Travel stocks hit by UK’s French quarantine move; China retail sales keep falling – business live

Airlines UK, which represents the biggest carriers, said the decision was “another devastating blow to the travel industry already reeling from the worst crisis in its history”.

It urged the government to bring in a new testing regime and change its approach to quarantine to end its “broad-brush, weekly stop-and-go changes to travel corridors at a national level, which have proven so disruptive to airlines and passengers alike.”

The travel association Abta said the news would result in livelihoods being lost unless the government could help the industry. A spokesman said: “The announcements relating to Spain and now France impact the two biggest destinations for British holidaymakers at the height of the summer season. At this time of recession, a plan is urgently needed to protect the 221,000 jobs the travel industry sustains.”

The British Ports Association said it was “extremely disappointing news” that would cause much disruption and hit passenger operators hard.