Entertainment
Stephen Colletti defends using “One Tree Hill” and not “Laguna Beach” as his credit on “The Traitors”
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“Did not expect to get the blowback,” Colletti tells EW. “I mean, people were accusing me of hating ‘Laguna’ because I didn’t choose that one.”
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Former The Hills star Stephanie Pratt is refusing to endorse her brother, Spencer Pratt, in his bid for Los Angeles mayor.
“Spencer has done great work for the palisades. But LA does not need another unqualified and inexperienced mayor,” Stephanie, 39, wrote via X on Saturday, February 14, referring to her brother’s outspoken advocacy in the wake of the deadly January 2026 wildfires that decimated parts of Los Angeles and the surrounding area.
“A vote for him is a vote for stupidity,” Stephanie continued, before issuing a series of follow-up tweets explaining why she is not endorsing her brother, 42, for L.A. mayor.
“He’s just trying to stay famous and sell his memoir don’t be fooled,” she wrote. “In an ideal world the palisades would have their own mayor and police department. I would love [for] him to be mayor of [the] Palisades but not LA with 4 million people. I’d be impressed if a republican could turn LA democrats thb.”
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and its Department of Water and Power (LADWP) following the destruction of their home in the Palisades wildfire. Spencer, 41, and Heidi, 38, were among nearly two dozen plaintiffs – which also included Spencer’s mother Janet Pratt – in the lawsuit […]
She added, “At least hire someone with work experience who wasn’t in a cult. I’m WORRIED about LA. I have no problem with Spencer playing government but our city needs help.”
Spencer announced his candidacy for mayor on January 7, 2026 – the one-year anniversary of the devastating California wildfires, which killed 12 people and burned more than 6,800 homes near and around the Pacific Palisades.
Stephanie Pratt, Spencer Pratt Getty Images
“The system in Los Angeles isn’t struggling, it’s fundamentally broken,” Pratt said at the “They Let Us Burn” public demonstration, per the New York Post, a “peaceful, non-partisan public demonstration calling for accountability, transparency and meaningful reform in wildfire preparedness, emergency response, insurance recovery and environmental cleanup.”
“It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash. Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I’m done waiting for someone to take real action,” Pratt continued. “That’s why I am running for mayor. And let me be clear, this just isn’t a campaign, this is a mission, and we’re gonna expose the system.”
According to Politico, Spencer declined to take questions after he spoke at the rally, but showed a reporter photos of himself signing official campaign paperwork to confirm his run for office.
Although fans met Spencer during his time on MTV’s hit reality show The Hills, his focus in the past year has turned away from reality TV and onto politics and fire recovery in the neighborhood where he was raising his children alongside his wife, Heidi Montag.
His Instagram and TikTok are primarily focused on investigating what caused the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. He has become an outspoken critic of current Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Montag and Spencer share two kids, Gunner and Ryker. In January 2025, Montag and Spencer lost their home in the Los Angeles wildfires. “I just really want to go home,” Heidi said through tears in a TikTok video. “I’m so homesick.”
Lindsey Vonn
Completes Fourth Surgery After Olympic Crash
Published
Lindsey Vonn is fresh off her fourth surgery following her devastating Winter Olympics crash, and she has a message for fans … keep the sympathy to a minimum.
The ski legend revealed Saturday her latest procedure went well and she’ll be heading back to the United States soon to continue recovering. Posting from her hospital bed, Vonn reflected on the flood of support she’s received but made it clear she doesn’t want anyone feeling sorry for her.
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“I have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad,” she wrote. “Please, don’t be sad. Empathy, love and support I welcome with an open heart, but please not sadness or sympathy.”
Instead, Vonn says she hopes her journey motivates people to keep pushing through their own battles. “I hope instead it gives you strength to keep fighting, because that is what I am doing and that is what I will continue to do. Always.”
The brutal crash came just 13 seconds into her women’s downhill run last Sunday, when she lost control and was airlifted to a hospital in Italy. Doctors later stabilized a fracture in her left leg.
The scary fall happened only nine days after Vonn had completely torn her ACL during a World Cup race in Switzerland, but she still chose to compete at the Olympics, fully aware of the risks.
The 2026 “Wuthering Heights” movie starring “Barbie” actress Margot Robbie and “Frankenstein” star Jacob Elordi takes a significant departure from the 1847 novel by Emily Brontë. There have been countless adaptations over the years, but this version, written and directed by Emerald Fennell, of “Saltburn” fame, ends differently from the book on which it is based.
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Margot Robbie and Jacob Elrodi Star In 2026’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ Adaptation
“Wuthering Heights” is a complex Gothic tale that focuses on themes of obsessive love and revenge. The story focuses on the obsessive love affair between Catherine “Cathy” Earnshaw (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi). They are children when Cathy’s father takes in Heathcliff as a mysterious orphan. The two grow up together and develop deep feelings for one another.
However, Cathy decides to marry her wealthy neighbor, Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif), which prompts Heathcliff to leave. He later returns a wealthy man and marries Edgar’s sister, Isabella Linton. That said, even though they are both married, their romantic feelings for each other do not diminish.
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How Does The Margot Robbie Version End?
Many fans know that Cathy actually dies about halfway through the book, and Heathcliff eventually drives himself mad. In the book, Heathcliff visits a pregnant Catherine in secret, and she dies shortly after giving birth to a daughter, Cathy.
In the movie, Cathy’s housekeeper, Nelly, plays a more villainous role. Cathy tells Nelly that she has had a miscarriage, but Nelly thinks she is lying for attention. Nelly has also been burning Heathcliff’s letters to Cathy to keep them apart. However, once Nelly realizes Cathy is dying, she tells Heathcliff. Unfortunately, it’s too late, and Cathy dies from sepsis from the miscarriage before he arrives.
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How The ‘Wuthering Heights’ Ending Changed
In the book, Cathy has a daughter, but in the movie, she suffers a miscarriage. That is only one change from the source material. The other change is that Heathcliff visits Cathy before she dies; however, in the movie, that does not happen. She speaks to him in a dream-state, but they don’t actually meet in person before she dies. Fennell explained that the decision to keep Heathcliff and Cathy apart at the end is “partly structural.”
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“There are about three different meetings and three different speeches, and so part of it was consolidating that,” she said while speaking to Entertainment Weekly. “But also, we talk a lot about ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and, obviously, when we meet Isabella, she’s talking about that kind of story and about that missed thing, and I feel so much that Cathy and Heathcliff’s [romance] was about missing each other.”
She went on to say, “And so what I did was I brought a lot of the love forward, and a lot of those really important conversations forward, to give them some time so that it didn’t just happen at the end.”
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Why The 2026 Adaptation Ends With Cathy’s Death
Instead of following the story of their children, the movie ends pretty quickly after Cathy passes away. Her return as a ghost, featured in several other adaptations, does not occur here.
“It begins where it ends and ends where it begins,” Fennell said of her chosen ending. “And that’s the thing about love, and it’s the thing about the book, right? It’s that it’s forever and it’s cyclical, and so there’s no stop — even when there’s a terrible, sad, tragic stop, it’s not really a stop — because that’s what the book feels so much about.”
She adds, “It’s about the depths of human feeling and how it exists in a profound way, not just a physical one. And so that, I don’t know, that felt like the right way to end it for me.”
Emerald Fennell Defends Her Changes To ‘Wuthering Heights’
Elsewhere in her conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Fennell revealed that she had first fallen in love with the book as a teenager. While creating the script, she recalled events that had actually happened in the book and others that didn’t. This led her to shape the narrative by eliminating some characters and changing others.
“It was funny, you know, I think the things that I remembered were both real and not real,” she explained. “So there was a certain amount of wish fulfillment in there, and there were whole characters that I’d sort of forgotten or consolidated.”
Instead of directly adapting the book, Fennell explained that she “wanted to make something that was my response and interpretation to that book and to the feeling of it.”
Amy Schumer
Ditches Roses for ‘Crying Corner’ on V-Day
Published
Amy Schumer kept it real on Valentine’s Day … setting up what she called a “Crying Corner” as she navigates life amid her divorce from husband Chris Fischer.
The comedian shared a photo of herself sitting beneath a handmade “Crying Corner” sign, with tissues and water nearby, making it clear she wasn’t leaning into the lovey dovey vibes flooding social media.
The post comes weeks after she filed for divorce from Fischer, ending their seven-year marriage. The couple got married in 2018, and they share a son, Gene. When news of their split became public last year, Amy addressed it in her signature candid style, emphasizing the focus remains on co-parenting and mutual respect.
While the breakup appears amicable, Valentine’s Day can hit differently during a major life change, and Amy didn’t pretend otherwise. Rather than posting flowers or a romantic tribute, she embraced the moment with a tongue-in-cheek setup that felt both vulnerable and on brand.
Schumer has long built her career on turning personal experiences into relatable comedy, and this was no different. If there were tears, they came with a label and a punchline.
TV comes in many shapes and sizes, but one of the most popular media as of late is anime, with hit series such as One Piece becoming a worldwide phenomenon. However, on the other side of the spectrum are TV dramas, and HBO is the king of series, award-winning shows. From modern hits like Succession to all-time classics such as Game of Thrones, HBO is home to some of the best TV.
There isn’t much crossover between anime and HBO, but that doesn’t mean these stories can’t intertwine, which is why this list will rank ten anime that could become great HBO dramas. This list will rank these entries based on how well their story can translate to an HBO drama, including factors such as setting, storytelling, characters, entertainment value, originality, critical acclaim, and how good a drama it is.
10
‘Parasyte: The Maxim’ (2014–2015)
HBO has many different types of shows, but sci-fi isn’t the most common. One series that might work is Parasyte: The Maxim. When an alien fails to take over his brain, it inhabits Shinichi’s hand to survive. Alerting him of an alien invasion, the duo tries to find others like them while stopping the onslaught of hidden creatures before they take over the world.
An HBO adaptation might be difficult since Parasyte is set in Japan, but an alternate story somewhere in the West could work perfectly. The dramatic story is mysterious, emotional, and riveting from start to finish. There is already a live-action Netflix spin-off, meaning that if HBO handled it, they could make an even better drama that could enhance the story.
9
‘Lazarus’ (2025)
As mentioned, sci-fi isn’t really HBO’s thing, but they could absolutely pull off an adaptation of Lazarus, Shinichiro Watanabe‘s latest creation. Hapna is a miracle drug that cures any pain, but when the creator reveals that it will kill everyone who takes it, the world goes into a panic. A select team is now on the case to find the doctor and get the cure, but they discover a lot more on the way.
Other Watanabe anime are better, such as Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, but those wouldn’t work as well for HBO compared to Lazarus. The plot spans across the globe, investigating various things related to the cure, the virus, and its creator. The anime was a bit of a letdown, meaning a live-action HBO series could very well be an improvement.
8
‘My Home Hero’ (2023)
Action and adventure series are more popular than dramas, meaning anime like My Home Hero don’t get the recognition they deserve. When a father learns that his daughter is being abused by her Yakuza boyfriend, he takes matters into his own hands. Now, he and his wife must clean up the mess and stay out of the Yakuza’s sight as they search for the boss’s missing son.
Like Parasyte, My Home Hero presents the problem of being set in Japan, but HBO could easily switch it to a family of gangsters or Italian mobsters, potentially being a successor of The Sopranos. The anime had poor production, but with a healthy budget, this show could be the best new thing. My Home Hero has a magnificent story and plot that is suspenseful and gripping. Any fan could fall in love with this dramatic masterclass.
7
‘Orb: On the Movements of the Earth’ (2024–2025)
Most anime are naturally set in Japan, even the historical ones, but a few take place in foreign settings, such as Orb: On the Movements of the Earth. It follows multiple protagonists in Poland trying to prove the theory of heliocentrism. However, the church forbids such thinking, trying its hardest to silence the heretics.
The story may not be real, but this historical masterpiece is one of the best anime series of the 2020s anyway. Orb was one of the biggest recent surprises, highlighting a remarkable story about the beauty of humanity and its indomitable will for truth, knowledge, and progression. With these themes and story, HBO could make a masterpiece.
6
‘Monster’ (2004–2005)
Naoki Urasawa is arguably the most prolific manga author of all time, with some of the greatest series ever, and his magnum opus is Monster. Dr. Tenma saves the life of a child instead of the mayor, but years later, that same child grew up to become a serial killer. Tenma must now take matters into his own hands and kill Johan, but will he be able to do that when he learns of his dark past?
Monster is mostly set in Germany, spanning across the country while investigating where Johan is, as well as his history. The story is full of twists and turns as well as intricate details and memorable moments that blend to create one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Monster is a masterpiece in any medium, meaning it would be among the best HBO dramas.
5
‘The Fable’ (2024)
Comedy drama TV shows are becoming more prominent in the West, but not in Japan, which is why the Western audience would appreciate an HBO drama of The Fable. When a hitman is too good at his job, he and his assistant need to take a vacation and wait for the heat to die down. However, they get into trouble everywhere they go while trying to relax.
The Fable takes place in Japan, but a simple change of scenery would make it perfect for HBO, and the plot is easily transferable. This anime is one of the funniest, most action-packed, and engrossing modern shows all at the same time. With compelling story arcs and well-crafted humor, The Fable is begging to be made into a live-action series and flourishes with its dramatic absurdity.
4
‘Baccano!’ (2007)
There aren’t a lot of anime set in America, but any of those few would naturally make a good HBO drama, including Baccano! From a scientist and his assistant looking for their missing immortality elixir to a war between mafia groups to a train full of criminals, this anime interweaves these seemingly disconnected plots into one epic story.
Baccano never received a complete adaptation, which is why an HBO drama would make an interesting way to conclude the series. HBO series are known for their storytelling, and there aren’t many anime with better stories than Baccano, weaving a complicated set of stories together to create something even greater. It is a masterpiece that should gain an even larger audience.
3
‘Vinland Saga’ (2019–Present)
The second historical anime on this list is Vinland Saga, whose manga recently came to an end in 2025. When the Vikings murder his father, Thorfinn joins their crew in order to get revenge, but he first needs to grow stronger. After years of staying on their crew, he is a completely different person and must now reflect and understand what he actually wants in life.
Vinland Saga is regarded as one of the best-written anime series ever, with remarkable character development and philosophical themes. With its outstanding writing, magnificent stories, compelling characters, and European setting, Vinland Saga is one of the easiest and best anime for Hollywood to adapt. This anime has the potential to be a prestigious HBO that could win awards.
2
‘Kaiji’ (2007–2011)
Gambling is unfortunately becoming more common nowadays, but some of the best stories around this topic come from anime, such as Kaiji. The titular character is hopelessly in debt, but when he gets a proposition to clear his debt, he instantly takes up the offer. However, he must compete in and win a series of twisted games for the purpose of entertaining the rich.
Like a couple of other anime on this list, Kaiji is also set in Japan, but the setting isn’t necessary, meaning an HBO drama could easily be set anywhere. The story, tension, characters, and plot are simply too good to be only in anime, and with shows such as Squid Game becoming worldwide hits, Kaiji can be just as popular, but even better. This story is a non-stop thrill ride that will excite, exhilarate, and leave fans wanting more.
1
‘Banana Fish’ (2018)
The best anime that would work as an HBO drama would be set in America, and while there are a handful, Banana Fish is the best. A Japanese reporter comes to America to write an article about gangs, but he gets involved with the young leader of a street gang and a conspiracy. They must now stop the devious plot while trying to stay alive.
While a lot of the anime on this list could be adapted into an HBO drama, Banana Fish already feels like one, meaning the transition would be easy. The plot is dark, dramatic, bleak, gripping, and bathed in Western storytelling. Banana Fish is a gang drama and a drug conspiracy that is a narrative close to prestige crime dramas. With gritty, unflinching realism, Banana Fish is an anime masterpiece that deals with heavy topics and mature subject matter, and has a cinematic pedigree that makes it the best anime that could be an HBO drama.
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“All your friends died for just being near you,” Sidney’s fallen friend whispers.
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Can you feel the music?
3:20 PM PT — Canada has released a statement in the aftermath of the incident … stating in part, “Curling Canada fully supports fair play, respect and sportsmanship, values that are fundamental to our sport.”
Yesterday’s men’s curling match between Team Canada and Team Sweden in Cortina was highly competitive, showcasing the passion and commitment of both teams.
During the game, officials were called to the field of play and closely monitored for any release rule infractions,… pic.twitter.com/vB8IkBZdga
— Curling Canada (@CurlingCanada) February 14, 2026
@CurlingCanada
Marc Kennedy has also apologized for using the language he did during the tense moment.
Canadians might generally be known for their polite manners, but those apparently didn’t travel with one curling competitor to Milan for the Winter Olympics … because he threw some NSFW language at an opponent.
Canada Tells Sweden to ‘F*ck Off’ in Olympic Curling after being accused of cheating.
You be the judge pic.twitter.com/ij4XbZAexV
— TaraBull (@TaraBull) February 14, 2026
@TaraBull
Marc Kennedy — a four-time Olympian for The Great White North — got into a shouting match with Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson during a tense match Friday.
Eriksson claimed Kennedy — the athlete throwing the rock in curling — was touching it again after initially releasing it … a violation of the rules.
The Canadian flew into a rage when the Swede called his integrity into question … telling his opponent, “I haven’t done it once. You can f*** off.”
Eriksson chirped back, saying he could show Kennedy the receipts after the match … which sparked more profanity from Kennedy.
After Canada won the match 8-6, Kennedy told a reporter he blew up because he didn’t like “being accused of cheating after 25 years on tour and four Olympic Games. I told him where to stick it.”
Kennedy has won two Olympic medals, including gold in 2010. Eriksson is no rookie … he has four medals and won gold in 2022.
BTW … officials didn’t call a foul on Kennedy — but many online feel he may have double-touched the stone. Tell us what you think by voting above.
Be careful not to fall through that curling ice … it’s heating up quick!
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We’re tired of tight trousers and boring blouses, which is why we’re copying Selena Gomez‘s silky, waist-cinching dress style. She proved that silky comfort and CEO-level class can go hand in hand. All it takes is the right dress, and we found her sleek look hiding on Amazon. The style is flattering, buttery-soft and oh-so polished.
At a recent Rare Beauty event, Gomez wore a silky blazer dress adorned with a waist-cinching flower detail. Her dress was such a showstopper that simple earrings were all it required to look complete. This Amazon version has the same effect, giving you a sleek, slim, professional appearance in minutes. It’s the perfect throw-on-and-go option for busy corporate women.
Get the BTFBM Button-Front Satin Dress for $59 on Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Similar to Gomez’s pick, this satin-like dress boasts a soft fabric, long sleeves and a rich black hue. Rolled cuffs and a sassy V-neckline are a few other matching features. The only major difference is the length, and we actually prefer the maxi style for winter, spring and fall.
Bye, oversized totes! There’s a new rich mom bag style in town, and it’s taking over the streets of New York City, Madrid and beyond. It’s even trickled into royal wardrobes, including outfits sported by Kate Middleton. If you guessed mini bags, you’re on the right track! This winter, we’ve spotted A-listers like Middleton, Penélope […]
Better yet, this satin-like dress is so slimming, thanks to three flattering details. Aside from the loose and drapey fit, this maxi includes a silhouette-enhancing waist tie that shapes without squeezing. It also has ruching around the tummy to conceal bumps and bloating. Case in point: You’ll look and feel like a model in this smoothing wonder.
It’s no surprise that nearly 1,500 fashionistas give the dress five stars. They love many things, but particularly the sexy yet modest appeal that transitions seamlessly from in-office days to cocktail parties.
One reviewer wrote, “It’s become a staple in my wardrobe and my go-to dress if I need something chic and easy. The tie in the front with the gathered material gives you shape at the waist while also hiding a tummy. It’s an easy choice when I have to dress up for work, but also works great for dinner.”
Another echoed the sentiment and said the dress “hugs all the right spots.”
This piece will carry you through weddings, meetings and beyond. Plus, it’s not just Selena Gomez (and thousands of Amazon shoppers) rocking this style. We’ve spotted Jennifer Lopez, Hailey Bieber and Victoria Beckham sporting the trend. Add yourself to the list!
Get the BTFBM Button-Front Satin Dress for $59 on Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Not what you’re looking for? Shop other dresses on Amazon and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals here!
Not stoked about the skinny jeans trend? No worries! Martha Stewart made velour pants a thing again. Her lounge pants style is much comfier than stiff, scratchy denim, but are just as chic (if not chicer). Luckily, we found the cozy look for just $27 on Amazon, and it’s quickly becoming this season’s ‘It’ style. […]
Justina Valentine is 39 and looking great … and if you need receipts, this gallery’s got ’em!
The birthday babe knows exactly how to crank up the heat — and it’s not just the signature red hair, ’cause those barely-there bikinis are doing all the talking and showing off every curve.
Justina’s body confidence is on full blast, keeping it on-brand in fiery red … no matter what corner of the globe she’s posing in.
So go ahead — scroll, stare, and celebrate. Justina’s blowing out candles and serving looks. Happy Birthday!
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![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)
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