Airline operators have said the return of pre-departure coronavirus tests for all international arrivals to the UK will be a “devastating blow for aviation and tourism”.
The rule is being introduced to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant and applies to all travellers over the age of 12 visiting the UK or returning from a holiday, regardless of vaccination status. It will come into force from 4am on Tuesday 7 December.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the measure is due to an “increasing number of cases linked to travel”. Tests must be taken a maximum of 48 hours before the departure time.
Everything you need to know as COVID travel rules change again
Chairman and CEO of British Airways Sean Doyle described the move as a “devastating blow”.
He said: “The blanket re-introduction of testing to enter the UK, on top of the current regime of isolation and PCR testing on arrival is completely out of step with the rest of the world, with every other country taking a measured approach based on the science.
“Our customers will now be faced with uncertainty and chaos and yet again this a devastating blow for everyone who works in the travel industry.”
The Airport Operators Association echoed Mr Doyle’s words, saying that pre-departure tests will be a “devastating blow for aviation and tourism”.
CEO of Airlines UK Tim Alderslade said the rapid changes to UK entry requirements have made it “impossible” for the travel industry to plan ahead.
He said: “It is premature to hit millions of passengers and industry before we see the full data.
“We don’t have the clinical evidence. The red list extension made complete sense – that’s what it’s there for – but we know from…