Manchester Airport bosses have shared their 'huge disappointment' about the lack of a long-term plan to revive international travel.

Their response - not the first time the hub has expressed frustration over the lack of a long-term strategy - follows the Prime Minister's move this week to outline the Government's approach to easing Covid restrictions around international travel and holidays.

According to a Downing Street statement, released on Easter Monday, a risk-based 'traffic light' system will be introduced when flight rules can be relaxed and holiday bans lifted.

The previously announced road map outlines how non-essential international travel might be permitted by May 17 as part of Step Three - subject to a review from the global travel task force, due next Monday (April 12).

From then, a red, amber, and green rating system will be in place for countries around the world - similar to the current Department of Transport 'red list' of banned destinations.

Under the new system, travellers arriving from countries rated green will not be required to isolate, although pre-departure and post-arrival tests will still be needed.

For those classed as amber or red, restrictions will remain as they are, with arrivals required to self-isolate or enter quarantine.

Manchester Airport has welcomed the traffic light system as a step toward greater freedom - but decried the lack of a solid long-term plan as has been granted to 'every other sector of the economy'.

Their plea follows a tough year in which the peaks and troughs of covid infection, restrictions and quarantine requirements saw demand for travel plummet by up to 90 per cent, employees take a 10 per cent pay cut and 465 employees of Manchester Airports Group - along with hundreds of workers employed indirectly - find themselves at risk of redundancy.

Welcoming the government's desire to open up international travel on May 17, a spokesman from Manchester Airports Group said the travel industry had recognised the need for mreasures to prevent the spread of the virus - and to respond to the emeregence of new variants both in the UK and abroad.

He added: "That is why it is good to see that the Global Travel Taskforce has developed a ‘traffic light’ system, based on the risk associated with travelling to different countries, and taking account of the success of the UK’s vaccination programme."

But the hub spokesman continued: "However, it is hugely disappointing that the proposed framework includes no provision for a return to restriction-free travel, either now or in the future when the conditions are judged to be appropriate.

"Aviation has been the sector hardest hit by the pandemic, and its revival is key to the UK’s wider economic recovery. It supports more than one million jobs, helps British businesses to become global success stories and enables families to stay in touch and enjoy hard-earned holidays abroad.

"It is vital that all those who rely on aviation - for holidays, employment or trade - can see a full roadmap to normality, as is the case with every other sector of the economy.

"The government must now focus on restoring consumer confidence, providing clarity for travellers and opening up access to more destinations as quickly as possible.

"We will continue working with the government and our industry partners to keep these measures under review, with the ultimate objective of removing restrictions altogether."

The Government is yet to add meat to the bones of its traffic light plan - with announcements yet to be made on which countries would be on which list.

However, there are 39 locations on the current restricted list.

Anyone who has been in or through any of the destinations listed below in the previous 10 days will be refused entry to the UK.

British or Irish nationals, or those with residence rights in the UK, will be able to enter.

But they must quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days, at a cost of around £1,750.

The most recent changes will see Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan and Philippines added to the list from 4am, Friday April 9.

Under the current lockdown rules in Step One, travel abroad from the UK without a reasonable excuse is illegal, with a £5,000 fine penalty.

'Red list'

  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Bangladesh (will be added to the list 4am Friday 9 April)
  • Bolivia
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Burundi
  • Cape Verde
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Ecuador
  • Eswatini
  • Ethiopia
  • French Guiana
  • Guyana
  • Kenya (will be added to the list 4am Friday 9 April)
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Oman
  • Pakistan (will be added to the list 4am Friday 9 April)
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines (will be added to the list 4am Friday 9 April)
  • Qatar
  • Rwanda
  • Seychelles
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • Suriname
  • Tanzania
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Only people who are UK or Irish nationals or UK residents are allowed to enter the UK from a 'red list' country, and those returning must arrive into desinated ports.

There's currently a £5,000 fine for people arriving from red list countries who fail to quarantine in a designated hotel.

Carriers are also fined £2,000 if they bring in a passenger from a red list country to a non-designated port, or if they bring in someone who has not booked a quarantine package. They are also fined if one of their passengers has not booked a testing package if they are flying in from other countries.

Despite restrictions on international travel, there have still been more than 30 flights departing and arriving at Manchester Airport each day throughout lockdown - with more than 2,000 passengers travelling on them.

Flying in and out of Terminal One, flights are bound for destinations including Amsterdam, Doha, Addis Ababa, Belfast, Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi.