Spain lifts travel restrictions for UK—as one in five of us plan to fly abroad this summer

International travel was given the go-ahead on Monday, with flights starting to green list countries including Portugal and Iceland.

Now Spain has revealed it will welcome UK travellers, without a negative PCR test, from next Monday, despite still being on the UK's amber list. 

And while some of us are happy to have a UK staycation, research has shown that, despite the travel restrictions, one in five Brits plan to book and travel abroad this summer.

Holidaymakers who normally head to Spain for some summer sun will be delighted at the news—but, as the country is still on the UK’s amber list it means we’ll have to quarantine for 10 days on our return.

Spain has however topped a list for the most popular holiday destination when things return to normal. The survey, by L3Harris Airline Academy showed that nearly a fifth (19%) of UK holidaymakers will be booking a holiday to Spain. Spain is followed by the United States, Greece and Italy.

The survey, which was commissioned to gauge how people feel about air travel and the impact this will have on demand for pilots, also showed that more than half of adults in Britain have booked or are considering booking a holiday abroad, with one in five planning to travel within the next three months.

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Despite the interest and the Spanish government giving the go-ahead for travel, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “We’ve been clear people shouldn’t be travelling to amber list [nations] for the purpose of holidays. Our advice hasn't changed. We will keep the green list under review… and will add countries where possible.”

But those in the industry see the news and stats as a positive: “It is encouraging to see that people across the UK have booked, or are considering booking to fly, within the coming months,” said Robin Glover-Faure, vice-president at L3Harris. “This has been a difficult year for all, but there is light at the end of the tunnel for the aviation industry.” 

Two weeks ago when Transport Secretary Grant Shapps released details on where UK travellers could go on holiday, bookings for Portugal went “through the roof”.

Along with other countries, including Gibraltar, Singapore and Israel, Portugal was added to the green list, meaning that UK travellers are okay to travel there and back without quarantine.