Virgin, BA back legal challenge to government’s handling of traffic light system
The legal challenge to the government’s traffic light decision-making by Manchester Airports Group and Ryanair has garnered support from British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
According to a legal filing the two airlines are in support of a legal review, the Telegraph reported.
The challenge seeks clarity in how government officials are grading countries in the three tiers.
The legal papers filed on behalf of MAG target Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps as defendants.
MAG states the government should disclose unambiguously how it makes the decisions and should release the supporting data it uses.
MAG is the owner of London Stansted, East Midlands and Manchester airports.
"The current opaque way that decisions are being made is undermining consumer confidence in the traffic-light system and makes it impossible for airports, airlines and other travel companies to plan for the recovery," MAG said in a statement.
"The government is not being open and we simply cannot understand how it is making decisions."
Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary has called the government’s handling a ‘shambles’ which is ‘frustrating and upsetting millions of British families.’
The government’s next traffic light reassessment of countries takes place on 24 June.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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