Airport sees a boom in holiday bookings

MORE WANT A GETAWAY AS RULES ARE RELAXED

MORE holiday-makers are making plans to travel abroad as East Midlands Airport sees a boom in bookings.

With the scrapping of the “amber list” countries and reduced requirement for Covid-19 tests, it has led to more people once again planning a trip abroad.

Companies including Jet2, which operates from East Midlands Airport, said that the latest changes in the travel rules have led to many people booking some autumn sun.

All amber and green countries on the “traffic light” destination lists are now considered safe destinations, and while red countries remain restricted. Several popular destinations including Turkey and Egypt are to be moved off the list.

Meanwhile, expensive PCR tests and pre-departure tests will no longer be necessary for anyone who has been fully vaccinated from October 4.

East Midlands Airport boss Charlie Cornish said: “The simplification of the UK’s international travel system, including doing away with pre-departure tests and switching to lateral flow on arrival, will make it easier and cheaper for people to travel abroad.

“For many months, the recovery of UK aviation has lagged behind the rest of Europe. The changes announced will help to close that gap by encouraging more people to book foreign travel.

“For as long as vaccinated travellers have to pay for tests, the recovery of one of the UK’s major industries will be held back. “The Government must now find a way to give people back the freedom to travel without the barrier of testing.” Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2 said there had been a “massive surge” in bookings since the changes – which affect England and not Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales – were announced, reports LeicestershireLive.

He said the changes came too late for many people’s chances to go abroad but that it was good news for the travel industry that international travel had now “re-opened properly”.

He said: “We have seen demand step up over the last few days and there has been an immediate and massive surge in bookings for flights and package holidays on the back of this welcome news for holidaymakers in England.

“Although it has been a long time coming, we are extremely pleased that the government has finally committed to reopening international travel properly.

“Holidaymakers will be frustrated that these changes come too late for the peak summer holiday period, but we know how delighted they will be that their holidays are no longer subject to a set of restrictions that are completely out of step with other areas of everyday life.

“Having to take a pre-departure test in resort, along with an expensive PCR test after returning to the UK, has unfairly penalised hardworking customers and families for far too long.

“Although the removal of these burdens is welcome news and a step in the right direction, more can still be done.

“The traffic light system has been confusing and completely unfit for purpose since day one. We welcome a new approach which is easy for everyone to understand and provides certainty.”

Another change announced recently was the removal of several countries from the red list, allowing holidays there from Wednesday, September 22.

Turkey, Pakistan, the Maldives, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh and Kenya will all leave the red list on Wednesday at 4am.

It is expected many people will aim to get away during the school half-term holiday next month.

The traffic light system has been confusing and completely unfit for purpose since day one. Steve Heapy