The pilots union said reports the British government was working on the concept was an "excellent sign".

The Times on Friday (5 February) reported several government departments, including the Foreign Office, Department for Transport and Department of Health, were assessing options for travellers heading to countries that may demand Covid vaccination as a condition of entry.

It comes after Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday (4 February) hinted Greece’s plans to reopen its tourism industry would be “dependent on the pace of vaccination" in its main source markets.

Balpa said a vaccine passport regime could "rescue this year’s holiday season and allow people to get away".

Last week, former UK prime minister Tony Blair said the UK government should take the lead on establishing a global vaccine passport initiative through the G7; the UK will host the next G7 summit, scheduled for 11-13 June and to be held in Cornwall.

"Talk of a British vaccine passport to rescue this year’s holidays is great news, but a global scheme would be even better," said Balpa.

General secretary Brian Strutton added: “We know the vaccine is our way out of this pandemic, but it may also be out way out of the crisis for our travel sector.

"People are desperate to get travelling again, and if a vaccine passport is what is needed, then we fully support it.

“What would be better still is a globally-recognised vaccine passport. Many actors are working on their own version, but we need a global solution to this global problem. 

“In any case, we hope the British vaccine passport will be ready to go soon so people can start booking with confidence and looking forward to jetting away on their holiday once again.”