EasyJet and TUI updates policies and travel rules changed for Omicron

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Britain has to take costly day two PCR tests and remain self-isolating until receiving a negative result with all arrivals into the U.K. from Tuesday 4:00 a.m. EasyJet and TUI updates policies on rebooking flights and holidays after travel rules were changed to prevent the spread of the Omicron COVID variant. The Scottish and Welsh government calls for the rules to tighten further.

Their policies to allow customers to change flight plans had extended from the end of the year into 2022. Until 13^th March, bookings can be changed for free up to two hours before departure. A separate “travel restriction protection” policy allows a refund where a holiday affected by lockdown travel ban or hotel quarantine is extended to the end of December 2022. Airports and airlines need to adapt to the challenges of new variants: “The travel sector has been reeling under the pressure of covid-19 and its variants for nearly two years now. Demonstrate the preparedness to safely enable seamless and less-intrusive travel, build consumer confidence to return to airports, board aircraft, and venture out onto their destinations.

Contactless biometric-based technologies are the key here – both for consumers to regain confidence and for airports and airlines to effectively manage crowds and cut down bottlenecks created by the additional paperwork. Implement touchless automated technologies, passengers can confidently walk into the airport and speed through the processes, from check-in to boarding. For airports, border control agencies, and airlines, Digital ID wallets also present an opportunity to reduce paperwork, and seamlessly integrate all relevant passenger information into a digital profile – including identity documents, biometrics, identity-bonded covid-19 test results, and vaccine certificates.

Airports and airlines which are investing now in upgrading their infrastructure to seamless travel technologies are getting ahead of the curve, will stand to withstand periodical pressures from the evolving pandemic and its variants, and ultimately recover the fastest.” TUI said customers due to travel up to and including 19th December could amend their holiday free of charge. Passengers who booked to go to Switzerland which is imposing a 10-day quarantine on U.K. visitors effectively wiping out many breaks- offers a full refund or switch to a later date said, Thomas Cook. The introduction of the mandatory PCR tests has been described as a “huge blow” to the travel industry as it struggles to get back on its feet after more than a year and a half of restrictions.

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