Airlines continue to hurt, urge travel restrictions to be lifted in U.K.

ST. ATHAN, WALES - OCTOBER 8: British Airways crew depart a Boeing 747-400 (G-CIVY) aircraft for the last time after it arrives at St. Athan airport on October 8, 2020 in St. Athan, Wales. The aircraft has clocked-up 45 million air miles having first flown in September 1998. Two Heathrow-based Boeing 747 aircraft set off for their last flights, one to Kemble airport and the other to an airfield near Cardiff. British airways have brought forward the jumbo jets retirement by several years due to the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the airline. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
ST. ATHAN, WALES - OCTOBER 8: British Airways crew depart a Boeing 747-400 (G-CIVY) aircraft for the last time after it arrives at St. Athan airport on October 8, 2020 in St. Athan, Wales. The aircraft has clocked-up 45 million air miles having first flown in September 1998. Two Heathrow-based Boeing 747 aircraft set off for their last flights, one to Kemble airport and the other to an airfield near Cardiff. British airways have brought forward the jumbo jets retirement by several years due to the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the airline. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

The summer months are huge for international travel and after the 2020 summer of only emergency flights, this year isn’t looking so good either.

Nothing says vacation like traveling abroad. Millions of travelers take to the skies to navigate various parts of the globe. Whether to visit families in other countries or simply to get away and visit someplace you have never been, getting there often requires you to fly.

While many countries are lifting their entry restrictions, some countries still maintain a hard stance. In New Foundland for example, you can leave the country without a problem but you still have to self-quarantine for 14 days after you return. It may not sound like a big deal but consider those who take a week’s vacation to visit New York City, now have to take an additional two weeks just to stay away from everyone. As a Newfie friend of mine told me recently, “that’s impossible.”

The airline industry is hurting, maybe more than most. Now with the biggest months ahead, flights are still not completely booked and flights are still being canceled. Now, they want the U.S. and the U.K. to lift some of the restrictions that are keeping travelers out of the skies.

Visitors from the U.S. must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the U.K. so basically, your vacation is going to be holed up in a hotel somewhere. Travelers from the U.K. to the U.S. face strict regulations as well and some can’t get into the country.

Next week is a critical key date as President Biden will be at the G7 Summit in London. Executive for both the U.S. and U.K. airline companies are hoping to get restrictions lifted or at the very least relaxed.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 01: Airline passengers are escorted on to waiting buses outside Heathrow Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport on June 1, 2021 in London, England. Heathrow’s Terminal 3 will now be reserved for direct arrivals from countries on the British government’s “red list,” from which travelers are subject to a 10-day hotel quarantine. Previously, there was concern about “red list” arrivals queueing in Heathrow terminals alongside travelers from countries with a lower Covid-19 risk profile. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 01: Airline passengers are escorted on to waiting buses outside Heathrow Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport on June 1, 2021 in London, England. Heathrow’s Terminal 3 will now be reserved for direct arrivals from countries on the British government’s “red list,” from which travelers are subject to a 10-day hotel quarantine. Previously, there was concern about “red list” arrivals queueing in Heathrow terminals alongside travelers from countries with a lower Covid-19 risk profile. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

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It’s unclear how long these restrictions are going to be in place but with the month of June already upon us, the industry’s summer is June and July as well as early to mid-August for families who travel while kids are out of school.

In France, the country is lifting many of its restrictions. Passengers who have been vaccinated from several countries are permitted to enter the country without a test while those who have not can take a COVID test within 72 hours of arriving. Unfortunately, the U.S. is not listed as one of those “Green” countries. The U.S. is listed as an “Orange” country and only vaccinated passengers that also do a COVID test prior to arrival will be allowed into the country.

While things are trying to get back to normal here in the states, travel abroad is still a little ways away, at least with the freedom that we enjoyed previously.