US: Airlines press US on refusal to lift COVID-19 travel restrictions

Major airlines are pressing the United States government on its decision not to move quickly to relax COVID-19 restrictions that block travelers who have been in much of Europe and elsewhere even as other countries began to ease prohibitions. On Monday, the heads of several major airlines as well as the CE of Heathrow Airport and industry group the US Travel Association will hold a virtual news conference to push for removal of travel restrictions between the US and the UK. On hand will be the CEOs of American Airlines, IAG unit British Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and JetBlue Airways Corp. The airline CEOs on May 11 had called for a summit between U.S. officials, UK officials, and airlines to discuss how to "expeditiously reopen transatlantic travel."<br/>Since March 2020, the United States has barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who have been in the UK within the last 14 days from entering the country. Most U.S. travelers visiting the UK must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. Airline and administration officials say no change is expected in the near term but add it is possible the restrictions could be removed as early as July 4 or thereabouts, but they caution no decisions have been made.<br/>