The UK’s travel restrictions are seeing its aviation sector fall behind European rivals, according to data released by Gatwick Airport.
Figures from airport body ACI Europe show the UK is “losing its vaccine advantage”, the airport claimed.
The figures suggest bookings across Europe are at around 60% of pre-Covid levels, compared to 30% in the UK.
Gatwick reiterated a call for the UK government to “throw a lifeline to the aviation sector” by removing the requirement for those who are double-vaccinated to also provide negative Covid test results.
It said such a move would reflect the relaxation of rules across much of Europe, with France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Germany among the countries not requiring testing for travellers with proof of full vaccination.
The calls follow the release of data by analysist ForwardKeys which showed the UK’s recovery was lagging rivals’ due to tigher restrictions.
Stewart Wingate, Gatwick chief executive, said: “With vaccination rates across Europe comparable to, if not better, than the UK’s, the time has come for testing to be removed altogether for travellers who have been double jabbed.
“Other countries have done this and their aviation sectors are recovering much faster with bookings in Europe recovering twice as fast as in the UK.”
He added: “Our continued travel restrictions are out of step with much of Europe and continue to have a real impact on jobs and livelihoods, business and growth opportunities while also keeping friends and family apart.
“Passenger confidence in the UK has been shattered and the UK travel industry urgently needs to be thrown a lifeline so that we can start to recover properly from the most difficult period in our history.”
Gatwick proposes that passengers who are not double-jabbed should take a day two lateral flow test when returning from an amber country, with a PCR test to follow a positive result. Those coming from red list countries should still be required to quarantine on arrival in the UK, it said.