Article from BTNews 7 FEBRUARY 2022
Air travel booms
Airlines and travel operators are experiencing a mini surge of bookings after the Government’s decision to abandon testing for fully vaccinated travellers typified by this week’s ON THE SOAPBOX where easyJet’s CEO says he sees many reasons for optimism.
Jet2, Tui, and Thomas Cook have all reported a rush of customer bookings, with flights during the February half-term and Easter holidays in particularly high demand.
Last Monday (31 January) Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, said fully vaccinated travellers arriving in England or Scotland would no longer have to take Covid tests upon their return. He himself has been tested positive for Covid and is self-isolating.
“With these changes, we have one of the most open travel sectors in the world ... everyone should now feel confident about booking holidays”, he said.
The changes come in at 04:00 on 11 February. The rules for unvaccinated travellers have been eased, although they still require pre-departure and day two tests.
Steve Heapy, the Chief Executive of Jet2, said the decision has had an immediate impact. “Before yesterday’s announcement demand was already strong, however, bookings have jumped by another 30% when compared with the previous week, demonstrating just how much of a game-changer the removal of all testing is for fully vaccinated holidaymakers”.
“With international travel starting to look like it did before the pandemic, customers are jumping at the chance to book their flights and holidays”.
Andrew Flintham, the Managing Director of Tui Britain, added: “The latest travel announcement is a huge leap forwards in getting travel back to normal. The relaxation of testing rules has already resulted in an increase in bookings, with customer confidence growing every day in recent weeks”.
Skyscanner, the flight comparison website, said that holidaymakers were becoming more adventurous in their destination choices. It reported that bookings for the Maldives and Mexico were up 125% and 110% respectively on 2019. Costa Rica, Colombia and Tanzania were also experiencing above average growth in demand, it added.
A survey commissioned by the company found that 44% of Britons planned to go abroad this year and of those travelling, 41% intended to visit a new destination.
Gemma Jamieson, of Skyscanner, said that travel prices were still cheaper than normal, with return flights to Spain selling for £21 and Turkey from £152. “This news, coupled with the hypercompetitive prices available, means international travel is ready to take off”.
BA reports heavy bookings to LA, not a holiday destination this time of the year, and together with partner American Airlines is now up to six daily each way.
See also AA and BA to JFK in this week's BTN.
www.jet2.com www.tui.co.uk
www.skyscanner.net
www.thomascook.com
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