Major US airlines have weighed in alongside UK carriers to urge the reopening of transatlantic travel, calling on governments in Washington and London to arrange a summit as soon as possible.
The airlines said safely reopening borders was essential for economic recovery and asked the nations’ leaders to meet before the G7, and take a decision with sufficient time for airlines to plan and restart services.
In a letter to transport secretaries of state in the US and UK, the chief executives of American, Delta, United and Jet Blue, along with those of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, said vaccination levels in each country meant the lucrative routes, flown by 22 million passengers in 2019, could be safely reopened.
They said: “We are confident that the aviation industry possesses the right tools, based on data and science, to enable a safe and meaningful restart to transatlantic travel. US and UK citizens would benefit from the significant testing capability and the successful trials of digital applications to verify health credentials.”