity and a reopening in name only”

May 7th, 2021

Commenting on the latest announcement on the reopening of international travel, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“This is a missed opportunity and with so few countries making it onto the Green list represents a reopening of air travel in name only.  

“By contrast the EU has said vaccinated people will be able to travel without restrictions which leaves the UK at risk of falling behind and not opening up international travel to key markets across Europe as well as the United States.

“We strongly believe that, alongside the domestic economy, travel can be safely reopened and so we must see major additions to the Green list at the next review point in three weeks, alongside a simpler and much reduced testing burden so that travel does not become the preserve of the wealthy only.”