Airline shares lower as UK ‘green list’ disappoints By Investing.com

By Samuel Indyk

Investing.com – Shares in European airlines fell on Monday morning after the UK government announced its green list of countries available for international travel from May 17th.

The green list refers to countries where travellers from the England will not have to quarantine on arrival back in the UK.

The announcement of a traffic light system means international travel will not be illegal from 17th May.

Green list

Only 12 countries made it on to the green list. Those countries include Portugal, Israel, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the most popular holiday destinations for UK travellers in 2019 are not included. Spain, France, and Italy are all included on the amber list of countries, meaning travellers will have to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival back in the UK.

Those travelling back from countries in either the amber or green list will have to take a private PCR test before returning to the UK and take a test on or before day 2 of their arrival back in the UK. Those returning from countries on the amber list will also have to take a test on day eight.

Turkey, where the Champions League final is due to be played between two English clubs on 29th May, was put on the red list. This means travellers returning must book a 10-day hotel quarantine and testing package upon returning to the UK, at the cost of the passenger.

“We must make sure the countries we reconnect with are safe,” UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.

The UK government will review the lists of countries ever three weeks.

Airlines

With Spain, France, and Italy all on the amber list, travel to those countries will likely be minimal due to the restrictions on returning passengers.

The news has disappointed airlines with EasyJet (LON:EZJ), Ryanair (LON:RYA), Wizz Air (LON:WIZZ), and British Airways parent IAG (LON:ICAG) all falling by over 2% in early trade.

Travel tour operators Tui (LON:TUIT) and Jet2 (LON:JET2) have also seen shares decline following Friday’s announcement.

WH Smith (LON:SMWH) shares have also fallen following the news as the company operates concessions in most major UK airports.