Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday morning (15 December), the airport’s chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “If they’ve taken away the red list then they’re accepting that the Omicron strain is now endemic in the UK.
"So why not take away the testing they only introduced as a temporary measure? There is no need to extend beyond today now that the red list has gone. Why are we waiting until January before that will be reviewed?"
Holland-Kaye added: “Up until a few weeks ago, if you had been double vaccinated, you didn’t need to take any tests when you came into the UK, and that’s because we relied on the Covid vaccination.
"So I assume that what he’s meaning [transport secretary Grant Shapps] is that in future, you’ll need three jabs rather than two jabs to be able to travel without any form of testing.
“Now, for people who don’t have the three jabs, I imagine they will still need to do some testing when they come into the UK, but the vast majority of travellers will have been fully vaccinated and will be able to travel as normal, and that’s what we need to get back to.
"We can’t close down the economy every time there is a variant of concern.”
Holland-Kaye admitted there had been a strain on the airport’s testing facilities when new requirements had come into force, and said there was still uncertainty around travel.
“Many people are worried about their own Christmases and whether they will be able to get away on their journey, to visit loved ones, just because of the uncertainty it [testing] has introduced," he continued. "The government can solve that uncertainty and let Brits get their Christmas back.
“By all means, let’s have some measures temporarily, but let’s lift them as soon as we can; either because we found the new variant is endemic, or because we’ve found it is less of a concern than it used to be.”
He added business travellers in particular were afraid of being stuck in another country if restrictions were imposed. “That’s holding back the economy," said Holland-Kaye.
