Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) reacts after a defensive stop during fourth-quarter action against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 25, 2025 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Cashman celebrated as the crowd roared late in the divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Every offseason, the Minnesota Vikings extend at least one player’s contract earlier than expected. For example, Minnesota handed outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel an extra $23 million in 2025. That will happen again in 2026. The following is a list of candidates.
Vikings extension talks could heat up quickly, because a few core starters already sit at the intersection of timing and roster need.
Free agency will get underway in three weeks, so between now and the end of May, expect these four men to be in line for possible extensions.
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Early Extension Candidates for the Vikings in 2026
Who’s due for more years and money a bit early? These are the candidates in alphabetical order.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) reacts following a snap on Dec 22, 2024, at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, during a fourth-quarter sequence against the Seahawks. Cashman turns toward the sideline as the play finishes, emotion visible in a tight late-game moment. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.
1. Blake Cashman (LB)
If Cashman hadn’t missed four games due to injury in 2025, his 11.07 tackles per game pace would’ve translated to 188 in a full season, which would be the eighth-most in a season in NFL history. Somehow, Cashman’s 2025 campaign flew under the radar, even for the most ardent Vikings fans.
Now, he has one year left on his contract. The Eden Prairie just feels like a guy who will spend the rest of his career in Minnesota, and the fantastic production does little to refute that theory.
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Cashman earns $7.5 million per season. Before too long, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski will probably extend his contract by two years and $20 million or so.
2. Jonathan Greenard (OLB)
The Vikings signed Greenard to a four-year contract during the 2024 offseason, which is wonderful — but his guaranteed money ran out last season. Seeking to restructure some players’ contracts to ease the salary cap pain, Minnesota will probably extend Greenard, pay him fair market value, and let him continue his run in Minnesota.
Some have floated Greenard in fancy trade theories to Cincinnati for Joe Burrow, but in reality, Burrow probably isn’t for sale, and the Vikings value Greenard. It’s not wise to get rid of EDGE rushers when a team is plotting a path back to the postseason.
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Greenard was the butt of “almost sack” jokes in 2025 because so many of his pressures failed to bring down the quarterback; he’ll seek a bounce-back campaign in 2026, at least for the sack numbers. All the rest of the stats for Greenard were top-notch.
Look for Minnesota to add $23 million to $25 million to Greenard’s deal, likely spreading the money out over future years.
Star Tribune‘sBen Goessling wrote about Greenard’s contract this week, “Greenard is coming off shoulder surgery, and given how important he’s been to the Vikings’ defense, it seems unlikely the team would release him when he’s still only 28.”
“They’d save $12.25 million if they released him before a $4 million base salary guarantee on March 13. Given the fact he’s got two void years on his deal, it’s possible the Vikings would convert part of his $18.39 million base salary into a signing bonus to lower his cap hit for 2026. Doing so would save them up to $12.96 million.”
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3. Brian O’Neill (RT)
O’Neill will probably encounter a similar fate to Greenard.
Minnesota may restructure his contract and add $20 million per year in guaranteed money. Considering performance and durability, O’Neill is the Vikings’ single-most effective lineman and has arguably held that title for seven seasons.
He’s 31, so he’s not bursting with youth. But the league’s best offensive tackles can play well into their 30s, and fans should expect that for O’Neill.
Minnesota will almost assuredly re-do O’Neill’s deal; adding more money only seems fair, as O’Neill is tentatively slated to test free agency in 2027.
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4. Jay Ward (S)
Ward balled out when afforded the opportunity last year. He was a rookie in 2023, meaning the upcoming season will be the final year of his deal. He’s done enough to merit a modest extension. He hits hard and represents youthful pop that Minnesota needs.
Our Kyle Joudry recently noted on Ward, “Lining up directly across from a shifty, explosive receiver isn’t for the faint of heart. Making a mistake is incredibly easy to see, even for an untrained eye. Ward’s capacity to get over the top of a receiver’s toes before then traveling with the receiver down the field is to be valued even if he’s not a shutdown option out there.”
“Consider, as well, being the deep safety. Being tall and having long arms helps — game of inches, right? — since there’s a greater chance of swatting deep passes away. Again, though, there’s the blatantly-obvious possibility of losing the rep. Any deep safety who gets beat deep is bound to get an earful from a coach (or two) alongside the scorn from onlookers.”
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Minnesota Vikings safety Jay Ward aligns near the sideline on Sep 14, 2023, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the defense prepares for the snap in a primetime contest. Ward tracks the formation and settles into coverage responsibilities against the Eagles’ motion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
Too, down the stretch of 2025, defensive coordinator Brian Flores seemed to prefer Ward in the lineup over fellow safety Theo Jackson.
Joudry added, “Seeing Ward prove capable of doing both — being a corner and a safety — is encouraging, especially within a Brian Flores defense that’s predicated on disguise, chaos, and being unpredictable.”
Ward will turn 26 this summer. Now’s the time to explore his second contract. He won’t break the bank.
Team GB’s Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby produce a season’s best score of 66.07 in the pairs skating short programme event to qualify for the free dance at the 2026 Winter’s Olympics.
Feb 10, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
David Mirkovic poured in 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead No. 8 Illinois to a 71-51 Big Ten victory over Indiana on Sunday afternoon in Champaign, Ill.
Keaton Wagler contributed 18 points and Tomislav Ivisic added 14 as the Illini (21-5, 12-3) snapped a two-game losing streak by turning 15 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points and committing a season-low two turnovers.
Kylan Boswell added nine points and seven rebounds as he returned to the Illinois lineup after missing seven games with a fractured right hand. Andrej Stojakovic sat out his second straight game with a high ankle sprain.
Lamar Wilkerson paced Indiana (17-9, 8-7) with 21 points, while Tucker DeVries posted 13 points and Sam Alexis added 11. However, the Hoosiers scored their fewest points since Dec. 3, 2022, at Rutgers as they hit 6 of 24 from 3-point range and lost the rebound battle by a 38-25 count.
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Both teams’ key players showed up immediately. While Wilkerson and DeVries canned their first 3-point attempts for Indiana, Wagler produced seven points in the first five minutes to forge an 11-11 tie.
Then, Mirkovic asserted himself. He cashed a 3-pointer on a pick-and-pop with Wagler at the 11:17 mark to highlight a 10-0 run that gave the Illini a 24-15 lead with 9:46 remaining. After Indiana’s Jasai Miles and Wilkerson answered with 3-pointers, Mirkovic hit back-to-back 3-pointers and fed Ivisic for a layup to restore a 32-23 lead with 5:28 to go.
Mirkovic posted 15 points in the first half, and Wagler added 11 to offset Wilkerson’s 14 and give Illinois a 38-31 halftime lead.
Ivisic scored the first five points of the second half to produce the game’s first double-digit lead, but Wilkerson responded with five of his own. Then Illinois reeled off 11 points in a row — highlighted by a Wagler 25-footer and a Mirkovic running bank — to claim a 54-36 lead with 12:33 to play.
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Wilkerson was the only Hoosier to score in the first 10 minutes of the second half as the rest of the squad went 0-for-6 from the field with four turnovers. Though Alexis finally broke through with a dunk at the 9:31 mark, Indiana never got closer than 12 the rest of the way.
Both Stevenson and Haney are regarded as two of the best fighters in the world, with Stevenson currently reigning as the WBO super-lightweight champion after a victory over Teofimo Lopez last month, having previously held gold from featherweight to lightweight.
As for Haney, he claimed the WBO welterweight title back in November when he defeated Brian Norman Jr, going alongside his reign as undisputed lightweight champion and a brief period holding the WBC super-lightweight title.
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Haney did suffer a loss at 140lbs when he was beaten by Ryan Garcia, but the result was overturned to a no contest after Garcia failed a drugs test, and thus ‘The Dream’ has remained in possession of his undefeated record.
Stevenson believes one man in particular has what it takes to give Haney his first legitimate loss though, revealing on a live stream with Adin Ross that Keyshawn Davis could be about to land the fight and will come out on top.
“Keyshawn Davis is going to fight him. I think it’s going to happen soon. Keyshawn is going to beat him.”
Undefeated star Davis is the former WBO lightweight champion, and recently returned after nearly one year out the ring to defeat Jamaine Ortiz at 140lbs, though later stated his desire to head up to 147lbs.
Davis and Stevenson are good friends, so it is no surprise to see Shakur backing him to defeat Haney, but boxing fans agree that it would certainly be an interesting match-up.
Zuffa Boxing returns on Sunday with Zuffa Boxing 03 from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The event is headlined by a clash between Efe Ajagba and former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin.
Ajagba is on the verge of being a top 10 heavyweight in the world and likely would already be considered as such had things broken better for him on the scorecards in his most recent fight. That night, Ajagba took on Martin Bakole, seen as one of heavyweight’s boogeymen, avoided by most in the division for the difficulties he can present to opponents.
Ajagba controlled much of that fight in May 2025, but the scorecards resulted in a majority draw, with one judge scoring the fight 96-94 in Ajagba’s favor and the other two ruling the fight a 95-95 draw.
Sign up for Paramount+ and watch Zuffa Boxing 03 live on Sunday night for no additional fee. Plus, every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with the price of your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!
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Ajagba was rewarded for his performance against Bakole with a proposed IBF title eliminator against Frank Sanchez, who handed Ajagba his lone defeat in a 2021 meeting. Ajagba was unhappy with how the purse bid for the fight shook out and declined to move forward with the bout, ultimately leading to the termination of his contract with Top Rank, which opened the door for the heavyweight contender to sign with Zuffa Boxing.
While Martin does hold the distinction of being a former world heavyweight champion, the circumstances of his title reign are unusual.
Martin won the IBF title in a 2016 bout with Vyacheslav Glazkov that saw Glazkov unable to continue due to a knee injury suffered during a third-round knockdown. Less than 90 days later, Martin was no longer champion, suffering a second-round knockout to Anthony Joshua.
Martin has insisted he was “badly injured” 10 days before the Joshua fight and continued to chase a rematch for years, rising to the fringes of title contention with a few wins before suffering repeated setbacks in the form of losses to Adam Kownacki, Luis Ortiz and Jared Anderson.
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After losing to Anderson in July 2023, Martin got back in the win column with a stoppage of unheralded Matthew McKinney the following November. He has not fought since, marking 15 months out of the ring.
The light heavyweight co-main event between Umar Dzambekov and Ahmed Elbiali appears to be the standout fight on the card, with unbeaten Dzambekov looking to continue building his resume against a tough out in Elbiali, whose lone loss came to former world champion Jean Pascal.
Let’s take a closer look at the rest of the fight card for Sunday night with the latest odds before getting to a prediction and expert pick on the main event below.
Zuffa Boxing 03 fight card, odds
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
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Efe Ajagba -1100 vs. Charles Martin +650, heavyweights
Umar Dzambekov-1400 vs. Ahmed Elbiali +700, light heavyweights
Abel Mejia -800 vs. Jaybrio Pe Benito +500, lightweights
Leonardo Ruiz -1400 vs. Casey Streeter +700, middleweights
Antonio Woods -425 vs. Mark Beuke +300, middleweights
Oswaldo Molina -1200 vs. Joshua Clark +650, lightweights
Emiliano Alvarado -2500 vs. Devin Gantt +1000, junior featherweight
Dariial Kuchmenov -3000 vs. Jorge Lagunas +1000, lightweights
Where to watch Zuffa Boxing 03
Date: Feb. 15 | Location: Meta APEX — Las Vegas Prelims begin at 6 p.m. ET Main card begins at 9 p.m. ET Watch live:Paramount+ (subscribe now for as little as $8.99 per month)
Prediction
As a 31-year-old on a six-fight unbeaten streak who was being lined up for a title eliminator, Ajagba is very much a contender at heavyweight. Martin started his career 23-0 and won a world title, but has fallen very much into a spot as a gatekeeper for the division. That’s not a knock because divisions benefit from gatekeepers; they’re good enough to fend off pretenders, and a win against them carries actual meaning.
Ajagba came up short against Frank Sanchez, which does raise some questions about whether he is ready to fully break through to the upper echelon of heavyweights and if he isn’t, Martin is talented enough to knock him down the ladder. But Ajagba’s performance against Bakole showed he can handle big, awkward heavyweights who carry some power in their fists.
This is a fight set up to get Ajagba a win over a former champion and he should be able to do just that. Pick: Efe Ajagba via UD
Italy’s Federica Brignone was crowned Olympic giant slalom champion on Sunday at the Milan-Cortina Games, three days after winning her first gold medal in the super-G.
Four weeks ago, on the way to Palm Springs for the American Express, Adam Schriber stopped his RV in Oklahoma City to see an old friend, who let him in on a secret.
“It’s going to happen,” Anthony Kim told him, according to Schriber. “My best golf is in front of me. You watch, it’s good. It’s just taking some time to get my confidence back.”
Fast forward to Sunday in Australia, and it happened.
Schriber watched from 7,000-plus miles away while lounging in his RV on the Monterey Peninsula on Saturday night, where the golf instructor is on-site for this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He streamed the action and received constant text updates from his son. Across the globe at LIV Golf Adelaide, his former student was putting the finishing touches on an epic final-round comeback to put an exclamation mark on a remarkable redemption story, one that many people never thought would come — except for Kim and those close to him.
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Kim fired a nine-under 63 to finish 23 under overall, beating major stalwarts Jon Rahm (20 under) and Bryson DeChambeau (17 under), who were tied for the lead entering the final day.
“I know I can make a lot of birdies,” Kim said. “I know my self-belief is second to none. Obviously taking 12 1/2 years off the game is a long time, and you have to build that confidence back. So I guess from when I was in my 20s, I was never scared to play anybody. I’m not scared to play anybody now. I know this is just one golf tournament, but I believe in myself. That will never change.”
Schriber taught Kim from his days as a promising 14-year-old junior up until he stepped away from the game. While Kim is officially with Matt Killen now, he still stays in touch with Schriber; they consider each other family. They talk or text often, and a lot of what Kim incorporates on the course now are concepts he worked on with Schriber, whose current pros include reigning U.S. Open champ J.J. Spaun and Denny McCarthy, among others.
“He is just a phenomenal athlete that defaulted to golf because it fit him, and we are lucky to have him in the sport,” said Schriber, speaking Sunday from the Pacific Coast Highway on his way from Pebble Beach to next week’s stop at Riviera in Los Angeles. “He’s a special talent, man. I have been around him a lot and he has all the tools, but most of all he gave himself the permission to fail.”
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Kim was a good story when he returned to pro golf in 2024 after more than a decade away, but he didn’t have the immediate success that made him a star years earlier. Now 40 and playing as a LIV wild card, he was relegated after the 2025 season but reclaimed a spot when he finished third at the LIV Promotions event in January, which handed out 2026 season memberships for the top-three finishers. Then, after Patrick Reed left LIV weeks before the season-opener, Kim took his spot on the 4Aces.
Making his team debut at Adelaide, it seemed unlikely Kim would win Sunday morning. All eyes were on the heavyweight battle between DeChambeau and Rahm, who entered the day tied at 19 under. Kim, five back and 14 under, was in the final group with them, but he seemed to be more of a spectator. Or so most thought.
Kim didn’t make a bogey and was four under at the turn, just one back of Rahm. DeChambeau made four front-nine bogeys and got left behind.
Kim birdied 12 to tie Rahm and got hot from there — making three more to reel off four straight and take a commanding lead. He added his final birdie on 17 and had a stress-free 18th hole as he finished off a three-stroke win.
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“Bryson and Jon have proven themselves as major championship-caliber winners, Ryder Cup players, and have consistently played well for a long time, so I have a tremendous amount of respect for them,” Kim said. “I knew it was going to be an uphill battle today, and I got putts to go my way.”
Before his 2024 return, Kim’s last start was as a 26-year-old at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship (and his last win was the 2010 Shell Houston Open).
Schriber says he always thought Kim could win again, it just depended on how badly Kim wanted it. As Schriber says, he just needed to commit and get sharp.
Schriber is among a small group of people in Kim’s tight-knit circle, a group that also found some satisfaction in Kim’s win on Sunday. Their relationship is about more than just golf. Schriber still remembers, back more than 20 years ago, when he was having a hard time going through a divorce. Kim called him every day just to check in.
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“My buddies would forget what I was going through, but this 15-year-old kid was checking up on my all the time. That’s special, man,” Schriber says. “We’ve always been there for each other when that guy’s down. And that’s how you know who your true friends are. Everybody’s there when things are going good, but only the people who are real are there for you when s— hits the fan. We have that in common.”
Marin Cilic reaches first Tour Semifinal since 2024
Marin Cilic has reached a tour-level semifinal for the first time since 2024.
The semifinal is his first in around 18 months and comes after two knee surgeries. During the week, Cilic defeated three opponents aged 20, 21, and 22.
The result takes Cilic to 68 tour level semifinals, placing him fourth among active male players. Only Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Gael Monfils have reached more semifinals.
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Speaking after the match, Cilic said:
“Definitely a huge accomplishment. Another great milestone. Definitely a huge sign for me and my team. We’ve been working really diligently the last several months. It pays off. You have to wait for your chances and be patient in this sport. It’s not easy sometimes. You’re playing well, maybe you’re not winning. But you just have to keep that focus. I trained well and believed that good things are gonna come.”
Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Nearly a month after my first Vikings mock draft of 2026, and with the curtain pulled on the 2025 season and the Seattle Seahawks reigning supreme. It’s time to look again with my 2026 Vikings mock draft 2.0.
Adam New’s Post-Super Bowl Blueprint for the Vikings’ 2026 Draft
In my first mock draft, I concentrated on the defensive side of the ball early, and that trend remains. I firmly believe that’s how the Vikings should attack this draft, while making room for an RB, TE, and C at some point, depending on how the board falls on draft day. I have gone for a different position in round one this team, looking to add beef up front first, rather than boosting the secondary — that comes on Day 2. Here is my Vikings mock draft 2.0.
Round 1: Pick 18 – Caleb Banks (DI), Florida
There are a few areas of the Vikings’ defense that need to be addressed in this draft, and I start by finding a long-term partner for Jalen Redmond in the center of the Vikings’ defensive line. At 6’6″, 325 pounds, with arms over 35″, Caleb Banks has overwhelming size, length, and forklift power, to pair with inhuman burst and quickness at that size.
The only concern is a longer-than-ideal injury history, but the raw talent is there, and Banks can be the final piece to a completely dominant Vikings defensive line.
Round 2: Pick 49 – Keionte Scott (CB), Miami (FL)
Keionte Scott is a nickel CB who can have a big impact on a game. During Miami’s run to the national championship game in 2025, he amassed 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two pick-sixes. An explosive long-striding closer, with springy coverage and an elite processor with a fast-flowing style and relentless physicality, Scott should be a great fit in the Brian Flores defense.
Round 3: Pick 82 – Genesis Smith (S), Arizona
The Vikings need to replace Harrison Smith and never really replaced Camryn Bynum last season. Genesis Smith would be the Bynum replacement with rare range and long-strider speed as a center-fielder and single-high safety, and his playmaking instincts are elite. Smith is one of the best coverage safeties in this draft class, which is just what the Vikings need in their secondary.
Jadarian Price has been living in the shadow of Jeremiyah Love in the Notre Dame backfield. While you might need to spend a top 10 pick to acquire Love’s services, Price may be the better value pick on Day 2. An exciting draft prospect in his own right,
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Price is an explosive vertical threat with a great blend of vision, spatial instincts, and foot speed. He has a smooth running style, and he goes 0-to-100 in the blink of an eye when he sees a gap to exploit.
Round 5: Pick 156 – Jake Slaughter (C), Florida
The first player to land on the Vikings with the same pick as in my first Vikings mock draft. With the future of Ryan Kelly uncertain after a series of concussions, and in the last year of his contract. The Vikings need to think about the future at center.
The free agency addition of Tyler Linderbaum would be the dream scenario, but Jake Slaughter would make a good plan B, especially if Kelly does try to play on. Minnesota will need some insurance at center.
Round 7: Pick 234 – Drew Allar (QB), Penn State
This isn’t the draft to try again for a top QB, but taking a punt on one in the later rounds is always worthwhile, even if it’s for a guy whose ceiling is career backup. Drew Allar has the tools to be that and more potentially.
A former five-star recruit, standing at 6’5 “, 235 pounds, he has a rocket arm, and he has the nimble mobility and arm elasticity to work off-platform — as well as goodpre-snap command and post-snap processing. So why might he be available this late? Accuracy issues and poor mechanics will need much work for Allar to have any success in the NFL. At this point in the draft, it’s worth a gamble.
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Round 7: Pick 235 – Jeff Caldwell (WR), Cincinnati
Jeff Caldwell transferred to Cincinnati for a step up in competition in the 2025 season and reeled in 32 receptions for 478 yards and six touchdowns.
Nov 29, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jeff Caldwell (9) comes off the field after scoring against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
I seem to suggest every off-season that the Vikings need a big physical wide receiver, and Caldwell brings this (6’4, 208 lbs) while also having the speed to be a vertical threat. An explosive talent that comes in at No. 29 on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks list, Caldwell would be a great get on Day 3.
Round 7: Pick 244 – Riley Mahlman (OT), Wisconsin
As the 2025 season proved, good depth on the OL is always valuable. Picking up a well-rounded if unspectacular OT prospect like Wisconsin’s Riley Mahlman, who is strongest in pass protection, would be an excellent use of a seventh-round pick — especially if the Vikings get back to the explosive passing offense that Kevin O’Connell wants.
Round 7: Pick 244- Jack Velling (TE), Michigan State
The second player to make it onto both of my Vikings mock drafts to date, though a few spots lower in the seventh round this time. The Vikings went TE-heavy towards the end of last season to help out their QB. If that trend continues, then a fresh face at the position makes sense.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
Akwa United FC claimed a 1–0 victory over Rovers FC in a Nigeria National League Matchday 10 clash at the Uyo Township Stadium on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
The match started with early drama. In the 7th minute, Aniebiet Sunday appeared to score from Etim Charles’ cross, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Akwa United continued to press, with Etim Charles seeing a curling corner fly just over the bar in the 38th minute.
The second half saw both sides create chances. Yannick’s curling free kick in the 47th minute was tipped over by Rovers goalkeeper Chibueze Lambert, while Akwa United goalkeeper Aloysius ThankGod produced a superb one-handed save in the 54th minute to keep his side level. Esonwanne Gift also came close with a header in the 82nd minute, but it went wide.
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The breakthrough finally came in the 88th minute. Aniebiet Sunday calmly converted a precise pass from fellow debutant Oladimeji Dada to fire home the stoppage-time winner. The goal sent the home fans into celebrations and handed Akwa United maximum points in the derby.
Aniebiet Sunday’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award, powered by Ibom Air. His composure, movement, and decisive finish made him a deserved winner of the accolade on his first appearance for the club.
The victory keeps Akwa United at the top of the NNL Conference B table with 22 points from ten games. With the second half of the season underway, Coach Paul Offor emphasised the need for consistency and focus as the team prepares to face Abeokuta Stormers FC in Matchday 11.
![Heathrow has said passenger numbers were 60% lower in November than before the coronavirus pandemic and there were “high cancellations” among business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas for Christmas as Omicron spreads. The UK’s largest airport said the government’s travel restrictions had dealt a fresh blow to travel confidence and predicted it was likely to take several years for passenger numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels. This week ministers said passengers arriving in the UK would have to take a pre-departure Covid test, as well as a post-flight test, because of fears about the spread of the new variant. “[The] high level of cancellations by business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas because of pre-departure testing shows the potential harm to the economy of travel restrictions,” the airport said in an update. Heathrow said the drop in traveller confidence owing to the new travel restrictions had negated the benefit of reopening the all-important corridor to North America for business and holiday travel last month. Eleven African countries have been added to the government’s red list, requiring travellers to quarantine before reuniting with families. “By allowing Brits to isolate at home, ministers can make sure they are reunited with their loved ones this Christmas,” said John Holland-Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow. “It would send a strong signal that restrictions on travel will be removed as soon as safely possible to give passengers the confidence to book for 2022, opening up thousands of new jobs for local people at Heathrow. Let’s reunite families for Christmas.” Heathrow said that if the government could safely signal that restrictions would be lifted soon, then employers at Heathrow would have the confidence to hire thousands of staff in anticipation of a boost in business next summer. The airport is expecting a slow start to 2022, finishing next year with about 45 million passengers – just over half of pre-pandemic levels. This week Tui, Europe’s largest package holiday operator, said it expected bookings for next summer to bounce back to 2019 levels. However, Heathrow said on Friday not to expect the aviation industry to recover for several years. “We do not expect that international travel will recover to 2019 levels until at least all travel restrictions (including testing) are removed from all the markets that we serve, at both ends of the route, and there is no risk of new restrictions, such as quarantine, being imposed,” the airport said.](https://wordupnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shutterstock_1100012546-scaled-400x240.jpg)
![Heathrow has said passenger numbers were 60% lower in November than before the coronavirus pandemic and there were “high cancellations” among business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas for Christmas as Omicron spreads. The UK’s largest airport said the government’s travel restrictions had dealt a fresh blow to travel confidence and predicted it was likely to take several years for passenger numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels. This week ministers said passengers arriving in the UK would have to take a pre-departure Covid test, as well as a post-flight test, because of fears about the spread of the new variant. “[The] high level of cancellations by business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas because of pre-departure testing shows the potential harm to the economy of travel restrictions,” the airport said in an update. Heathrow said the drop in traveller confidence owing to the new travel restrictions had negated the benefit of reopening the all-important corridor to North America for business and holiday travel last month. Eleven African countries have been added to the government’s red list, requiring travellers to quarantine before reuniting with families. “By allowing Brits to isolate at home, ministers can make sure they are reunited with their loved ones this Christmas,” said John Holland-Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow. “It would send a strong signal that restrictions on travel will be removed as soon as safely possible to give passengers the confidence to book for 2022, opening up thousands of new jobs for local people at Heathrow. Let’s reunite families for Christmas.” Heathrow said that if the government could safely signal that restrictions would be lifted soon, then employers at Heathrow would have the confidence to hire thousands of staff in anticipation of a boost in business next summer. The airport is expecting a slow start to 2022, finishing next year with about 45 million passengers – just over half of pre-pandemic levels. This week Tui, Europe’s largest package holiday operator, said it expected bookings for next summer to bounce back to 2019 levels. However, Heathrow said on Friday not to expect the aviation industry to recover for several years. “We do not expect that international travel will recover to 2019 levels until at least all travel restrictions (including testing) are removed from all the markets that we serve, at both ends of the route, and there is no risk of new restrictions, such as quarantine, being imposed,” the airport said.](https://wordupnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shutterstock_1100012546-scaled-80x80.jpg)
