Jet2 suspended all flights until June 23, 2021, blaming the government's lack of clarity on international travel. The low-cost leisure airline is the first operator to suspend flights in response to measures taken by Global Travel Taskforce.
Also, The British government has revealed more details about the "traffic light" system it intends to implement as the tourism industry reopens. the scheme will classify countries according to risk. Factors that include the percentage of the population that have been vaccinated against Covid-19, the rate of infection, the prevalence of variants of concern and access to reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing.
International travel to certain destinations will be possible from May 17.
Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy said he was extremely disappointed with the decision. "We took the time to study the Global Travel Taskforce and are extremely disappointed with the lack of clarity and detail. In fact, the framework of the measures taken is practically the same as six months ago. After the publication of the new measures, we do not know when we will be able to start flying, where we can fly and the cost of testing. Instead of answering questions, the framework allows everyone to ask for more. ”
Passenger testing will also play a key role in the summer season
The government has said that testing remains an essential part of protecting public health as restrictions begin to be lifted. Travelers entering the UK will not be exempt and will have to take a test before the trip, plus two more after arriving in the UK on the second and 8th day.
Officials added that it is too early to predict which countries will be on the red list during the summer, and the government continues to consider a number of factors. The restrictions will be formally reviewed on June 28 depending on how the pandemic will evolve or involve, domestically and internationally and to see if the current measures could be lifted.