Many outlets cover Wednesday’s announcements on pre-departure and Day 2 testing, and highlight early indications the move may already be driving a recovery in new bookings.

Elsewhere, there are signs the government is preparing to head off huge rises in energy bills that will affect consumers’ spending power in the spring amid rising dissent about increases to National Insurance contributions.

Here are the key headlines travel should be aware of on Thursday 6 January.

Holiday bookings bonanza expected as tests scrapped

Travel firms prepared for a surge in demand for winter sun and ski holidays as Boris Johnson scrapped PCR and pre-departure tests in a move that will save families hundreds of pounds. Fully vaccinated holidaymakers will only have to fork out between £20 and £30 for lateral flow tests on their return to Britain. (The Telegraph)

‘Ghost flights’ used to maintain slots

An airline has reportedly flown 3,000 empty flights this winter, in an environmentally damaging effort to keep its landing slots. Brussels Airlines says it will have to operate a further 3,000 under-capacity journeys up to the end of March – while its parent company Lufthansa will fly 15,000 more. The carriers are reacting to ‘use it or lose it’ rules. (Metro)

Help for soaring energy bills to be announced

The government has accepted it must head off the threat of a 50% rise in energy bills. An announcement is expected on or before 7 February, the date energy watchdog Ofgem will announce the increase in the price cap from April to September. If nothing is done, average household bills are expected to increase by around £600 a year, from £1,277 to annual bills in excess of £1,877. (Sky News)

Johnson pressed to scrap £12 billion tax rise

Boris Johnson faces calls from ministers to shelve a planned 1.25 percentage point rise in National Insurance paid by employers and employees. The increase, due in April, is being challenged by ministers headed by Jacob Rees-Mogg, who are uneasy about raising taxes at a time of soaring energy costs and rising inflation. (Financial Times)

UK ‘to vaccinate 5-11s’, expert says

The UK’s roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations is likely to be extended to all children aged five to 11, a leading expert in child health has said. Russell Viner, professor of child and adolescent health at University College London, said he believed the “balance of risks” pointed towards vaccinating children in the age group to avoid disrupting their education. (The i)