It comes after day 2 PCR tests for returning UK travellers were reintroduced on Tuesday (30 November) and a number of southern African countries were red-listed due to concerns over the new variant. 

Although Balpa voiced support for the government’s "desire to protect the population", it said border restrictions failed to stop previous waves of the virus, so "there is no reason to suggest they will now". 

Balpa general secretary Martin Chalk further welcomed the government’s promise to remove the new restrictions if the variant is no more a threat than the Delta strain.

"The latest changes have shattered the fledgling confidence in air travel including for Christmas and new year bookings," he added.
 
“We call again on government to act with the data and to support a vital UK industry.

"This includes government funding the expensive PCR tests and actually sequencing traveller’s tests so we can have an effective and data driven policy."

Chalk said the aviation industry will need a "winter resilience fund" to support it through the period of restrictions.

"Vital aviation industry skills, including those of pilots, will carry the ambitions of the whole country as we recover. Government must invest in the recovery now," he continued.