Pilots say they are raring to go as travel restrictions are lifted in the UK. The British Airline Pilots Association says its members are ready and waiting to take passengers safely to their destinations for some early summer sun.
BALPA says the lifting of the ban on foreign holidays is the first step to recovery for UK aviation but is urging the Government not to dawdle when it comes to opening up global travel.
It has called for increased coordination across the UK and Europe and improved global cooperation. With vaccination programmes in the UK and US going well, BALPA has urged the Government to look at reopening the travel corridor between the two countries.
BALPA is also urging the Government to look closely at the designation of countries and ensure that safe destinations are not kept on the amber and red destinations list indefinitely.
BALPA General Secretary Brian Strutton said:
“Pilots are delighted to be back in the air and delivering passengers safely to their destinations so people can enjoy some much needed holidays.
“The British public is keen to resume foreign travel and we need to give them the confidence to do so. That’s why the Government must work hard to coordinate the return to travel globally and ensure it is not inhibiting travel unnecessarily.
“With vaccination programmes in the US and UK going well, we urge them to reopen that travel corridor as soon as possible. The Government must not waste time when it comes to reassessing the designations of other countries. Safe destinations must not be made to languish in the amber and red categories longer than is necessary.”
Source : British Airline Pilots Association ( BALPA ).
