By Ron Howells • Published: 28 May 2021 • 11:00
Image: Pixabay
TUI, Jet2, and easyJet press the UK government to ‘Expand the green list’.
Airlines TUI, Jet2, and easyJet are pressing the UK government to ‘Expand the green list’, and travel bosses have now demanded the government expand the green list of destinations at its next review, warning the industry “can’t go through another ruined summer.”
This comes as Spain defended its decision to open up to British tourists despite France and Germany unveiling tougher rules.
Bosses of easyJet, Jet2, TUI, Loganair and Manchester Airports Group (MAG) joined forces to denounce the government’s caution after writing to the prime minister yesterday, reported The Express.
easyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “All the data supports the fact that much of Europe could be opened up to safe travel. It is counterintuitive, given the success of the vaccination programme, that the UK has the most restrictive system.”
He warned: “The UK is falling behind. Spain has opened up for travel with no restrictions. The UK proposes expensive testing even on green list countries. We’re saying “Expand the green list, get rid of this confusion over amber and make good on the promise to drive down the cost of testing.”
The chief executive of Jet2 and Jet2Holidays, Steve Heapy, agreed saying: “If you look at the data for a large number of countries they could be on the green list.
“The government is being over cautious and the green list could be increased with very little risk [given] 60 per cent of the UK population have had one dose of vaccine and 35 per cent two doses.”
He argued: “The government also needs to look at the people who have had the vaccine. At the moment there is no benefit from that. The government approach is ultra-cautious [and] we are being left behind.”
The Euro Weekly News is running a campaign to help reunite Brits in Spain with their family and friends by capping the costs of PCR tests for travel. Please help us urge the government to cap costs at https://euroweeklynews.com/2021/04/16/ewn-champions-the-rights-of-brits-in-spain-to-see-loved-ones-again/
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Ron actually started his working career as an Ophthalmic Technician- things changed when, during a band rehearsal, his amplifier blew up and he couldn’t get it fixed so he took a course at Birmingham University and ended up doing a degree course. He built up a chain of electronics stores and sold them as a franchise over 35 years ago. After five years touring the world Ron decided to move to Spain with his wife and son, a place they had visited over the years, and only bought the villa they live in because it has a guitar-shaped swimming pool!. Playing the guitar since the age of 7, he can often be seen, (and heard!) at beach bars and clubs along the length of the coast. He has always been interested in the news and constantly thrives to present his articles in an interesting and engaging way.
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