The festive period ban on UK arrivals and departures from a growing number of countries seeking to combat a faster spreading variant of Covid-19 could cost at least £400 million.
The “conservative” estimate covers lost bookings, refunds and crisis costs involved in dealing with the situation affecting an estimated 250,000 outbound and inbound travellers until January 1.
The projection by travel PR firm The PC Agency came as Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland, Romania, Israel, Turkey, Hong Kong and Kuwait joined many European nations in moving to isolate the UK amid the latest coronavirus crisis.
France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Ireland were among 11 European countries to close their borders to flights and most freight lorries, trains and ferries from the UK from midnight on Sunday night for at least 48 hours.
While Portugal has not banned flights from the UK, travel has been restricted to Portuguese citizens or those resident in the country.
But the travel restrictions could be extended to the entire bloc with the EU holding an emergency meeting on this morning (Monday) to discuss a blanket ban.
Prime minister Boris Johnson will chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee after France closed its border with the UK.
This came as the port of Dover was shut and Channel Tunnel services suspended last night.
The Kent port said: “Due to border restrictions in France, access to the ferry terminal at the port of Dover remains suspended to all accompanied traffic leaving the UK until further notice.”
Eurostar will not run trains from London to Paris, Brussels, Lille or Amsterdam on Monday and Tuesday and from Amsterdam, Brussels and Lille to the UK capital. Trains will continue to operate from Paris to London.
“The plan is to resume all our train services to and from the UK on Wednesday,” the company said. “We await further details from the relevant governments on how travel restrictions will be enforced and will continue to update our website as further information becomes available.”
Eurotunnel services from the UK have also been suspended through the Channel Tunnel.
The PC Agency chief executive Paul Charles tweeted: “The consequence of bans on UK transport are immense – cargo backlog leading to Xmas goods/gifts not arriving; thousands of people stuck overseas; aircraft grounded; and just days before possible Brexit. These are challenging times for airlines and operators.”
The Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said also tweeted: “For months, a crippled travel industry has been calling for sector-specific support. The minute Brits are barred, a Cobra meeting is called.”
An Abta spokesperson said: “The latest restrictions on UK travellers entering some foreign countries shows the ongoing uncertainty around travel and the extremely difficult operating environment for UK travel businesses.
“Not only do the latest developments affect people’s ability to travel but also consumer confidence to plan and book future holidays.
“The government must step in and provide tailored support for the travel sector – in recognition of the number of jobs at risk and the important role the UK travel industry will play in supporting the UK’s wider economic recovery.
“The Scottish government has already pledged tailored support for the travel industry, the UK government and other devolved nations must follow suit without delay.
“We are writing to the prime minister today to raise this as a matter of urgency.”
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), which represents train managers and customer service advisors on the high-speed Eurostar passenger service, said: “Our union has been warning for months that Eurostar is in a fight for its survival and the latest developments only confirm our worst fears.
“Eurostar has been clear with ministers that they were already facing a cliff edge. There’s not a moment to lose. Boris Johnson should make it clear right now that Eurostar will be given the help it needs to get through this Covid crisis.
“Our members have been at the forefront of this pandemic, making sure trains run smoothly and safely for passengers. What they need now is assurances their jobs are safe, and Eurostar has a strong future.
“The travelling public will demand the same because Eurostar simply can’t be allowed to fail.”
Heathrow said: “If you are in a tier 4 area you should not be travelling unless it is legally permitted to do so. If you’re in tiers 1-3 you can still fly from Heathrow but should carefully consider whether you need to.
“If the country you are visiting has issued a travel ban for passengers from the UK, please contact your airline who can provide the latest information and advice regarding your flight. Please ensure you do this prior to coming to the airport.”
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland, referring to travel bans after the new mutant strain of the virus triggered tier 4 lockdown across London and much of south-east England, said: “The latest restrictions are going to reignite the issue of airlines continuing to operate flights but failing to refund customers who are unable to travel abroad.
“The terms set down by the CMA [Competition and Markets Authority] are clear: it expects customers to be given the option of a refund when they can’t travel because of lockdown laws.
“While a few airlines continue to do the right thing by customers, despite facing financial difficulty, others continue to break the rules, and should face strong action from the regulator as a result.
“If you are unable to fly and have not been offered a refund, email your airline saying that you expect one and complain to the CMA. Then, if you are forced into a voucher, you may still be able to claim your money back at a later date.”
The Civil Aviation Authority, in updated consumer advice, said: “If you are no longer able to travel due to national restrictions on movement in the UK, you should contact your airline in the first instance to discuss your options.
“As travel will still be allowed for certain permitted reasons, it is likely that a refund will depend on the individual consumer’s circumstances, and the airline will likely consider this on a case-by-case basis.
“If your flight is operating and you are unable to travel due to lockdown measures, you may still be entitled to a refund.
“The CMA has published its views on the law in relation to cancellations and refunds during the pandemic. Click here for more information from the CMA.
“The Civil Aviation Authority will continue to monitor the refund policies and performance of airlines during the coronavirus pandemic.”