Ryanair (LON: RYA), easyJet (LON: EZJ) and British Airways (LON: IAG) have launched legal action against the UK government’s quarantine laws.
The UK’s three biggest airlines are seeking a judicial review of the new rules, which state that travellers arriving in the UK from Monday will have to self-isolate for 14 days.
In a joint statement, the airlines said: “This would be the most practical and effective solution, and enables civil servants to focus on other, more significant issues arising from the pandemic while bringing the UK in line with much of Europe which is opening its borders mid-June.”
The new rules are set to be reviewed on 29 June and according to the home secretary, Priti Patel, the rules are necessary to prevent a second wave of the Coronavirus.
British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair have requested a hearing as soon as possible. They are urging the government to introduce previous rules where only passengers from high-risk countries were asked to isolate on arrival.
Earlier this week Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, insisted the new government rules were “rubbish”.
The budget airline had previously said in a statement: “These measures are disproportionate and unfair on British citizens as well as international visitors arriving in the UK. We urge the government to remove this ineffective visitor quarantine which will have a devastating effect on UK’s tourism industry and will destroy even more thousands of jobs in this unprecedented crisis.”
As of 15 Monday, all passengers that will be arriving in the UK by plane, ferry or train will be asked to provide an address where they will self-isolate for the next 14 days.
If travellers refuse to provide a form with details, they risk being fined up to £100. In addition, surprise visits could risk travellers being fined £1,000 if it is found they are failing to self-isolate.
A list of those exempt from the new rules can be found here.
