EasyJet, BA add more seats to Portugal as holidaymakers rush to get home

LONDON, June 4 (Reuters) - EasyJet and British
Airways said on Friday they were adding more seats and
flights from Portugal to Britain over the next three days to
allow customers to return home to avoid quarantine after an
abrupt change in British travel rules.

Airlines and travel companies criticised Britain's decision
on Thursday to remove Portugal from its quarantine-free safe
travel list, saying it would devastate trade and last minute
changes made planning for customers and business impossible.

But Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary earlier shrugged
off industry worries about a second lost summer, saying that by
July unrestricted travel would return.

The Portuguese rule change sparked a rush of passengers
trying to get home before the deadline of 0300 GMT on June 8.
After that time means travellers must undergo 10 days of
self-isolation on arrival in Britain plus pay for additional
COVID-19 tests.

EasyJet said it would add hundreds of extra seats by
switching to larger aircraft and was considering adding extra
flights, while British Airways said it was increasing the number
of flights from Portugal to help customers get home.

"As a result of the government's sudden announcement placing
Portugal on the amber list from next week, we are currently
reviewing our flying programme to the country in the coming
days," easyJet said in a statement on Friday.

Airlines and travel companies already weakened by 15 months
of lockdowns and restrictions now face a fresh wave of
cancellations for trips to Portugal, which since May 17 had been
the main vacation option open to British travellers.
(Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by Michael Holden)