Airlines have reported a surge in interest and bookings after the transport secretary announced arrivals in England from amber list destinations will no longer have to quarantine from July 19.
EasyJet said flight bookings from the UK to amber list destinations for this summer surged 400% compared to last week following Shapps’ announcement.
Holiday bookings increased by 440% compared to the previous week, the firm said, noting Alicante, Malaga, Faro, Nice and Corfu were among the top destinations.
The airline put a further 145,000 seats, and more holidays, on sale between the UK and amber destinations as a result. It is now offering 85 green and amber destinations this summer, with five million seats on sale.
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British Airways reported a 96% increase in the number of views on its website within ‘a couple of hours’ of Shapps’ announcement, compared to the same day last week with Barbados, Palma, Ibiza, New York, Antigua, Malta and Malaga the top destinations.
The airline, which has flights to 43 amber and green list countries, has extended its ‘reassurance measures’ which mean customers travelling until September 30, 2021 to a country moved to the red list from amber while they are at their destination will be able to change their flight without cost.
Chief executive Sean Doyle said Shapps’ announcement was “an important step for Britain as we start to make travel possible again” but warned “There is still more to do, including opening the US.”
Fractional jet provider Flexjet reported a 45% increase in enquiries following Shapps’ announcement. MAnagind director Marine Eugène said: “Quarantine-free travel on return from amber list countries has stimulated significant interest in flying internationally to a range of destinations across Europe for private jet users.”
Private jet firm Air Partner reported a “a surge in enquiries about travel to amber list countries”. Chief executive Mark Briffa said the announcement “will spark further interest and we expect demand to increase significantly for private jet travel to the amber list”.