Changes to Covid restrictions 'may not be enough to boost the travel industry' say airport bosses

Passengers at Stansted Airport, Essex, as new quarantine rules for travellers arriving in the UK are to be set out by Home Secretary Priti Patel. The plans, due to come into force on June 8, will see people arriving in the UK told to isolate for 14 days to prevent coronavirus cases being introduced from overseas.
From Monday, fully vaccinated travellers from amber-list countries will not have to isolate when arriving in the UK Credit: ITV Anglia

Airport chiefs in the region have said the changes to covid restrictions for air passengers may not be enough to boost the travel industry.

Yesterday the Government announced  that EU and American travellers won't need to quarantine if they're fully vaccinated.

It was hoped the move would see more people heading to the UK, but bosses at Luton and Stansted airports said they are still expecting the recovery to be slow.

This weekend will be the busiest Stansted has been in two years with 1,300 flights departing. That's double the amount than the same weekend last year but still 800 fewer than in 2019. 

Stansted Airport looking deserted last year Credit: ITV Anglia

The increase in passengers also comes with an unprecedented increase in paperwork.

Travellers have to prove at check-in that they meet the correct covid criteria for each country, causing delays.

Earlier this week a government minister apologised for airport delays, with passengers describing scenes at Stansted as 'chaos'.

John Fowler, Security & Customer Service Director, Stansted Airport said:

The new rules for those vaccinated in Europe and the USA will come into effect on Monday, and will mean that fully vaccinated passengers will not have to isolate if coming from an amber country.

The move has been welcomed by the aviation industry, but they say it's too late to save the summer.

Neil Bradford at London Luton Airport said: