Covid: Heathrow to trial fast-tracking vaccinated arrivals

Two of the world's biggest airlines will trial fast-track lanes at Heathrow airport for fully-vaccinated arrivals.

Under the scheme passengers on four routes will be able to upload their vaccination status before boarding.

The trial by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic comes as the aviation industry calls for quarantine-free travel to the UK from lower-risk amber list countries.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is set to announce such a scheme this week.

The trial, due to start this weekend, will allow passengers who are fully vaccinated and are travelling on selected flights to Heathrow from Athens, Los Angeles, Montego Bay and New York to show proof of their vaccination status.

Those taking part in the trial will still have to follow all the rules according to the government's traffic light system; book all the required tests and quarantine if they come from an amber list country.

People taking part will be able to use a dedicated arrivals lane at the UK border.

It is hoped the trial will "reassure" the government that airlines and airports can check vaccine status away from the border, which would reduce pressure on UK immigration halls.