Gatwick boss 'disappointed' at Portugal travel list decision
The country was removed from the green list on Thursday (June 3rd).
The CEO of Gatwick Airport has called the decision to take Portugal off the UK's safe travel list 'bitterly disappointing'.
It was announced on Thursday (June 3rd) that the nation would join the likes of Spain, France and Greece on the 'amber list' from next Tuesday.
It means those going there can now only travel for essential reasons, and would need to quarantine for 10 days upon their return.
No other nations have been added to the 'green list'.
The decision was made amid fears of a so-called Nepal variant.
Public Health England said it was urgently investigating the so-called variant, which is thought to be a new spike mutation, labelled K417N, to the existing Indian, or Delta variant of concern.
The West Sussex site runs flights to the likes of Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports, as well as to destinations in the Azores and Madeira, which are part of Portugal.
CEO Stewart Wingate said:
“It is bitterly disappointing news for our impacted passengers and airlines that Portugal is to be added to the “amber” list from next week while no further destinations are being opened up for “green” travel.
"While it is in all of our interests to ensure that we only take forward steps out of the pandemic, we hope that the rest of Europe follows the UK’s speed of public vaccination so that safe and easy travel to and from the UK becomes a reality quickly, particularly as travel between mainland European countries is opening up already.
"As the UK remains focussed on its final easing out of lockdown at the end of June, we remain optimistic that Summer holidays abroad will be a reality for the many people desperate to reunite with friends and family or enjoy a well-earned break.”
Meanwhile, the boss of one of Gatwick's biggest airlines, easyJet, has said the decision to take Portugal off the list 'simply isn't justified by the science.
Johan Lundgren told Sky News:
"This shock decision to add Portugal to the Amber list is a huge blow to those who are currently in Portugal and those who have booked to be reunited with loved ones, or take a well-deserved break this summer."
He continued that adding no more countries to the green list when "most of Europe's infection rates are on a downward trend... makes no sense".
"When this framework was put together, consumers were promised a waiting list to allow them to plan.
"Yet the government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing people's plans into chaos, with virtually no notice or alternative options for travel from the UK.
"This decision essentially cuts the UK off from the rest of the world."