“It will soon be the time when we will quarantine people coming into the country by air.” The words of Boris Johnson Prime Minster speaking to the nation last night.

No specific timetable and clearly a cautious projection with the future unclear. A political move, whereby he can jump either way if necessary.

Had he imposed a 14-day quarantine the outburst would be unequalled. Why not the same rules for sea crossing or Eurostar the air travel industry would have hollered.

Airlines UK had already made their case. “We do not believe that closing off air travel to and from the UK through a 14-day quarantine is the way to go.”

The pilots' union BALPA says it is concerned that health and safety of aircrew and passengers, and the effectiveness and commercial impacts of schemes such as day quarantine periods, have not been thoroughly thought through.

Brian Strutton, BALPA general secretary, said “We haven’t seen the scientific basis for the possible 14 day quarantine proposal, nor any risk assessments for the health and wellbeing of crew.

"There are too many open questions. What is the Government's plan for aviation? How does it all fit together? Is the UK acting consistently with other jurisdictions or going it alone? And crucially, will the government pay for airlines to fly inefficiently due to the government's imposed restrictions?"

Dale Keller, chief executive of BAR UK said “The restart and recovery of aviation is an essential component in getting the UK economy moving again. Flying can only recommence in any meaningful way once the 14 day self-isolation requirement is superseded by a carefully coordinated and internationally harmonised approach, incorporating a series of multi-layered and more effective measures that better target and mitigate risk, and provide the confidence that flying is safe.”

The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) speaks for 70 scheduled airlines in the UK in their dealings with government, government departments, regulators and airport operators.