An online petition urging the government to provide free PCR tests for travel has been backed by more than 200,000 people.
The change.org petition urges aviation workers and people planning a family holiday abroad this year without having to pay for Covid testing to sign up.
Started by Neill Farkhondeh, it warns that the average costs for testing per trip is £236 with a family of four typically paying almost £1,000 in order to take a trip abroad.
The petition adds: “At the same time domestic holidays in the UK have seen a sharp price increase due to demand, meaning holidays at home or abroad are extortionately expensive.
“To boost the aviation and travel sector, the government should offer free or heavily discounted PCR tests so that anyone can travel abroad for a fair price.”
It warns that recovery of the travel sector is anticipated to be “very slow” with many people unable to afford the additional costs despite being allowed to travel overseas.
“Not only does this mean not being able to travel abroad for many, it means more redundancies and pay cuts for airline and airport staff,” the petition points out.
“The government should intervene now and give this sector the support it needs to help save jobs and give people a chance to travel.”
The petition follows extensive travel industry lobbying against the need for PCR tests for double jabbed travellers.
Industry bodies are increasing pressure on the government to cut Covid-testing requirements.
A Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) review of test providers should add to the pressure to cut testing costs after health secretary Sajid Javid promised a crackdown on “cowboy companies”.