Jet2 Cancels All Flights, Holidays to June 23 on Lack of Clarity in UK Travel Framework -- Update
April 09 2021 - 10:58AM
Dow Jones News
---Industry body Airlines UK calls PCR testing expensive and
unnecessary
---Thomas Cook says U.K. government's PCR guidelines open up
travel for the few, not the many
---EasyJet says guidelines open flying only for the wealthy
By Anthony O. Goriainoff
Jet2 PLC said Friday that it is suspending all flights and
holidays up to and including June 23, after the U.K. government's
Global Travel Taskforce Framework failed to provide clarity on the
details of restarting global travel.
The U.K. leisure-travel group said the government's framework
lacked any rigorous detail about how to get international travel
going again, and that it was virtually the same as it was six
months ago.
"Following the publication of the framework today, we still do
not know when we can start to fly, where we can fly to and the
availability and cost of testing. Rather than answering questions,
the framework leaves everyone asking more," Chief Executive Steve
Heapy said.
The framework proposed by the U.K. government recommends the
launch of a new traffic light system--which will categorize
countries based on risk alongside the restrictions required for
travel--as well as the introduction of travel certification. It
will also require all U.K. arrivals to take PCR tests both
pre-departure and post-arrival once international travel
resumes.
The U.K.'s travel and aviation industry reacted negatively to
the framework with easyJet PLC's Chief Executive Johan Lundgren
saying that a two-test system was a blow to all travelers wishing
to visit family and friends or take a much-needed holiday this
summer.
"This risks reversing the clock and making flying only for the
wealthy. Moreover it is hugely frustrating that the taskforce has
not delivered what the Prime Minister said they should achieve in
making this flexible and affordable," Mr. Lundgren said.
His comments were echoed by online travel operator Thomas Cook
Group PLC, which said the government's PCR guidelines signaled that
travel was opening up initially "for the few not the many."
Thomas Cook CEO Alan French also called on the government to
shift its position on the need for PCR tests so as to ensure travel
remained accessible to all, and not just a few.
Airlines UK--the industry body representing U.K.-registered
carriers--said the framework didn't represent a reopening of travel
as promised by ministers.
Its Chief Executive Tim Alderslade criticized the government's
insistence on PCR testing--which he called expensive and
unnecessary--instead of rapid testing, adding that this would pose
an unsustainable burden on passengers, which would make travel
unviable and unaffordable for many people.
"All the evidence suggests you can reopen travel safely and in a
risk-based manner with more proportionate measures, and we urge
government to work with industry on a faster, cheaper and less
complex solution." Mr. Alderslade said.
U.K. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the announced
framework will help reopen travel safely and sustainably, ensuring
the protection of "hard-won achievements on the vaccine
rollout."
Jet2 shares at 1410 GMT were down 4.8% at 1,302 pence, with
easyJet shares down 1.7% at 975.80 pence. Shares for German travel
group TUI were down 5.2%, with Ryanair down 1.2%, Wizz Air down
1.5% and IAG down 1.4%.
Write to Anthony O. Goriainoff at
anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 09, 2021 10:43 ET (14:43 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2021 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Easyjet (LSE:EZJ)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2024 to Aug 2024
Easyjet (LSE:EZJ)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2023 to Aug 2024