British Airways was due to operate 70 flights today, the first since the lifting of restrictions on foreign travel. BA’s 07.10 departure from Heathrow to Gibraltar was among the first flights of the day to green list countries. 

BA said it would operate a flight to Lisbon, three to Faro and one to Funchal, but had suspended services to Tel Aviv. It said it would normally operate “hundreds” of departures on a similar day.

Sean Doyle, British Airways chairman and chief executive, said: “Today, the first day of a return to international travel, is a special day for many people, because for so long now families have been separated, business has suffered and we know that our customers haven’t been able to take the breaks abroad that they’ve wanted.

"After more than a year of limited flying, we’re pleased to be back in the skies – albeit with a very small number of flights.”  
 
Covid has led BA to trial travel apps to upload documentation and provide a virtual queuing system, as well as the introduction of pre-flight food ordering for economy passengers and delivery of food and drink in lounges to seats by QR code.

EasyJet saw the first of its green list departures off from Luton to Faro at just before 9am. During May easyJet will operate 186 flights to green list countries. 

The airline claims to operate more seats to European green list destinations “than any other UK operator”, with more than 1.6 million.

“EasyJet and easyJet holidays saw UK bookings surge within hours of the UK government announcement revealing the initial green list, and the airline has added more than 105,000 additional seats on sale across existing green routes from the UK,” it said.

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren added: “We know the pent-up demand is there – we see it every time that restrictions are eased and so to cater for it we have put an extra 100,000 seats on sale from the UK to green list destinations to help our customers take to the skies once again.”
 

Tim Alderslade, Airlines UK chief executive, said: “It’s fantastic to finally see pictures of holidaymakers on flights, as well as people able to meet up with friends and loved ones abroad after so long. However, the green list remains tiny and to make a real difference must be extended at the next review point to include the most popular European destinations and the United States. 
 
“The vaccine roll-out has been an extraordinary success and we need to take advantage by removing the need for further restrictions if passengers have been fully vaccinated. Of course, where variants of concern are an issue then the country in question goes on the red list and we stop travel. That is proportionate and risk-based and something we fully support.”

‘Slow and steady’

Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “It’s going to be a slow, steady start but we expect more destinations will be added to the green list as soon as it is safe to do so and as people feel increasingly confident and excited about planning a trip this summer.

“Passengers planning their journey can still expect the same level of enjoyment at the airport with bars, restaurants and shops open.

"Passengers should however make sure they have all the right test or vaccination paperwork required for their destination, check that their passport is valid and that they fully understand what is expected at the UK border when they arrive back.”