TUI Airways

[Coathanger16]

Don't know how I've come up with such an easy effective common sense system when our public servants cannot.

Sorry to continue drifting off topic on the TUI thread, but the answer to this is simple - they're s**t scared.

We're now getting "scientists" saying that the June 21st easing of restrictions, and even the 17th May easing, should be postponed over concerns about the Indian variant, and how the number of cases of that variant have tripled in the UK in the last week.

It is a well known fact that people from the Indian subcontinent have large, extended families, and often live with a large number of relatives. One person travelling back from India with the Indian variant could very easily pass it on to 10 other people that they live with. In that context, a tripling of cases is hardly surprising. Given India was put on the red list so late, people were able to travel back avoiding hotel quarantine and pass it on directly to those they lived with.

Current data also suggests that the Indian variant is not immune to our current vaccines, just that it is more infectious. Some scientists are even now suggesting that without action, the UK could end up similar to what India is currently like. The "concern" is that the variant could speed through the unvaccinated population, and with so many people infected, could lead to the virus mutating again to one that could evade the vaccine.

Back to the topic of travel, and I still hear many people rubbishing the idea of summer holidays this year, even calling those that do want to go away selfish. Yet they say they'll go away Summer 2022, and things will really bounce back then. They, selfishly frankly, overlook the fact that without a decent summer of travel THIS year, airlines like easyJet and TUI will likely not be around next summer.

 

[IanFarquharson]

The last thing the industry needs is another stop - start Summer.

But I think this will happen and countries will move up and down the Red, Amber, Green list.

I think Jet2 did the right thing pushing back till late June but I am not convinced even by then there will be anywhere near a full program.

 

[HPsauce]

Portugal have now decided to refuse inbound holiday flights until the end of May.

 

[KARFA]

Portugal have now decided to refuse inbound holiday flights until the end of May.

I know rumours are circulating on a “sources said” basis, but i don’t think a decision has been made yet.

 

[HPsauce]

According to BBC 6pm news Portugal have stopped flights from the UK. An EU ruling apparently banning flights to EU countries from non EU countries.

 

[KARFA]

According to BBC 6pm news Portugal have stopped flights from the UK. An EU ruling apparently banning flights to EU countries from non EU countries.

no they didn't. the reporter just stated it wasn't clear yet and no decision has yet been made. the section is at 18:09 onwards if anyone wants to check on iplayer.

she also said the current position is that non-essential travel in to Portugal from the UK is not allowed. that was always the case. and it was always the case they would be deciding the rules for next week during today/tomorrow - which is what it happening atm.

the EU doesn't control immigration policy of member states. Greece for example has already been letting non-EU citizens in for a while.

 

[HPsauce]

Their headlines at 6pm stated Portugal had halted the restart until end of May. I did see the later full story and accept what you say.

 

[Brum X]

What ever Portugal decides, I am very fast going off the idea of going to Gran Canaria in August, what's the friggin point.

Gotta do this, gotta do that, still gotta wear masks on the plane and in lots of places, that's no holiday and then the cost of the PCR test.

Nah, if the situation doesn't change quick, Im afraid I will be cancelling my holiday with Jet2 (sorry I know this is the TUI thread, lol) I won't even bother transferring it to next year, I am sick and tired of it all.

Beam me up scottie, get me out of this hell hole.

 

[IanFarquharson]

What ever Portugal decides, I am very fast going off the idea of going to Gran Canaria in August, what's the friggin point.

Gotta do this, gotta do that, still gotta wear masks on the plane and in lots of places, that's no holiday and then the cost of the PCR test.

Nah, if the situation doesn't change quick, Im afraid I will be cancelling my holiday with Jet2 (sorry I know this is the TUI thread, lol) I won't even bother transferring it to next year, I am sick and tired of it all.

Beam me up scottie, get me out of this hell hole.

Just not worth going abroad to Europe this year in my opinion.

 

[Brum X]

Just not worth going abroad to Europe this year in my opinion.

Exactly Ian, there is no point at all and this makes me sad as our airlines need us to go to Europe

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

You could move it into October @Brum X

I see no reason for why anyone shouldn't be going abroad this year. No reason European holidays should not be happening. The only reason it wont happen is politics.

Just so you are aware - all travel companies are looking to get a cheaper PCR test done if that is a requirement not that it should be if you're fully vaccinated. TUI have got it signed up, Jet2holidays/Jet2 are looking at it (according Travel Weekly) and I have a good feeling BA/easyJet and Ryanair (even Ryanair) may follow suit. Though I suspect for Ryanair they'd have to make some money out of it too.

 

[KARFA]

Their headlines at 6pm stated Portugal had halted the restart until end of May. I did see the later full story and accept what you say.

Thanks. Yes so what is causing the confusion is that they have extended their domestic status of calamity (yes it is called that!) until the end of May. This doesn’t automatically mean continuation of current entry restrictions, and they are still deciding on that - could go either way. I guess not ideal if you have plans to go on Monday.

 

[CM.]

Exactly Ian, there is no point at all and this makes me sad as our airlines need us to go to Europe

I partially agree with yourself and the other user but what you have to remember is that businesses abroad aswell as airlines like TUI are struggling with all these border closures. I understand health is the number one priority but so is people jobs and you have to test before you go anyway, as long as people follow the guidelines set out such as testing, masks and social distancing where they can i don’t see an issue with travelling abroad this year.

 

[Brum X]

You could move it into October @Brum X

I see no reason for why anyone shouldn't be going abroad this year. No reason European holidays should not be happening. The only reason it wont happen is politics.

Just so you are aware - all travel companies are looking to get a cheaper PCR test done if that is a requirement not that it should be if you're fully vaccinated. TUI have got it signed up, Jet2holidays/Jet2 are looking at it (according Travel Weekly) and I have a good feeling BA/easyJet and Ryanair (even Ryanair) may follow suit. Though I suspect for Ryanair they'd have to make some money out of it too.

But why would I m ove it to October ?? There is no guarantee that October will be any better, by the end of July/August we could get another variant and they find out the vaccines don't work and then we will be eback to square one. Nothing is certain until we have had years and years of this until we eventually find out what works and what doesn't ??? We are only at the start of a very long cycle

Sorry to sound so negative.

 

[Brum X]

I partially agree with yourself and the other user but what you have to remember is that businesses abroad aswell as airlines like TUI are struggling with all these border closures. I understand health is the number one priority but so is people jobs and you have to test before you go anyway, as long as people follow the guidelines set out such as testing, masks and social distancing where they can i don’t see an issue with travelling abroad this year.

But that is the BIG problem plane watcher, I want to go on holiday, I don't want to wear face masks and I certainly don't want to have to social distance. That is not my kind of holiday.

 

[CM.]

But that is the BIG problem plane watcher, I want to go on holiday, I don't want to wear face masks and I certainly don't want to have to social distance. That is not my kind of holiday.

You have valid points there @Brum X I also don’t want to wear face coverings or social distance it’s not a “normal” holiday. But if they allowed us to travel on holiday with these rules then I would accept that as at least we can go on holiday, and it’s also good for Tui and other airlines as they are getting the customers and for the buissness abroad such as resturants which are getting money by customers going to them.

 

[Coathanger16]

Just a quick reminder for anyone thinking of not going on holiday this year and leaving it until 2022:

In 2020:

easyJet: £1.3bn loss
TUI Group: £6.8bn loss
IAG: £5.9bn loss

Either governments are going to have to stump up £bns to pay out to airlines, or the travel industry will be history.

Meanwhile in America:

Covid: Biden hails 'great day' as he sheds mask in Oval Office

The president removes his mask in the Oval Office as the new health guidance is announced.

www.bbc.co.uk

Masks are no longer required if you're fully vaccinated - how on earth is America being more sensible on this than us? Back in the UK, scientists are wanting to delay the easing of lockdown because of a variant the vaccine still works against?

 

[JENNYJET]

.....because the British like to do things their own way and sod everyone else. Or it is fear of messing things up. A blunderbus for a PM, govern by committee and fear of the media and pollsters. Take your pick folks!

 

[CM.]

And let’s not forget that this government has not helped aviation or travel in any form whatsoever, or if they have it’s been bareminimal. And the least amount of help out of all industries.

 

[JENNYJET]

How to help aviation? Anything that offers airlines assistance will be jumped on by activists and green leaning politicians seeking to mitigate climate concerns. Does one abolish APD or maybe cover landing fees temporarily or navigation charges perhaps? Others are best qualified to consider such things but the Government have boxed themselves in with the Climate legislation and possibly cannot do much for legal reasons.