International Airlines Group (IAG) and Virgin Atlantic have put their support behind legal action that is challenging the lack of transparency around how the UK government classifies countries under its traffic light framework.

A study from the European Travel Commission (ETC) indicates that 70% of respondents are planning to travel in the next six months, up from 56% in February.

The development is welcome news for airlines on both sides of the pond hoping for a recovery in transatlantic travel.

Irish LCC Ryanair, Manchester Airports Group (MAG) and other unnamed major UK airlines are backing a court case against the UK government’s traffic-light system of coronavirus travel restrictions.

Travelers fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should not be subject to testing or quarantine except in particular circumstances, according to EASA and the European Center for Disease Control.

British Airways (BA) CEO Sean Doyle has appealed to the UK government to take advantage of the country’s successful COVID-19 vaccine roll-out to restart air services. 

Created as part of the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March 2021, the program makes available $3 billion in total payroll support for aviation manufacturing companies that furloughed workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a stark contrast with U.S. domestic leisure travel, which is projected to reach 99% of its pre-pandemic peak in 2022 and then continue to grow, only about 35% of U.S. companies are currently engaging in any business-related travel.