Airlines higher as UK to relax more travel restrictions in time for half-term

The UK government has announced new rules that will allow travellers to take a cheaper lateral flow test rather than the more expensive PCR tests upon their return to England.

The new rules will come into effect on 24th October, in time for the October half-term holiday in the UK which runs from 25th-29th October.

The changes are only for fully vaccinated passengers arriving from countries not on the government’s red list.

The list of providers of the lateral flow tests will be published on the UK government website and can be booked from 22nd October.

“This is great news and we’re pleased to get it over the line in time for the crucial half-term period, which will be a massive relief to families desperate to get away this autumn,” said Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK registered carriers. “Vaccinated passengers can be reassured that they do not need to book or take an expensive PCR test when they return to the UK, which will further reduce the cost of travel.”

Airlines
IAG (LON:ICAG), EasyJet (LON:EZJ), Ryanair (LON:RYA), and Wizz Air (LON:WIZZ) were all trading higher after the latest easing of restrictions on hopes for a surge of last minute bookings in time for the school holidays.

The latest update follows in the footsteps of last week’s announcement when the government also slashed the number of countries on the red list and removed the complicated traffic light system for international arrivals.

“It adds to the positive news from last week with the substantial reduction of the red list and announcement of further mutual recognition of vaccines, and taken together this is a major step forward that will support the desperately needed recovery of our sector,” Alderslade added.

Airlines higher as UK to relax more travel restrictions in time for half-term