WASHINGTON: A coalition of US and European travel, airline, union, business and airport groups on Monday called for fully reopening the US-UK air travel market"as soon as safely possible".
"The return of Transatlantic flying would not only have a significantly positive impact on our respective economies but will also reunite those who have been separated from their loved ones for over a year," said the letter, signed by the US Chamber of Commerce, Airlines for America, Global Business Travel Association, Air Line Pilots Association, Virgin Atlantic, Association of UK Airlines, Aerospace Industries Association and others.
On Monday, the European Union's executive recommended easing COVID-19 travel restrictions next month to let foreign travelers from more countries enter the EU, hoping to boost the stricken tourism industry this summer.One question remains whether the US government will participate in helping Americans establish to foreign governments that they have been fully vaccinated in order to travel.
India, Brazil, China, Iran, South Africa, Ireland and 26 other countries in Europe that allow travel across open borders are also covered by the severe travel restrictions that prevent most non-US citizens from entering the United States if they have been within one of those countries within the last 14 days.