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Prime ministers

UK Airlines Push for Travel Corridor with US as Industry Eyes Summer Restart

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The chief executives of British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Heathrow airport have jointly called for the UK government to establish a travel corridor with the US as soon as next month, citing the success of vaccination programs in both countries. The industry is pinning its hopes on the UK introducing the US to its "green list" system, which would allow passengers to avoid quarantine upon return. The travel corridor is crucial for the industry, as the US is a vital trading partner and the routes between the two countries are worth $9 billion to carriers on both sides of the Atlantic.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CEOs of British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Heathrow airport have jointly called for a travel corridor with the US as soon as next month.
  • The industry is pushing for the US to be put on the "green list" immediately, which would allow passengers to avoid quarantine upon return.
  • The UK and US have been among the fastest to roll out vaccinations, with the UK administering 55.2 vaccine doses per 100 residents and the US on 49.8 (Financial Times's vaccine tracker).
  • The routes between the US and UK are worth $9 billion to carriers on both sides of the Atlantic.
  • In 2019, 22 million passengers travelled between the US and UK, nearly 10% of global air travel.
  • North America made up more than two-thirds of Virgin's flight network before the pandemic hit.
  • BA was the largest long-haul carrier into the region in 2019, with flights to more than 30 destinations.
  • UK airlines have been flying skeleton schedules this year, and are heavily reliant on borders reopening in time for the busy summer season.

Statistics:

  • 22 million passengers travelled between the US and UK in 2019.
  • The routes between the US and UK are worth $9 billion to carriers on both sides of the Atlantic.
  • The UK has administered 55.2 vaccine doses per 100 residents (Financial Times's vaccine tracker).
  • The US has administered 49.8 vaccine doses per 100 residents (Financial Times's vaccine tracker).

Sources:

  • Philip Georgiadis, (no date) "UK airlines push for travel corridor with US as industry eyes summer restart". The Times.
  • Financial Times's vaccine tracker (no date).

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