UK Airline bosses lashed out at PM - Boris Johnson's twin Covid-19 test scheme for the arrivals from

Boris Johnson's Traffic Light System travel plan is under attack, Aviation bosses term this as 'unfair' and warn only the rich will be able to afford foreign travel after PM says he is 'hopeful' of trips abroad starting next month

• Boris Johnson has confirmed traffic light system will be used for foreign travel
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• Under the system, no isolation would be necessary on return to the UK from so-called "green" countries.
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• But pre-departure and post-arrival tests would be required, potentially costing up to £200 each.
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• Countries rated green, amber or red based on vaccine levels and case numbers 
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• Travel to green countries would be quarantine-free but will require taking tests
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• Aviation chiefs said testing requirement for green nations not 'fair' and not 'right'

Aviation bosses today lashed out at  Boris Johnson 's traffic light scheme for resuming international travel as they warned requiring travellers from 'green list' countries to be tested twice will price many people out of holidays abroad. 

The new traffic light scheme will see countries rated green, amber or red using criteria including vaccination levels, case numbers and the prevalence of Corona Virus variants.  

Travellers returning from countries rated 'green' will not be required  to self-isolate, although pre-departure and  post-arrival tests will still be needed. 

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said the testing requirement should be ditched because if countries have cases under control and have extensive vaccination programmes then 'green is green'. 

He said paying for laboratory-based PCR tests would cost 'way over and above what the cost is of an average easyJet fare' which would result in only opening up international travel 'for people who can afford it'.

He said that would not be 'fair' or 'right' as he also questioned whether the approach was backed up by science.

Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss echoed a similar sentiment as he said: 

'We can't have a prohibitively expensive testing system that puts businesses, people and families off travelling.'

The comments came after Mr Johnson said he is 'hopeful' of resuming some non-essential foreign travel from May 17 but refused to give a firm commitment to the roadmap date.

Under the Government's scheme, summer holidayers returning from 'green' countries will not have to isolate, although they will need to have tests before and after they fly. 

Those coming back from red list countries would have to quarantine in a hotel for ten days, while arrivals from amber destinations will have to isolate at home.   

Travellers returning to the UK are currently required to take a PCR test prior to departure.