UK behind Europe in getting flights going

Tight Covid restrictions mean UK flights are still stuck at one third of their pre-pandemic levels

Britain is lagging severely behind the rest of Europe when it comes to reopening international travel, raising fears that the country is missing out on a significant part of the economic rebound despite its early lead in vaccinations. International flight levels are at around a third of 2019 levels. By contrast, eurozone flights are back to half of their pre-covid numbers. Once domestic flights are included, the UK is still down by around half, according to Eurocontrol data.

BRITAIN is lagging severely behind the rest of Europe when it comes to reopening international travel, raising fears that the country is missing out on a significant part of the economic rebound despite its early lead in vaccines.

International flight levels are running at around one third of their 2019 levels, according to analysis from Jefferies. By contrast eurozone flights are back to half of their pre-covid numbers.

Once domestic flights are included the UK is still down by around half while France and Italy are within onethird of their old flight numbers, according to Eurocontrol data.

Travellers flying into Britain need to carry out Covid tests before and after arrival from green and orange list countries, even if they are fully vaccinated. EU nations, by contrast, typically are happy for vaccinated visitors to arrive without tests.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of travel industry group Abta, said thousands of jobs are at risk if the rules are not loosened before furlough finishes at the end of next month.

The UK was much slower than other countries at opening up international travel and, when it did, travellers faced significant restrictions for much of the summer. This is in stark contrast to our neighbours in the EU whose citizens have, for quite some time, been able to travel without restriction if they have been double vaccinated.

“The Government’s delay in capitalising on the successful vaccine rollouts both at home and in many of our most popular overseas holiday destinations has meant travel companies have had a very short window to trade.

“The ongoing restrictions mean there are still barriers to travel for some people – particularly the cost of testing,” he said, calling for more countries to be added to the green list.

“200,000 jobs have already been lost or are at risk in the outbound sector, and many more are in danger as the furlough scheme winds down. The many businesses which deliver outbound travel – tour operators and travel agents as their suppliers – are in desperate need of targeted financial support which [they are] yet to receive from the Government.”

The issue also affects regional economies as cities struggle without the international tourists and business travellers they used to attract.

For much of July London only received 2pc of its usual level of foreign visitors, according to an analysis of mobile phone data by the Centre for Cities, rising to 6pc after England’s “freedom day” at the end of the month.

York and Edinburgh’s foreign visitor numbers rose from just under one tenth of their normal level to around one quarter over the same time period, indicating that the tourism sector might be beginning to recover.

Industry bosses are increasingly frustrated at the UK’S tougher restrictions for travellers, with only a handful of

‘For much of July London received 2pc of its usual level of foreign visitors, mobile phone data analysis shows’

European countries on the “green list”.

Charlie Cornish, chief executive of the Manchester Airports Group, called for an “overhaul” of the traffic light system last week, warning that recent changes will make “little difference” to the industry’s recovery.

“Europe’s stronger recovery has been driven by the removal of testing requirements on vaccinated travellers,” Mr Cornish said.

A Government spokesman said: “Our international travel policy is guided by one overwhelming priority – protecting public health. Decisions on our trafficlight system are kept under regular review and are informed by the latest risk assessment from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and wider public health factors.

“The Government has provided over £25bn in support to the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors over the course of the pandemic, and continue to support the travel, leisure and tourism sectors with a range of measures including restart grants, a reduced VAT rate and the extended furlough scheme.”