BA, Ryanair and EasyJet push forward with lawsuit over quarantine restrictions
Several of the U.K.’s largest airlines have come together to sue the government in an effort to overturn the country’s mandatory 14-day quarantine for all international arrivals.
British Airways, along with low-cost carriers Ryanair and EasyJet, announced on Friday that they would be asking for a judicial review to be heard as soon as possible.
Together, the group said that the government’s plan was “flawed” and that it “will have a devastating effect on British tourism and the wider economy and destroy thousands of jobs.”
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The group is pushing the government to take a similar approach it did at the start of the coronavirus crisis, which outlined that arriving passengers from high-risk countries should self-isolate for two weeks on arrival into the U.K. That, versus the current restrictions, which force everyone to self-isolate for 14 days.
Related: Everything you need to know about the UK’s mandatory 14-day self-isolation for arriving travelers
“This would be the most practical and effective solution, and enables civil servants to focus on other, more significant issues arising from the pandemic while bringing the UK in line with much of Europe which is opening its borders mid-June,” the airlines said in a joint statement.
Last week, British Airways’ parent International Airlines Group wrote to the government to block the measure. However, the government went ahead with implementing the 14-day quarantine as of Monday, June 8. According to Bloomberg, IAG was left disappointed by the government response last week.
The Home Office declined to immediately comment on the airlines’ move to sue.
The aviation and travel industries have been some of the most affected amid the coronavirus crisis. Airlines and the larger U.K. tourism industry have largely opposed the government’s 14-day quarantine since it was first announced, saying that it would further hurt their already-crippled industries.
Despite the U.K.’s 14-day quarantine restriction, which went into effect on Monday and will be reviewed every three weeks, EasyJet, BA and Ryanair have announced their flying plans for the summer.
EasyJet plans to relaunch some domestic service beginning 15 June before resuming 75% of its network by August. Fellow low-cost carrier Ryanair said that it plans to resume 40% of its flying beginning 1 July. Meanwhile, BA, which said that it plans to take a “meaningful return to service” in July, is showing that it will operate 29 long-haul routes beginning that month.
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4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
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Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees