(TAN): England has imposed a fresh ban on overseas travel that is not related to work to help curb a resurgence of the coronavirus, throwing airlines into crisis once again, reports said.
The new rules, part of a wider partial lockdown by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, will go into effect on November 5 and continue until December 2. Media reports said airlines had not been informed about the restrictions before the public announcement by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The development comes at a time when the carriers are already battling a sharp decrease in demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of them have already taken drastic cost cutting measures including a large number of job losses.
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Europe’s second largest carrier EasyJet has said in a statement to the media that its planned resumption of flying in early December was likely to be cancelled due to the fresh lockdown.
Whereas British Airways was still assessing the new development and had said to keep their customers updated on possible changes.
Meanwhile Heathrow Airport has called for support from the British Government in the form of an economic package to save the aviation industry. Without such assistance “tens of thousands jobs across the country will be lost,” it said in a statement.
According to the new set of restrictions announced, “overnight stays and holidays away from primary residences will not be allowed — including holidays in the UK and abroad.” As per media reports, only essential shops will open. Although schools and universities will remain open.
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“Christmas is going to be different this year, very different, but it is my sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action now, we can allow families across the country to be together,” Prime Minister Johnson was quoted as saying by the media on the fresh lockdown.
The International Air Transport Association had reportedly predicted that the global aviation industry is going to lose USD 77 billion in the second half. The latest British lockdown is feared to worsen the situation further.
