Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK-registered carriers, said: “Today’s announcement sends a clear message to the world – the UK travel sector is back.
“With travellers returning to the UK no longer burdened by unnecessary forms and testing requirements, we can now look forward to the return to pre-Covid normality throughout the travel experience.
“We’re grateful for the timing of the announcement as we prepare to welcome back passengers this Easter and summer, for which we know there is huge pent-up demand, and for the UK’s leadership in being the first major aviation market to remove all remaining restrictions. The time to return to the skies - to enjoy all that makes aviation and international travel great, for families and businesses - is now.”
Dale Keller, chief executive of Bar UK said, “This is a truly significant milestone and passengers and airlines will be delighted that the PLF is banished now that international travel into the UK will be harmonised with the domestic reopening.
"We applaud this pragmatic decision by ministers to restore freedom of international travel by removing all remaining Covid related border measures as evidence became overwhelming that border measures were largely ineffective in reducing the transmission of Covid.
"We urge the UK government to quickly capitalise on the strategic importance of aviation to the whole of society and the UK economy by fully supporting the sector as it invests in rebuilding the country’s vital global connectivity in challenging times.”
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “The removal of all remaining UK travel restrictions, including the passenger locator form, is the final important step towards frictionless air travel, helping to further restore consumer confidence as we welcome more customers back to the skies this spring and summer.
“With these barriers to travel removed, Britain is open for business and passengers can reconnect with loved ones and business colleagues once again. To uphold the experience of all travellers, it’s vital that the UK government works closely with industry to ensure the UK border is ready for increasing passengers, as international travel ramps up.”
Johan Lundgren, easyJet chief executive, added: “This welcome move by the UK government marks a return to truly restriction-free flying to and from the UK, giving an extra boost to travel this Easter.”
