Test changes come at 'critical time', say industry leaders

Tim Alderslade, Airlines UK chief executive, said: “This is a hugely welcome move at a critical time in the booking season for passengers, and will provide a massive boost to those wanting to travel abroad or come to the UK this year.

"People will now be able to book knowing that – for the fully vaccinated – all emergency testing restrictions have been removed. 
 
“Today marks an important step towards learning to live alongside the virus, helping passengers and the travel sector look ahead to what will be an all-important spring and summer season.”

Kirsten Hughes, Travel Counsellors UK managing director, hailed “fantastic news”.

She said: "This measure will boost consumer confidence and removes a major barrier to travel.  Holidaymakers and business travellers alike have been very concerned at the thought of being unable to travel home because of a positive test and this has made people think twice about travelling, particularly those wanting to get away imminently."   

Johan Lundgren, easyJet chief executive, added: “We welcome the government’s decision to remove the unnecessary and costly pre-departure testing for travellers and revert to a single lateral flow test on arrival. 

“This will make travel much simpler and easier and means our customers can book and travel with confidence. However, the government must now urgently take the final step towards restriction free travel and remove the last remaining unnecessary test for vaccinated travellers so flying does not become the preserve of the rich.
 
“Despite the short-term impact of Omicron, we remain excited about our plans for next summer which should see us return to 2019 levels of capacity and beyond.”
 
Henry Smith MP, chair of the all-party parliamentary group for the Future of Aviation, said the decision was “a very welcome step forward and removes an unnecessary barrier to travel”, but called for sector-specific support.

He added: “The economic impact of international travel restrictions has been significant and ensuring we have a thriving aviation and travel sector again will be vital to our national economic recovery. The government must put sector specific support in place to allow this to begin without further delay.”

Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic chief executive, said: “The removal of pre-departure testing before travel to the UK and costly PCR testing upon arrival is welcome progress and a necessary step towards frictionless air travel for our customers. 

“Travellers can now book with confidence and look forward to reconnecting with loved ones and business colleagues. Meanwhile customer demand will be boosted in a critical booking window for the travel industry and vital testing capacity can be reallocated where it is needed the most - in hospitals, schools and crucial national infrastructure.”

Weiss thanked the government and said he looked forward to the next review on 26 January, “when the ultimate goal will be removal of all testing for travel and developing a playbook for how to deal with any new variants”.

Balpa general secretary Martin Chalk said: “Anyone who recognises that the restrictions had absolutely no effect on Omicron spread welcomes the removal of pre-departure tests. But aviation will be far from back to normal once this takes effect, with large numbers of flights still being cancelled through winter and public confidence in travel still low.
 
“Our vaccine programme has been hugely successful. UK aviation now needs its own booster to ensure we can safely be fully up to speed to once again carry the flag around the globe."