The UK government has talked so much about the Delta variant, it’s “hardly surprising” that other destinations are now tightening entry requirements on British travellers, according to the boss of Jet2holidays.
Speaking from its new base at Bristol airport, from where two flights departed on Friday for Majorca and Menorca, Steve Heapy said: “Our government have gone on endlessly about the Delta variant so much, it’s no wonder that other governments have got it into their heads and have now got the fear. We have talked other governments into tightening the restrictions on us.”
He said most holiday destinations “hadn’t gone as far as Merkel and Macron were asking”, but that there were now more measures in place that might prevent British people from wanting to travel.
Heapy criticised the government for constantly quoting statistics related to infections, rather than those of hospitalisations and death, which he said were more relevant indicators of risk.
Asked if he felt confident he would be able to open up more of his programme this summer, Heapy replied: “I am feeling confident it will happen, but less confident it will happen in July.
“There seems to be a new approach in government, with Javid replacing Hancock as health secretary, which is showing a greater willingness to get the country moving, but I still think the government is going to be cautious.
“I have everything crossed for July but I have a feeling they will keep international travel back a bit longer.”
That said, Heapy said Jet2.com and Jet2Holidays were ready to restart operations to current amber list destinations from July 19. The operator deferred its restart from July 15 to July 19 on Thursday.
Heapy said: “Boris has indicated that the country will open up fully on July 19. It’s just whether the opening up of international travel is on the same track as the domestic unlocking, and I think they [the government] will still want some gap between them.”
But he said that position would become increasingly untenable the more the cabinet added to the growing list of those now exempt from quarantine rules.
“It’s hugely unfair. If you’re a Uefa official, the boss of a multinational business, or a football fan or tennis fan spending hundreds to get to the Euros or Wimbledon final, then it’s fine. But if you’re a hard-working family wanting a holiday, it’s not.
“These exemptions are all geared towards rich people. It’s hugely unfair and I think it’s wrong,” he said.