Industry sources are confident the limited green list for travel will expand by late June, but are sceptical that reopenings around Europe will be harmonised despite EU efforts to coordinate the restart.
Spain lifted restrictions on UK travellers from Monday and tourism minister Fernando Valdes forecast “Spain is going to change its [amber] notification” at the next UK government review. Yet Germany declared the UK a “virus variant region” and imposed quarantine restrictions at the weekend and Austria announced a ban on UK flights from June 1.
A senior airline source said: “A wider reopening is inevitable. Things are moving in Europe despite the setbacks. But it’s incredible that Spain took one approach and Germany another on the same day. Even after a year there is no political alignment.”
The EU moved a step closer to signing off on a Digital Covid Certificate, which should allow vaccinated travellers unrestricted entry, and signalled the UK would be on a ‘white list’ of non-EU countries allowed to participate so long as the move is reciprocated.
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The certificate has still to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and Council but should come into force on July 1 with a six‑week phasing-in period.
However, EU states could still impose restrictions if “necessary to safeguard public health”.
The airline source dismissed prospects of a coordinated reopening around Europe, saying: “It’s one thing to declare a harmonised approach. What happens in practice is another.
“We still see a state-by-state approach. It remains to be seen how much will be harmonised.”
However, the source insisted: “Provided the UK domestic reopening remains on track, travel’s reopening should remain on track.
“We expect an announcement [on expanding the green list] a week before implementation on June 28.”
A second aviation source agreed, saying: “We don’t envy the EC trying to herd these cats. Member states are going to do what they do on the basis of public opinion and economic priorities.
“We’re pushing for June 28. We hope to be in a much more comfortable position and for a big expansion come June 28.”
But the source added: “On past form, we’re not banking on it.”
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