Prime minister Boris Johnson is meanwhile set to announce the end to England’s final Covid-19 restrictions, including the requirement to self-isolate for people catching the virus. There’s also more disruption to travel services as the UK is lashed by the third major storm in a week, Storm Franklin.

Elsewhere, diplomatic efforts continue to try to prevent a Russian invasion of Ukraine with more European airlines deciding to cancel flights to the country as the crisis goes on.

Here are the headlines the travel industry woke up to on Monday (21 February).

Australia’s border reopens to international travellers

Australia has reopened its international border to fully vaccinated travellers for the first time in nearly two years in a huge boost to the country’s tourism industry. The Australian government had imposed some of the world’s strictest travel bans since March 2020 due to the pandemic. (Various)

Shapps in push to axe tourist forms in time for Easter holidays

Transport secretary Grant Shapps is “pushing” for passenger locator forms (PLFs) to be scrapped by April to make it easier for families to go on an overseas holiday at Easter. Shapps has already promised that the current forms will be simplified in the coming weeks. (The Daily Mail)

Storm Franklin: Thousands evacuated amid flooding in parts of UK 

Another major storm has caused flooding and disruption across north-west England and Northern Ireland. Train operators urged customers to “avoid travel if possible” on Monday (21 February) as services in some parts of the country are expected to be cancelled due to gale-force winds and heavy rain. (The Telegraph)

PM’s ‘pride’ as all restrictions lifted

Boris Johnson is expected to announce the end to all remaining Covid-19 restrictions in England on Monday (21 February), including the legal requirement to self-isolate. The prime minister will hail a “moment of pride” for the country as the government steps up its strategy of learning to “live with Covid”. (The Times)

Last-ditch talks as fears of Ukraine war intensify

Frantic diplomatic efforts are continuing to try to avoid a Russian invasion of Ukraine. French president Emmanuel Macron said that Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin remained open to dialogue following a call between the two politicians, while the US warned that an invasion of Ukraine was imminent. (The Guardian)

Lufthansa and Swiss Air to suspend flights to Ukraine’s capital

Sister airlines Lufthansa and Swiss Air will suspend flights to the Ukrainian capital Kiev from Monday (21 February), amid growing fears of a Russian invasion. The German airline will also stop flights to Odessa, a key port on the Black Sea. The move follows KLM’s decision last week to suspend flights to Ukraine. (BBC News)