The number of international flights from the UK to the UK was reduced by 71% due to travel restrictions in response the the coronavirus pandemic.

Cirium Aviation Analytics reported that approximately 406,060 international flight served UK airports from December 22 to 2021, compared with the 1,399.170 for the period before 2019.

International travel has not been able to recover from the crisis due to quarantine and testing requirements. There were also fears that additional countries would be added to the redlist, which required mandatory hotel quarantine.

The UK has changed the rules of entry for individuals arriving throughout the year.

At the moment, travellers who have been fully immunized must pass a pre-departure screening and then self-isolate to wait for a positive result at their post-arrival testing.

Persons who have not been fully vaccinated should be isolated for at least 10 days following their arrival.

Ryanair was able to connect with the majority of UK flights, approximately 101,420.

EasyJet came in second with 82.850 passengers, and British Airways was in third place with 77.460. 

Ryanair operated with most UK flights - around 101,420 - followed by EasyJet then by BA

Ryanair served most UK flights, approximately 101.420. EasyJet was next followed by BA.

The rules for people arriving in the UK have changed throughout the year amid confusion

There has been confusion about the UK’s immigration rules throughout the year.

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue operated a total of 2,410 flights by the end of 2021

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines operated 2,410 flights between the beginning of 2021, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue.

The most popular international route from the UK in 2021 was London Heathrow to New York’s JFK, despite the US only reopening its borders in November.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flew 2,410 total flights along the route between the beginning of the year. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and JetBlue also operated the flight.

Common Travel Area was home to the most popular international routes. It includes Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.

These passengers arrived in the UK via these routes without being subject to any quarantine or testing.

Comparatively to 2019, the number of domestic flights in the UK fell by nearly 60%

The busiest route was in Cornwall, between Land’s End and St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly, which saw 2,330 flights. 

This terrible news is just one day after experts in travel and tourism called on the Government to lift prohibitive entry requirements to the UK. They were branded ‘rapidly outdated’ and ‘no justification’.

Currently people have to take a COVID-19 test 2 days before travel to England and an often expensive PCR test on day 2 or before.  

Travel experts united today to ask why testing was still happening amid no other restrictions

Today, travel experts gathered to discuss why test results were still being performed despite no restrictions

Currently two often expensive tests are required for entry to the UK by tourists and residents

For residents and tourists to enter the UK, they will need to pass two expensive exams. 

These regulations were put in place to limit the Omicron coronavirus variant, which has been running wild throughout the country.

Boris Johnson’s government has not imposed any restrictions on Covid despite the fact that there are more than 100,000 cases each day.

This has baffled experts in travel to ask why the transport regulations that intended to reduce it are still being implemented and are causing havoc to the industry.

MailOnline was informed by Paul Charles, the chief executive at The PC Agency travel consulting firm: “The evidence isn’t there right now to support such restrictions coming into Britain.

“The UK’s pre-departure tests are not justified because the rules lack evidence. No-one needs to monitor Omicron coming in – it’s already here.

The PM must remove as much pre-departure testing as possible and convert day 2 to a simpler lateral flow test.

‘Omicron is less dangerous than Delta – so why are the rules more severe than they were in Delta times?

‘The rules in place have rapidly become out of date and they need to be removed urgently – there is no justification for them.’

Kurt Janson from the Tourism Alliance said testing was a problem for the industry.

He added: “They make it hard for it for international travel sector, whether it is inbound or export to function in a reasonable way.

“It’s something that must be solved. From the inboard tourism perspective there is £30bn the UK earns – that’s been down 80% over the past year.

“Resolving restrictions on international travel must be accomplished. There is a government tourism recovery plan. It aims to bring figures back up to the 2019 level by 2023.

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, questioned the tests

Paul Charles (chief executive of The PC Agency), questioned the tests

Coronavirus figures showed that the virus variant is now widespread throughout the UK

Coronavirus statistics showed that the virus variant has become increasingly common in the UK.

“Seeing as we have one the highest Omicron levels in the country, is it really worth getting people to do a second day test?

“The rationale exists in Omicron levels elsewhere, but it is not clear for UK residents. It is worth questioning the country’s benefits.

A spokesperson for ABTA asked why the tests continued to be in place. 

The Government always stated that Omicron is a widely used variant of the Omicron and there are no reasons to keep international travel restrictions in place.

“It is crucial that we remove the extra testing requirements as soon as possible in accordance with medical and scientific advice. We are rapidly approaching the important booking season for next year.

‘With average annual revenue across the travel industry down by nearly 80% on pre-crisis levels – even before Omicron emerged – the Government must also urgently consider the case for furlough and other income support, especially if travel restrictions are going to be maintained for any significant period.’

Thousands of holidays for Britons during the festive period – including cruises and Austrian skiing trips – have been cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions imposed by destinations. 

We don’t expect any measures to be scrapped before at least January.  Even with the promise of a review every three weeks by the Department for Transport, there have been suggestions they’ll be in place for two or three months,’ one senior aviation insider told The Times.

This month’s introduction of tests was described by aviation officials as a devastating blow to the travel industry. Officials stated that it is impossible to plan for future changes in entry requirements due to rapid progress. 

Travel testing is expected to be reexamined by the Government on January 5, and may be reduced depending on data.