'This is a watershed moment for the travel industry'

Mike Tibbert, president of the Scottish Passenger Agents' Association (SPAA), said it was time to get back to "business as usual" and for travellers to take to the skies once again without having to worry about testing, isolation and PLFs, noting how even Grant Shapps himself had previously described the form as "ridiculously complicated".

"Today’s news is the boost both our members and the industry need," he said. “The news this week that the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the International Air Transport Association (Iata) are calling for the patchwork of remaining restrictions in the EU to be lifted also is another piece in completing the jigsaw of freedom of international travel.

“Our members can now look forward to building customer confidence without the restrictions hanging over travellers. Our sector has been damaged more than most by the pandemic, with support for Scottish agents coming very late in the day. We can now look forward to getting holidaymakers back in the sky and business travellers back in business globally.

“Travellers shouldn’t forget that whilst the restrictions for those entering the UK have been removed, there remain various restrictions in countries around the world and these can be complex to navigate. Travel agents are ready to help their clients navigate these and ensure that they can comply with them."

Julia Simpson, president and chief executive of the WTTC, added: “Other countries ditched passenger locator forms weeks ago, but it is good news the UK government has now scrapped all travel restrictions for coming to the UK. If we are to compete on a world stage, we need to be ‘open for business’ and not ask people to fill in lengthy forms."