More than 100 British holidaymakers were refused entry to Austria after being caught out by a change in Covid regulations.
Elsewhere, flights continue to be cancelled around the world as airlines struggle with high number of crew having to self-isolate.
But there are hopes the UK is now over the “worst” of the pandemic, despite record infection rates over the Christmas holidays.
Here are the headlines that travel woke up to on Wednesday (29 December):
UK air travel sees huge slump in 2021 due to Covid
The pandemic caused the number of international flights to and from the UK to drop by 71% in 2021, compared with 2019, according to new industry figures. There were only 406,000 international flights in and out of the UK this year – down from 1.4 million two years ago. (BBC News)
British tourists refused entry to Austria after coronavirus rules website mix-up
More than 100 UK tourists were denied entry to Austria after new Covid rules were not updated online before they left the UK. The holidaymakers flew into Innsbruck on Sunday (26 December) for ski trips, only to find that they needed a negative PCR test within 48 hours, rather than 72 hours, of arrival. (Sky News)
Travel and tourism companies struggling to find staff
One in eight jobs in travel and tourism in the UK are set to be left unfilled at the start of 2022, according to figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council. WTTC estimated that 205,000 jobs in the sector were currently not filled, representing around 12% of the entire workforce. (The Times)
Thousands of flights cancelled due to Omicron self-isolation
More than 8,000 flights have been cancelled since Christmas Eve, as the Omicron variant has forced more airline crew into self-isolation. Carriers in the US and China saw the highest number of cancelled services, with British Airways having to axe the most flights in the UK over recent days. (The i)
New year, new hope
The “worst” of the Covid-19 pandemic may be over, according to experts, despite record numbers of infections over the Christmas holiday period, fuelled by the Omicron variant. There are growing hopes the NHS will not be overwhelmed by new Covid patients in early 2022, while the public is being urged to behave with “caution” during New Year celebrations. (The Mirror)
Indonesia allows Boeing 737 Max to fly again after deadly crash
Transport authorities in Indonesia have finally lifted its ban on the use of the Boeing 737 Max – three years after one of the aircraft operated by local carrier Lion Air crashed, killing all 189 people on board. This accident was one of two fatal crashes that led to the worldwide grounding of the 737 Max. (Reuters)
