British Airways cuts winter schedule

LONDON - British Airways slashed more than 2,000 flights from its schedule through the winter season as the UK tightens travel rules. From Tuesday 4:00 GMT everyone from the age of 12 will be required to produce a negative PCR or antigen test taken within a 48 hours pre-departure window.

New travel restrictions take a toll on British Airways. According to data analytics firm Cirium British Airways cut 2,144 flights from its winter schedule last week, more than half of that in January alone.

The UK Government introduced new testing regimes for travellers arriving from Tuesday and added additional Nigeria to its list for red-flag Covid-19 countries. Travellers from red-flag country must report to ten day hotel quarantine upon arrival.

The pre-arrival test must be taken within 48 hours before departure time and is followed by a test upon arrival. The new rules are meant to curb the spread of new Covid-19 variant Omicron within the UK.