USA holidays could be back on the cards for Brits later this summer, according to one travel expert.
Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency has revealed that the UK and US governments are currently in talks regarding introducing a form of 'travel corridor' between the countries - and it could be in place by June.
He told the Daily Mail : "The UK/US governments are in negotiations at the moment which are proceeding positively, about a possible pilot bilateral corridor scheme to enable safe travel between the two countries after the end of May.
"One of the (eight) Global Travel Taskforce workstreams is called 'Engaging with other like-minded countries' - these are countries such as the US which have advanced vaccine rollout programmes and are focused on reducing infection and variant rates.
"The Biden Administration has also been consulting in the US about opening up borders in advance of American Independence Day in July."
© Getty Images/iStockphotoA young blonde woman at The Statue of Liberty in New York.
There was some more hope for holidaymakers this week as Aer Lingus announced new direct flights from Manchester to New York, Orlando and Boston. The New York and Orlando routes are currently expected to launch from July 29, with fares already available to book from £199 each way (based on a return ticket).
At the time of writing, travelling abroad for a holiday continues to be banned for Brits as part of lockdowns in the UK, and new coronavirus laws are coming into force rendering this illegal with rule-breakers facing fines of £5,000.
© Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesTravellers look at the departures board at an almost deserted departures hall at Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport
Under England's lockdown roadmap it's hoped that foreign travel could resume from May 17 at the earliest. This will be subject to a review by the government's Global Travel Taskforce which will look at four key factors to come to a decision, which it is due to share in April.
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Meanwhile, the US continues to keep its borders closed to anyone who has been in the UK within 14 days of travel, while the Foreign Office advises against non-essential travel to the "whole of the US based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks".
You can find out more information in the Foreign Office's USA travel advice.
Will you be planning a trip to the USA this summer if restrictions were lifted? Let us know in the comments below.