Airport, airlines start legal action against Britain over travel rules

A group of airports and airlines launched legal action against the British government over its travel curbs on Friday, challenging ministers to be more transparent over decisions on rating COVID-19 risks in destination countries. The litigation, led by Manchester Airports Group, with backing from Ryanair, easyJet, IAG and TUI UK, is going ahead despite plans announced by the government on Thursday to allow more travel. "British consumers need to understand how decisions are made so they can confidently plan their travel, which is why we are asking the government to provide the data and advice that is underpinning its decision making," the CEs of the five companies involved said. Britain said fully-vaccinated British residents returning from medium-risk countries will no longer have to quarantine on arrival home from July 19, opening up travel for the 65% of adults who have had two jabs and those aged under 18. But travel companies say it is still not clear how the government makes decisions about rating destinations under its traffic light system where low risk is green, medium risk is amber and high risk is red. Despite the coming rule change, the complainants want the legal action to force a wider re-opening of travel.<br/>