Jet2 blames government as it suspends journeys

International travel to and from the UK is scheduled to reopen on 17 May but Jet2 said lack of clarity in the government's plans had forced it to delay journeys.

The travel group's shares fell 3.8% to £13.14.5 at 11:12 GMT.

The government's framework for restarting international travel, published on Friday, includes making all UK arrivals take pre- and post-departure Covid-19 tests. The post-arrival tests cost about £120 and this has prompted protests from the airline industry.

The framework, produced by a government taskforce, also keeps quarantine measures which apply to people differently depending on how risky the destination visited is judged to be.

"Because of the continued uncertainty following the release of the Global Travel Taskforce framework it is with a heavy heart that we have taken the decision to extend the suspension of flights and holidays up to and including 23 June," Jet2 Chief Executive Steve Heapy said.

"It has been over a year since international travel was first suspended because of the pandemic. Much has been achieved in that time, making it even more frustrating that we are still to receive a clear framework."

Heapy said the framework was little different than six months ago and left Jet2 in the dark about when it could resume flying, where to and the availability and cost of testing.