Airlines welcome travel policy review - 17 SEP 21

Airlines welcome simplified travel policy but the need for full international vaccination recognition remains

17 September 2021 - The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) has welcomed the Government’s policy review on international travel that eases the most onerous requirements for many vaccinated travellers.  

Dale Keller, chief executive of BAR UK said, “Greater freedom of movement for many vaccinated passengers, without the anxiety of pre-departure tests and the high cost of PCR testing on arrival, will help restore traveller confidence and set the aviation, travel and tourism sectors on what is still a long road to recovery.”

Commenting on the new rules, he said, “Moving from the established three traffic light system to a Red list, and a two-tier entry regime for vaccinated or non-vaccinated passengers, brings greater clarity to entry requirements and recognises the vaccination status of an additional 17 countries. This is to be applauded, however the revised system can only work effectively - and without discrimination, when fully vaccinated status is recognised for all travellers to the UK. Testing requirements for many remains costly and excessive, and a significant number of inbound markets for the UK will still remain unfairly treated.”

“The UK’s complex and costly travel restrictions decimated passenger volumes over the summer while much of Europe capitalised on vaccination roll-out by rebuilding their connectivity. Today’s announcement is a step towards properly rebalancing international travel risk with the Government’s domestic Covid response, and will enable the UK to begin to claw back lost ground as airlines attempt to rebuild their operations. Over the coming weeks airlines will continue their engagement with the UK Government on rapidly expanding international vaccination recognition so to develop strategies with the ambition of normalising travel as soon as feasible.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) presents the widest international voice of the airline industry; representing 70 scheduled airlines in the UK in their engagement with government, government departments, regulators and airport operators.

For further information contact:

Dale Keller

Chief Executive

BAR UK

Mobile: 07740 174 815

E-mail: dale.keller@bar-uk.org

Follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/BAR_UK_