Ryanair Holdings PLC (LON:RYA) is expecting other airlines and airports will join its High Court challenge against the UK government over its traffic light system for international travel.
Hoping to force a relaxation of the rules ahead of the all-important summer holiday season, the Irish budget carrier has so far joined up with Stansted airport owner Manchester Airports Group.
Papers will be filed at England's High Court today, in order to seek clarity over the transparency of the system, the pair said.
Other airlines are expected to join the legal action.
“The UK’s traffic light system has been a complete shambles from the beginning,” said Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary.
“This go-stop-go-stop policy is causing untold damage to the aviation industry and frustrating and upsetting millions of British families when they see their holiday plans and family visits disrupted by the government’s mismanagement of international travel.
“We call on prime minister Boris Johnson to explain the scientific basis behind this system that the government seem to make up as they go along and to establish a data-driven transparent model that could restore confidence in air travel ahead of the very crucial peak summer months.”
A government spokesperson said it cannot comment on legal proceedings.
“We recognise this is a challenging period for the sector, as we seek to balance the timely reopening of international travel while safeguarding public health and protecting the vaccine roll-out,” the government said in a statement.
Ryanair often takes to Europe's courts to try and force its points.
The Irish airline has filed 16 lawsuits against the European Commission for allowing billions of state aid and national government payouts to individual airlines including Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Portugal’s TAP and Scandinavia’s SAS.