Air traffic is declining as the new version of Covid introduces travel restrictions

Air traffic was lowered on Friday after the UK imposed restrictions on travel to southern Africa and the EU indicated plans to do so following the discovery of a new strain of coronavirus.

Owner of British Airways International Airlines Group lost 20 percent on initial sales, while EasyJet dropped 17 percent and Lufthansa lost 12 percent.

Sales increased significantly in most travel groups as shares of France’s Accor hotel group fell by 8 percent and InterContinental Hotels Groups by 7 percent.

UK late Thursday put six countries on their red list travel restrictions South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland – while the EU says it will ban travelers in the region.

The resurgence of global sanctions came as scientists expressed serious concern over the prevalence of highly mutated coronaviruses, B.1.1.529 Sars-Cov-2, amid fears over its ability to vaccinate and active distribution than the Delta race.

Airplanes and other airlines were already under pressure this month after several European governments introduced new bans on the region following a spate of diseases from major Delta states.

But the prospect of a return to restrictions that have spread around the world brings new concerns to the region that has recovered well over the past six months.

The massive tree damage on Friday sent several major airlines including IAG and EasyJet downhill since the launch of the Covid vaccine reopened the route to other countries late last year.