PORTUGAL has been removed from the green travel list with no new destinations added, delivering another blow to Southend Airport.

The airport launched its first flight of 2021 on Friday and only started flights to Faro, in Portugal, yesterday, the same day the UK Government announced changes.

In a blow for the travel industry, Portugal was removed from the green list and added the amber list as concerns were raised over Covid mutations and rising cases.

Seven countries including Egypt, Costa Rica and Sri Lanka will join the red list, while no new countries will be added to the green list, it was revealed by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

A spokesman for the airport said: “We are disappointed for those who have been hoping for a foreign holiday or those waiting to visit friends and relatives for over a year.

“However, we expect green lists to be updated throughout the summer as vaccines are rolled out across Europe, and are hopeful the next announcement at the end of June will include many routes operated by Ryanair from Southend Airport.

“The airport will be ready to welcome more and more passengers as countries get added to the green list over the coming months.”

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Ron Woodley, cabinet member for transport, admitted its a huge blow.

Mr Woodley, whose daughter is a pilot, said: “It really is a shame for people who will have booked their holidays which now wont happen.

“I also feel sorry for the people who work in the aviation industry and the airport itself - it was growing before the pandemic.

“There are jobs and people’s livelihoods involved, my thoughts go out to everyone affected.”

Councillor Daniel Cowan, who represents St Laurence ward, believes the move was right - although understands how frustrating the “stop start” nature of the pandemic has been.

He said: “I think the airport will be frustrated to see routes taken off the green list. But looking from a councillor point of view I think it’s the right thing to do.

“It can have an effect on jobs and businesses when things like this happen, but we have to follow what the scientists are telling us. It’s better to do it now and act early rather than to have a third wave which will again have a bigger knock-on effect.”