In the aviation world, one of Manchester airport’s terminals was evacuated on Tuesday (19 October) due to a “suspicious” package, while airlines have vowed to oppose a planned 53% rise in passenger fees at Heathrow from next year.

There is mixed news on Covid restrictions, with Hawaii set to reopen to tourists from 1 November, but Russia looking to tighten rules as its infections reach record levels.

Here are the headlines travel woke up to Wednesday (20 October)

Travel testing to stay until new year, says Shapps

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed that testing for fully vaccinated travellers will remain in place until at least the start of 2022. Shapps said this testing was vital to “maintain surveillance on our borders”, despite industry calls for the requirement to be dropped to bring the UK into line with rules across Europe. (The Times)

Manchester airport terminal reopens after security alert

Manchester airport’s Terminal 2 has reopened after reports of a suspicious package led to the terminal’s closure and evacuation on Tuesday afternoon (19 October). Police sent a bomb disposal team to the airport but eventually found there was “no security threat” from the package. (The Guardian)

NHS chiefs urge govt to bring back Covid rules as cases soar

Some Covid restrictions should be reintroduced immediately if England is to avoid “stumbling into a winter crisis”, the NHS Confederation has warned. The health service body said the government’s “plan B” back-up strategy, including the use of mandatory face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces, should be reimposed now. (BBC News)

Airline fury at Heathrow passenger charge rise

UK-based airlines have vowed to “oppose in the strongest terms” the CAA’s decision to allow Heathrow to raise passenger charges by 53%. The CAA has increased the cap on passenger fees at the UK’s hub airport from £19.60 per passenger to £30 from January 2022. (The Independent)

Hawaii set to welcome back tourists as cases drop

The Pacific islands plan to welcome back holidaymakers and other visitors from 1 November following a sharp fall in Covid cases. Hawaii’s governor had asked travellers to avoid the destination in August when the US state was suffering from a surge in Delta variant infections. (Sky News)

Moscow imposes new Covid curbs as daily deaths break record

The Russian capital is introducing four months of “stay at home” restrictions for unvaccinated people aged over 60. While the country’s government is considering a one-week workplace shutdown as the daily death toll from Covid hit another daily high. (Reuters)