The budget airline ended the day up 4.5%, while the holiday travel firm TUI was up 3.5%. British Airways’ owner International Airlines Group rose by almost 2%.
Cineworld gained 9.5% on hopes that cinemas will reopen in mid-May, as outlined by Johnson, while SSP Group soared 17% as investors bet on a pickup in sales at its Upper Crust and Caffè Ritazza stores once holidaymakers and commuters return to airports and railway stations. Bingo specialist Rank Group was up 6%.
Amid the prospect of outdoor drinking resuming from mid-April, followed by indoor hospitality from 17 May, shares in the cidermaker C&C Group jumped 9%. Premier Inn owner Whitbread edged closer to reversing stock market losses racked up since the start of the pandemic, while pub chain JD Wetherspoon also reached levels last seen a year ago.