EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren has expressed concern that new travel rules for fully vaccinated travellers returning from amber-list countries could make flying a privilege for the rich. Speaking after the government announced that quarantine would end for such travellers from 19 July, Lundgren warned that expensive testing requirements might put holidays out of reach for some people.
Under the updated rules, fully vaccinated UK residents arriving in England from amber-list destinations will no longer need to self-isolate, but they must still take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day two after return. Children under 18 are exempt from quarantine but must take tests. The guidance against non-essential travel to amber-list countries will also be removed from 19 July.
Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye welcomed the move as a boost for families hoping for a more normal summer, but urged the government to extend the policy to fully vaccinated travellers from more countries, including the US, by the end of July. He said Heathrow was working with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to demonstrate that checks on departure could be done safely without causing delays at immigration.
Industry leaders broadly praised the announcement but called for further action. Steve Heapy of Jet2 said it signalled a meaningful restart to international travel, while Virgin Atlantic's Shai Weiss described it as a positive development that would boost consumer confidence. However, Gatwick's Stewart Wingate and British Airways' Sean Doyle highlighted the need to remove costly PCR tests for double-vaccinated travellers and to add more countries to the green list.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that the next review of travel lists would take place on 15 July, but warned that amber-list countries could still turn red, requiring hotel quarantine. Red-list restrictions remain unchanged.
