Britain bringing in quarantine hotels would have ‘huge ramifications’ for the aviation sector, industry experts have warned.  

The Government is said to be considering the measure — which could see all international arrivals to the UK forced to stay in isolation at hotels at their own expense — in an effort to combat the spread of new coronavirus variants, like those discovered in Brazil and South Africa. 

But aviation bosses warned that the ‘catastrophic’ move would batter travel businesses already ‘on their knees’, claiming ministers were ignoring the industry’s needs.

It comes ahead of a meeting of the Government’s Covid-O committee on Tuesday, which Boris Johnson will chair to decide on stricter rules for arriving travellers.

A Heathrow spokesman said: ‘We support measures that will bring the Covid-19 crisis to an end once and for all.

‘However, we must be clear that a blanket hotel quarantine is effectively the closure of our borders which carries huge ramifications for Britain and its aviation sector, already on its knees.’

The airport also urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to ‘finally deliver on his promise of a comprehensive financial support package for UK aviation’.

Its spokesman went on: ‘It is completely unacceptable that an industry worst hit has watched on as others, fortunate to experience a boom in profits and no restrictions, have been afforded unnecessary financial support as we remain ignored.’

Airport and airline trade bodies issued a joint statement insisting that the UK already has ‘some of the highest levels of restrictions in the world’, claiming that introducing tougher rules would be ‘catastrophic’.

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, and Tim Alderslade, who leads Airlines UK, said: ‘We have fully supported the Government to do what is right in the face of this pandemic, but policy should be based on evidence and there must be a roadmap out of these restrictions as soon as it is safe.

‘The impact of further measures would be catastrophic.

‘They will impact vital freight and PPE (personal protective equipment) supplies and jeopardise tens of thousands of jobs and the many businesses that depend on aviation.

‘The Government cannot achieve its global Britain aspirations without airlines and airports.’

Quarantine hotels have been hailed for their impact in controlling the spread of the virus in various countries around the world, notably in Australasia.

Aviation consultant John Strickland suggested that a blanket policy on quarantine hotels would ‘add to the whole challenge about confidence and certainty’.

He said: ‘Nobody is going to book a trip somewhere if they think they’re going to have a two-week hotel bill when they come back.

‘And airlines are certainly not in a position to pay for it.’

Mr Strickland expressed his dismay at the Government’s refusal to take a ‘co-ordinated approach’ with the aviation industry.

‘They’re doing things seemingly without much or any consultation – that are immensely damaging,’ he added.

Asked about quarantine hotels at the Downing Street press conference on Monday evening, Health Secretary Matt Hancock would not be drawn about whether now was the time to implement the policy. 

He said it is ‘reasonable to take a precautionary principle’ but did not directly answer the question.

Mr Hancock said: ‘I think it is incredibly important that we are cautious at the border.

‘It is important that we protect from new variants should they have vaccine evasion, and it is also reasonable to take a precautionary principle to protect this country whilst we work on the science and the analysis of the different variants that are discovered around the world.’

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