Major airlines Ryanair, British Airways, and Tui have condemned new travel rules that have been introduced due to the rise of the Omicron coronavirus variant. 

The airlines and travel companies expressed their concerns saying the rules are "haphazard and disproportionate". 

The new rules mean everyone entering the UK must show proof of a negative pre-departure test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result from a PCR test. 

Plus anyone arriving from the 11 African countries on the red list must 11 nights in a quarantine hotel, costing £2,285 for solo travellers. 

News Shopper: Tui is one of the airlines that has written to Boris Johnson. (PA)Tui is one of the airlines that has written to Boris Johnson. (PA)

In a letter addressed to Boris Johnson, seven airline and travel chief executives accused the PM of breaking his promises to fix the expensive cost of PCR tests for travellers. 

Saying that: "as leaders of UK airlines, we are deeply concerned about the haphazard and disproportionate approach by government to travel restrictions following the emergence of the omicron variant."

The group added that the timing of restrictions so close to Christmas has "undermined customer sentiment."

Adding that: "the layering of additional travel restrictions, introduced at short notice without consultation or discernible strategy, have disrupted Christmas plans and (undermined) customer sentiment just before the crucial Christmas and New Year booking season."

The groups including Easyjet, Virgin Atlantic and Jet2 ended the letter by asking to meet with the PM to prevent the "killing off" of the travel industry.