Foreign Travel Curbs To Stay Until At Least Mid-May: UK Prime Minister

London: (HRNW) The ban on non-essential international travel to and from England will stay until at least May 17, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday, prolonging the pain for airlines, airports and holiday companies hit by the pandemic travel slump.

But would-be holidaymakers will be given clarity on making plans for the summer by April 12, when a review on how to restart travel safely will be published.

“The government will determine when international travel should resume, which will be no earlier than 17 May,” it said.

Johnson told parliament that meant there was still time for Britons to plan summer holidays.

“I believe that setting a deadline of April 12 for the report … will give people time to make their plans for summer and if things go well … then I do believe there is every chance of an aviation recovery later this year,” he said.

Airlines are counting on a summer recovery after close to a year with minimal revenues due to travel restrictions. If they cannot, analysts say most airlines will need to raise more funds to survive after burning through their cash reserves.