The leaders of the world’s most developed countries, including US president Joe Biden, are set to meet next week in Cornwall when UK prime minister Boris Johnson will play host.

Iata director general Willie Walsh said policies on restarting global travel should be “driven” by data as the best way to reduce the ongoing risks from the Covid-19 pandemic and remove the need for quarantine regimes.

“We call on the G7 governments to agree on the use of data to safely plan and co-ordinate the return of the freedom to travel which is so important to people, livelihoods and businesses,” said Walsh.

He added that continuing to require “universal” quarantine for all travellers “impedes the freedom of movement, discourages international travel and destroys employment in the travel and tourism sector”.

“Data from the UK tells us that we can and must do better - almost 98% of those detained because of universal quarantine measures tested negative for the virus,” stressed Walsh.

“We now have more than a year of global data that can help governments make more targeted decisions on international travel.

“This can keep the risk of importing Covid-19 cases low - including variants of concern - while restarting international travel with minimal infringement on the ability to live normal work and social lives. Importantly, lives that include travel.”