As a "traffic light" system for requiring overseas arrivals to quarantine begins, Gatwick Airport's warned that return to international travel should press ahead.
Portugal, Gibraltar and Israel are among the countries and territories people will be able to visit without quarantining on their return to the UK, the government has said.
Travellers returning from a country on that list will not need to quarantine, and will only be required to take one post-arrival test.
The whole green list consists of Portugal, Gibraltar, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, plus several small remote islands that are British Overseas Territories.
However, entry to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei and the Faroe Islands is severely restricted.
Stewart Wingate is the Chief Executive Officer of Gatwick Airport.
He said:
"Confirmation that international travel is to restart is very welcome news after what has undoubtedly been the most difficult period in the airport's history.
"We are particularly pleased to hear that Portugal is on the green travel list and we will have regular flights from Gatwick from 17th May allowing people to reunite with friends and family or enjoy an early Summer break.
"However, as soon as vaccination and infection rates make it safe to do so, we need more countries regularly added to the green list if the airport and our supply chains are to rebuild and protect as many jobs as possible.
"We look forward to welcoming back more passengers and can reassure them that we and our airlines are very well prepared to safely welcome back passengers in large numbers and have a significant range of social distancing, hygiene and testing provisions in place right across the airport campus."
Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and Chairman of VINCI Airports, added:
"Reconnecting two major countries on the European continent is very good news.
"By recovering, the tourist economy will support employment and growth.
"We are also very happy to give back to passengers the pleasure of travel, the pleasure of discovering other horizons and other cultures."
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