Britain races to book holidays after Covid testing relaxed

Travel industry relieved as interest in trips abroad surges after PM announced rule changes

Travel firms and airlines have reported surging bookings following the relaxation of Covid testing requirements for travellers returning to the UK.

EasyJet said there were almost three times as many flights bought in the UK in the hours following the prime minister’s announcement on Wednesday than in the same period the week before, while holiday firm TUI said there had been “an immediate and strong uptick in bookings”.