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    COVID-19 Travel News: When Will Flights to and from the UK Resume?

    With the Delta variant of COVID-19 placing a huge impact on most parts of the world in recent times, it has been a tough time for airway sectors and the tourism industry, as well as for people who are planning a summer vacation elsewhere outside of the UK. However, thanks to the vaccination process speeding up in the UK and many parts of the world, it is possible to see borders are beginning to open up and more international flights to and from the UK are allowed to resume in the near future. 

    when will international flights resume uk

    Photo by Lukas Souza on Unsplash 

    For residents in the UK, the good news is non-essential travels are now permitted in the region (the UK and the Common Travel Area) and to some countries in the world where the situation of COVID-19 is under control. However, to limit the spread of any COVID-19 variant, the UK government has classified specific destinations with the traffic-light system: green, amber and red. This system works as a COVID-19 guide for passengers who wish to enter England from abroad. The same rules are applied for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This list is reviewed every three weeks, you can see the full list of countries and guidance from the Department for Transport here

    Green – countries with a minimal risk

    Arrivals to England must:

    • Fill in a passenger locator form
    • Take a pre-departure test
    • Book a COVID-19 test from a government-approved provider before travel
    • Take a PCR test on or before day 2 of arrival
    • Passengers don’t need to quarantine or take any further tests if the test is negative.

    Amber – countries with a moderate risk

    Arrivals to England must:

    * arrivals from amber list countries can use test to release on day 5 to end quarantine early

    Red – countries with a high risk

    Arrivals to England must:

    • Fill in a passenger locator form (including details of your quarantine package)
    • Take a pre-departure test and get a negative result three days before travel
    • Book a quarantine package – including a managed quarantine hotel, quarantine transport and also the travel test package – from a government-approved provider before travel
    • Quarantine for 10 days in a managed quarantine hotel
    • Take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 of your return (with no option for early release)

    This article from CabinZero is an overview of the current situation on international flights to and from the UK, and what to note if you’re planning a trip abroad this summer. 

    Can I Travel Within the UK?

    At the moment, it is permitted for residents in the UK (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales), Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man to go on holidays within the UK and the Common Travel Area with separate restrictions. These travels are allowed in self-catering accommodations, B&Bs and hotels with permitted numbers of people indoors and outdoors depending on where you are travelling to. Details about the up-to-date information on the current situation, accommodations in the area as well as exceptions can be found on the Government website. 

    when will flights resume from uk

    Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak on Unsplash 

    Read more: Can I Travel Within the UK During COVID-19?

    Important Dates on International Travel for UK residents

      • 17 May - travelling abroad became possible again. The UK Government has announced a traffic-light system where countries are graded as red, amber or green for Coronavirus and there are rules you need to follow to enter England. 
      • June 25 - Transport Minister Grant Shapps released the news that later this summer, UK residents who are fully vaccinated will not have to isolate themselves when travelling from amber list countries. And on the same day, it was also confirmed that Madeira, the Balearic Islands, several UK Overseas Territories and Caribbean Islands (including Barbados) were added to the green list and green watchlist. Israel & Jerusalem were also added to the green watchlist.
      • July 19 - UK residents who are fully vaccinated will not have to quarantine when they return from amber list countries (apart from France, due to a large number of Beta variant cases there). The government has also lifted their advice on those who want to travel to amber list countries for leisure or visit families.

      Travelling to the UK: When Will International Flights to the UK Resume?

      Follow the Foreign Travel Advice (choose a country and go under the Coronavirus section) from the UK Government website to find more about whether flights from a specific country to the UK have been resumed, and guidance on COVID-19 travel restrictions, quarantine regulations and entry requirements. Here are some countries that have resumed flights to the UK:

      India

      Currently, all regularly international flights between the UK