Manchester Airport Group (MAG) and Ryanair are taking legal action against the government over its traffic light travel system.
MAG – which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports – is teaming up with Michael O’Leary’s airline to tackle the government on international travel rules, reports the BBC.
The legal challenge – which arrives just days after confirmation the end of lockdown will be delayed – apparently has the backing of other big travel companies.
Travel groups are arguing that the government needs to produce more data to support its decision-making on restrictions to certain countries.
MAG and Ryanair have launched legal action over travel list restrictions / Image: Wikimedia Commons
Currently, the government is operating a traffic light system for travel – which categorises countries as ‘green’, ‘amber’ or ‘red’ depending on their risk level.
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Arrivals from green list countries do not need to quarantine upon their return to the UK, whereas those coming back from Amber nations must self-isolate for 10 days. Anyone returning from red list countries must quarantine in a hotel.
All passengers – regardless of destination – are asked to take COVID tests.
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Countries can be moved between lists at any time.
But Ryanair CEO O’Leary has called the system a “shambles”.
Earlier this week he stated: “UK tourism and aviation needs a pragmatic travel policy, which permits vaccinated UK and EU citizens to travel between the UK and the EU without the need for quarantine or negative PCR tests.
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“This will at least allow the UK tourism industry to plan for what is left of the summer season and get hundreds of thousands of people back to work.”
Ryanair’s boss has called the / Image: Photo by Fotis Christopoulos via Unsplash
Charlie Cornish, MAG CEO, released a statement earlier this month claiming it was “clear the government doesn’t trust its own system” – which he called “not fit for purpose.”
He wrote: “The lack of transparency is shocking and totally unacceptable. If the Government has information that supports its decisions, then it needs to publish it. We have repeatedly asked for this data, but we are being left in the dark about how it is making these choices, with no opportunity for scrutiny or challenge.
“That is not the way to go about limiting people’s freedoms and crippling the country’s travel and tourism sectors. With so much at stake, we need immediate transparency and urgent action to make this system of travel restrictions fit for purpose.”
A government spokesperson said it could not comment on specific legal proceedings, but confirmed: “We recognise this is a challenging period for the sector, as we seek to balance the timely reopening of international travel while safeguarding public health and protecting the vaccine roll-out.”
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“We have provided £7bn to help support for the industry during the pandemic.”
Featured image: Flickr
News
Police appeal launched after man found with life-changing injuries in Christmas Eve assault
Daisy Jackson
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was found on Christmas Eve with life-changing injuries.
The man was found with series injuries to his face in Moss Side at around 6.30pm on 24 December.
Police were called to the scene on Viscount Street by the ambulance service.
It’s believed that the 49-year-old man was dragged off his bike by another man, before being assaulted on the floor and left with serious injuries to his face and head.
The victim has had to have surgery on his life-changing and life-threatening injuries, and remains in a serious condition in hospital.
GMP are now appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with information, to come forward.
Detective Inspector Lee Newburn of GMP’s City of Manchester Criminal Investigation Department said; “This is a shocking attack that has left a victim with devastating injuries on Christmas Eve.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anything to speak to us to help us build a full timeline of events leading up to this assault, we are also appealing to those residents who live near Viscount Street to come forward if they saw anything suspicious yesterday evening.
“This could be eyewitness accounts, CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage at the time of the incident or leading up to or after the assault.
“If you have any information or footage, please call us directly on 0161 856 4227 quoting incident number 2392 of 24/12/2024 or anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
10 of the best theatre shows to see in Greater Manchester in 2025
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester already has a jam-packed 2025 theatre schedule, and in the words of Hairspray, Manchester really can’t stop the beat.
There’s no denying that Manchester and its surrounding areas are no stranger to a live performance or two, after all, with three cracking theatres to choose from, it would be hard to miss one of these spell-bounding tours.
Without further ado, here’s a brief overview of 10 of the best theatre shows to see in Greater Manchester in 2025.
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Wicked
Palace Theatre Manchester
3 December 2024 – 12 January 2025
Wicked / Credit: Matt Crockett
The smash-hit blockbuster of the year is continuing its reign even into the New Year for two weeks of gravity defying awesomeness.
Currently nearing the end of its remarkable cinema run, thanks to leading ladies Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, continue the magic of the two witches in the form of live theatre.
Expect all the usual hits like ‘Defying Gravity’, ‘Popular’ and ‘What Is This Feeling?’, get lost in the world of Ozian storytelling and recline in your own comfy bright red theatre seat.
It’s all about star power with this musical as Johannes Radebe from Strictly Come Dancing playing Lola and the music and lyrics handled by pop icon Cyndi Lauper.
The musical follows the life of a struggling businessman who’s inherited his family’s shoe factory, all seems dire until he meets Lola a drag queen who might just solve all his problems.
‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’ as its titled is directed by Aditya Chopra, the film’s original director.
Since its big-screen release in 1995, the show has never left cinemas in Mumbai, becoming the longest-running title in Indian cinema.
This stage adaptation has a huge emphasis on colliding cultures, with the Bollywood production following the love story of two lovers from different backgrounds.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, back in Manchester LIVE.
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The six wives of Henry VIII have a special place in Manchester’s hearts, becoming a returning favourite since its not-so-quiet 2018 debut. For those who haven’t been lucky enough to see it, imagine Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour but a few centuries earlier – it’s a pure pop celebration.
Something’s just go hand in hand – Fish and chips, tea and biscuits, and thespians and The Rocky Horror Show.
This musical carries alongside it one of the biggest fandoms of all time, and with Jason Donovan playing the role of Frank-N-Furter, the love for this production is set to grow much stronger. Manchester is no stranger to doing the ‘Time Warp’ and with the musical returning in summer 2025, they’re most definitely about to do it again.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe / Credit: Matt Crockett
Start filling your Christmas calendar for 2025 early and enrich yourself in a classic novel set in the fantasy land of Narnia.
Watch Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter tackle enemies, face foes and create solutions while venturing through a world of wonders. You’re about to be in awe as you get whisked away to this mystical land and watch the story unfold on stage with a live cast and some mesmerising set designs.
Dates for this show are very flexible too, meaning theatregoers have lots of opportunities to see the miracle worker that is Ms. Poppins fly about the streets of London.
It’s a double Australian bill as both Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers who are reprising their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert, respectively, are both from down under.
‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’, ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘The Best’, you can’t deny the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll has certainly earned her royal musical status.
This monumental singer achieved 12 Grammy awards during her musical career and grew a strong cult fanbase who stuck with her through thick and thin.
Now fans and musical lovers alike can enjoy a show all about the life of the vocal pioneer while also reminiscing on some of the biggest hits of her career.
Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of…) / Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
There are lots of fantastic productions happening throughout the year and but we had to include this one because it’s Pride And Prejudice… well sort of.
Jane Austen’s groundbreaking novel has seen itself take on numerous adaptations since it’s original hardback debut from the big screen release in 2005 to this new stage musical coming in 2025. The drama will feature some of pop’s greatest records throughout the tale like ‘You’re So Vain’, ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ and ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’.
The Manc -
17th June 2021 
