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
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
The Manc -
17th June 2021 
