Aviation analyst Alex Macheras has accused the Government of making up the guidelines “as they go along”. He told BBC Newsnight: “What the UK has essentially done tonight is introduce another category to the traffic light system that was supposed to have three - hence it being named the ‘traffic light system’.

       “They’re introducing this kind of amber plus, dark amber, burnt orange… whatever category name you want to call it… a bespoke quarantine package purely for France with - according to the airline chief that I’ve spoken with since the news broke - little understanding as to exactly why this has happened.

       “Yes, France have that slight increase in the beta variant cases - the majority occurring on Reunion Island…

       “The airline chiefs are saying that it’s just further examples that this Government simply continues to make up the rules as they go along.”

       Mr Macheras pointed out that one of the factors which infuriated the travel industry is the supposed “influence of politics at play”.

       He added: “The whole thing is shrouded in mystery.

       “How do we know that there are not so many other countries that are perhaps not red list candidates but exact candidates like France to end up in this new, in-between list.

       “It’s not necessarily the measures that bring fury to the aviation and travel sector.

       “It is the lack of consistency and clarity, and of course, the influence of politics at play.

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