The idea of a US-UK travel corridor isn’t something new. It has been discussed in the past weeks considering the number of people vaccinated in both countries. British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle said that there is a “great opportunity” for the UK and the US to resume international travel. He said that with high vaccination rates, a travel corridor could resume travel to the US and UK by June onwards.
Airlines are looking to prepare for summer. Some airline companies acquired more planes while others increased their crew and pilots anticipating a potential increase in travel demand by summer.
Sean Doyle believes that travel between the US and Britain should be restriction-free. He said that “If you look at the progress of vaccinations that the UK and the US have made, they’re almost neck and neck”. He added that “I think the US is a great opportunity to get up and running again”.
Travel to Europe
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday announced that Americans who completed their vaccination can enter Europe by Summer. Though other European countries are still behind in terms of vaccination rates, Doyle thinks that there is a chance that Europe will open up.
Airlines are hopeful after hearing the European Commission’s announcement. However, IATA director general Willie Walsh wants to have details regarding dates and public health benchmarks.
Resumption of International Travel
CDC now considers travelers who completed their vaccination a low risk when traveling. With millions now vaccinated, many are now booking flights to different destinations around the US. On the other hand, international travel remains mostly limited to essential travel. Some countries now welcome US travelers. Israel will now allow US and European travelers. Greece is another location in Europe that could pick up in the coming months.
A US-UK travel corridor makes sense considering the number of people that received the vaccine in both countries. Though the UK just wants US travelers to quarantine and get tested, a US-UK travel corridor is a game-changer. This could encourage people to travel without the need to spend days in a quarantine facility.