There is at least some relief for travel companies, with oil prices falling sharply after the United Arab Emirates – a major producer – said it would back a move to increase supply.

And there is better news for travel following reports that health secretary Sajid Javid has been persuaded to support the scrapping of Passenger Locator Forms (PLFs) before Easter.

Gatwick’s boss, meanwhile, has expressed confidence about a “strong” summer holiday season.

Here are the headlines that travel woke up to on Thursday (10 March).

Russian invasion and soaring fuel prices shake airline industry

The aviation industry is facing another major crisis with the war in Ukraine coming at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic is still far from over. Airline share prices have tumbled in recent days as investors have deserted the sector. (Financial Times)

Javid to back scrapping of Passenger Locator Forms for England

Health secretary Sajid Javid is expected to back the scrapping of Passenger Locator Forms (PLFs) for all international arrivals in England before the Easter holidays next month. Javid has been put under pressure to support the move by transport secretary Grant Shapps. (The Guardian)

Oil prices plunge as UAE supports supply boost

Oil prices have fallen sharply after key supplier United Arab Emirates said it supported increasing production. The price of Brent crude fell by more than 17% at one point on Thursday (10 March) after the statement by the UAE, which follows weeks of rapidly increasing prices. (BBC News)

We’ll take off again this summer, says Gatwick boss

Gatwick is set to return to 85% of full capacity this summer, according to chief executive Stewart Wingate, as demand for travel returns after the pandemic. The Sussex airport is due to finally reopen its South Terminal later this month. (The Times)

Putin bombs baby hospital in new outrage

World leaders have condemned an attack by Russian military jets on a maternity and baby hospital in the besieged city of Mariupol in southern Ukraine on Wednesday (10 March) as the war entered its third week. (Various)

Johnson refuses extra financial support for households

Prime minister Boris Johnson has rejected calls to provide more support to households struggling to pay skyrocketing energy bills. Labour leader Keir Starmer warned that energy costs were set to rise by another £1,000 this autumn due to the war in Ukraine. (The Independent)