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BALPA responds to reports that no further countries are to be added to the green list for travel

The British Airline Pilots Association has voiced its utter dismay at reports that no further countries are to be added to the green list for travel.

BALPA says this excessive caution could be the final nail in the coffin for the travel industry which has borne the economic brunt of the COVID-19 crisis with no help from the Government.

BALPA says it is concerned that official criteria for inclusion in the green list appears to have been ignored.

BALPA’s Acting General Secretary Brian Strutton said:

“This decision is a total disaster for the already fragile travel industry and is likely to lead to further airline failures and many more job losses.

“We understand that safety comes first, but with vaccination programmes going well in many countries, it seems the Government is ignoring the evidence and is allowing safe countries to languish in the amber and red categories for no valid reason.

“Any shred of public confidence is in tatters and the traffic light system seems stuck on red.

“Our airlines need this summer season if they are to survive. The Government must look at the evidence and stop this illogical, over cautious approach, that is killing a once thriving industry.”