Heathrow tests a 'real step forward' for post-Covid holidays
It’s the good news that the travel industry has been waiting for. Finally, Britain could be a step closer to introducing testing at airports – with Heathrow hoping to start trials within the next few weeks.
John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow, revealed on Wednesday that talks with Downing Street had progressed: “We’ve heard from the Prime Minister that he hopes to go to a trial in the second half of October. It would take a couple of weeks to put into practice.”
Unsurprisingly, the travel industry has reacted with relief and support for the plans – and widespread hope that testing could finally quash quarantine.
“This could be a real step forward for UK travel,” says Jo McClintock, Global Brand Director for flight search website Skyscanner. “Peace of mind is key: the possible introduction of this critical safety measure at the UK’s busiest airport would be a great step forward in taking the complex but necessary steps to reinvigorate travel.”
The news is not a moment too soon, says Andrea Bertoli, managing director at online booking site lastminute.com. “We’ve been calling for more support for the travel industry from the government since March. While we think testing at airports in the UK should have come in well before this summer of chaos and uncertainty for holidaymakers, we certainly welcome this news.
“I’m hoping this is just the beginning of announcements from Boris and other airports will also get the support.”
Holland-Kaye also said testing on routes between London and New York by Thanksgiving (November 26) “seems entirely feasible”, adding the demand would be “enormous”.
“If we get good results, there is no reason we shouldn’t be able to extend it,” he told the publication. “It’s possible that in the first or second quarter of next year, we see ‘rapid point of care’ tests become more normal.”
Visit Britain, the authority for inbound tourism to Britain, has stressed the potential economic gains of opening a US-UK corridor: inbound tourism from the US is worth £4.1 billion to the UK economy, with 4.5 million tourism visits from across the Atlantic last year.
Hotels have responded positively to the news, too. Jonathan Raggett, Managing Director of Red Carnation Hotels, said: “We are delighted to hear this news. Whilst the safety of our hotel guests remains our utmost priority, the Government’s approach to international travel restrictions has been last-minute, with limited consideration given to the detrimental impact on the hospitality industry.
“Testing is the lifeline that the hotel industry needs to get back on its feet, giving global travellers the confidence to travel again, while simultaneously removing the need for economically damaging, long quarantine periods. An effective testing programme would be a huge step forward for the hospitality industry, and will ensure we move forward in a safe manner towards recovery.”
Tour operators are expressing relief, as well. Sonia Davies, CEO of Scott Dunn, said: “This is such welcome news. Whilst the safety of travellers remains as always of utmost priority, the government’s approach to country travel restrictions to date has been kneejerk, leaving our industry on its knees and at risk of collapse.
“It is a balancing act in terms of public health vs. economic health both in the short term and the long term. We have felt for some time that robust and rapid testing programmes – both in communities and at airports – as implemented by many governments around the world since the start of the pandemic, have been the most effective course of action.
“Testing at Heathrow airport is a critical step that will enable the industry to get back on its feet, and will also give travellers increasing confidence. This alongside a nuanced approach to quarantine restrictions and FCDO advice will help us move forward in a safe and measured manner towards recovery.”
