The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) has described the lifting of the 14-day compulsory self-isolation policy for arrivals into England from Lower risk countries as "a more pragmatic approach" which should enable "the restart and recovery of the aviation sector and subsequent vital boost to the UK?s economic recovery."
Dale Keller, chief executive of BAR UK said ,?The list of exempted countries is what everyone is eagerly waiting for and what we need is clear and concise requirements following a period of short notice interventions that were often drip fed through to the industry and public. Lifting quarantine and revising the FCO travel advice, combined with the enhanced health measures employed throughout the passenger journey, is finally allowing the airline industry to safely welcome back passengers with their wellbeing and confidence as our top priorities."
Additionally, the EU released its own list which recommended the lifting of travel restrictions from more than 40 member states and third countries. Mr Keller said that BAR UK believes "there is no reason the whole of the UK should not reopen to at least that number of initial countries given the multi-layered risk mitigation measures now in place."
"Every day that overseas markets are closed is costing the UK heavily in lost jobs, collapsing trade and negative social impacts, and we urge the UK Government to continually review and expand the list countries as soon as the criteria is met,? Mr Keller added.
Charlie Cornish, Group CEO of Manchester Airports Group, said: ?These travel corridors will open up the chance for people to enjoy a well-earned break abroad and directly benefit the hundreds of thousands of people whose jobs depend on air travel for their livelihoods - whether they work in aviation or for the UK's tourism and hospitality businesses, which can now welcome the first overseas visitors we will have seen for months.
?We have made our airports safe for our passengers and staff, and our airports have already started limited operations to many of these countries. With the quarantine requirement now removed, we look forward to safely welcoming back many more passengers in the coming weeks," Mr Cornish said. ?The government should continue to take a risk-based approach to quarantine arrangements and, where possible, build more air bridges to key tourism and business destinations with low infection rates. Each one will help protect jobs and preserve billions of pounds worth of economic activity in the UK.?
