The trade bodies representing the UK's airlines and travel agents have called on the government to urgently revise its approach to foreign travel advice in order to open up international travel.
The call comes ahead of the new Test to Release scheme starting on 15 December, which will allow for reduced quarantine periods for international passengers entering the UK subject to a negative Covid test five days after arrival.
Airlines UK and ABTA believe the number of people travelling overseas is unlikely to significantly increase because the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to the vast majority of countries which invalidates travel insurance.
The associations want the advice changed to allow for travel to countries where infection rates are comparable to or lower than the UK and have developed public health responses to the pandemic.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: “The government has taken welcome steps over the past couple of weeks to open up international aviation, but airlines will only be able to fully take advantage of the Test to Release scheme - and realise the demand for travel that we know exists - if the travel advice is looked at in parallel.
“This is not about sending people to dangerous places - nobody wants that and the Foreign Office is absolutely right to rule this out. But there are countries on the banned list that we think could be opened up on either a national or regional basis. Reviewing travel advice will give our beleaguered industry its own much needed ‘shot in the arm’ this winter.”
Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s chief executive, said: “The Foreign Office travel advice should be reviewed urgently so that advice against non-essential travel in relation to Covid-19 is restricted to destinations where it is clear that the risk to travellers is unacceptably high, based on clear and transparent criteria.
“The travel industry was among the first to be affected by the pandemic and it will be the last to recover. Tens of thousands of jobs have already been lost and viable companies have gone out of business. It is important the government supports the industry and takes the necessary steps to open up international travel. The UK’s economic recovery will be dependent on having good global connectivity – a strong travel industry is critical to that.”