The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Gatwick CEO calls for PCR tests to be scrapped for vaccinated travellers
The airline chief said that passenger confidence in the UK had been ‘shattered’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The CEO of Gatwick Airport has called for the testing of fully vaccinated travellers returning to the UK to be scrapped, calling existing travel restrictions “out of step”.
Stewart Wingate cited new figures released from Airports Council International (ACI) Europe which reveal that travel bookings in the UK are around 30 per cent of pre-Covid levels, compared with around 60 per cent in Europe.
“With vaccination rates across Europe comparable, if not better than the UK's, the time has come for testing to be removed altogether for travellers who have been double jabbed,” he said in a statement.
“Other countries have done this and their aviation sectors are recovering much faster with bookings in Europe recovering twice as fast as in the UK.
“Our continued travel restrictions are out of step with much of Europe and continue to have a real impact on jobs and livelihoods, business and growth opportunities while also keeping friends and family apart.”
The boss of the UK’s second largest airport added that passenger confidence in the UK had been “shattered” and that the travel industry desperately needed a lifeline “so that we can start to recover properly from the most difficult period in our history.”
At present, passengers flying into the UK from a green-list country must provide proof of a negative Covid test within two days of arrival, even if they have been double jabbed.
Those arriving from amber countries who have not been vaccinated must pay for tests on days two and eight, in addition to self-isolating for 10 days upon entry to the UK.
Wingate’s comments come just days after Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary described the UK’s Covid travel restrictions as “mindless stupidity”.
Speaking to The Independent, he said: “The traffic light system needs to be scrapped.
“You need to have a very simple system: if you’re double vaccinated, no restrictions. If you’re not double vaccinated, get a PCR test.”
“This monstrously stupid system, that requires passengers from Europe to be double vaccinated and get a PCR test, doesn’t help deal with the Covid problem.
“We need to get on with a return to normality.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport (DfT) told The Independent: “Decisions on red, amber or green list assignment and associated border measures are taken by ministers, who take into account the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s public health risk assessments, alongside wider public health factors.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments