New BA boss calls for quarantine to be replaced by test before flying

The new boss of British Airways has demanded that the self-isolation requirement for international arrivals is replaced by Covid-19 tests before departure.

Sean Doyle, who was appointed chief executive last week, told the Airlines 2050 summit of industry leaders that “we do not believe quarantine is the solution”.

He said: “We believe the best way to reassure people is to introduce a reliable and affordable test before flying.

“For the UK, this approach reduces the stress on the NHS testing systems within the UK and on policing the quarantine system.

“If we look abroad to our near neighbours, we see that business travel and indeed tourism is being prioritised by some countries.

“We need to get the economy moving again and this just isn’t possible when you’re asking people to quarantine for 14 days.

“It’s our view that even if that quarantine period is reduced to seven days, people won’t travel here and the UK will get left behind.”