WASHINGTON: A coalition of US and European travel, airline, union, business, and airport groups on May 3 called for fully reopening the US-UK air travel market “as soon as safely possible”.
In a letter to US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the groups stated the leaders’ planned meeting in early June “would be an ideal opportunity for a joint announcement of the full reopening of the US-UK air travel market for each US and UK citizens.”
The United States since March 2020 has barred nearly all non-US citizens who have recently been within the UK from the United States.
“The return of Transatlantic flying wouldn’t only have a significantly positive impact on our respective economies however will also reunite those who have been separated from their loved ones for over a yr,” stated the letter, signed by the US Chamber of Commerce, Airlines for America, Global Business Travel Association, Air Line Pilots Association, Virgin Atlantic, Association of UK Airlines, Aerospace Industries Association and others.
“Safely reopening borders between the US and UK is essential for both nations’ economic recovery from COVID-19.”
On Monday, the European Union’s executive recommended easing COVID-19 travel restrictions next month to let foreign travelers from more nations enter the EU, hoping to boost the stricken tourism industry this summer.
One question remains whether the US government will participate in helping Americans establish to foreign governments that they’ve been fully vaccinated in order to travel.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki has stated “there will be no federal vaccinations database and no federal mandate requiring everyone to obtain a single vaccination credential.”
India, Brazil, China, Iran, South Africa, Ireland, and 26 other nations in Europe that allow travel across open borders are also lined by the severe travel restrictions that prevent most non-US citizens from entering the United States if they have been within one of those nations within the final 14 days.
In January, Biden reversed a decision made by President Donald Trump to rescind the entry bans on the UK and other European nations.
Nearly all of Europe still bans most US travelers from visiting, whereas Britain allows American visits but requires a 10-day quarantine upon arrival and two COVID-19 tests.
