British Airways, Ryanair and EasyJet threaten to go to court over government quarantine programme

Passengers were oblivious to the last-minute Mayday call two minutes before the flight touched down: AFP via Getty Images

British Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair are believed to be threatening to take the government's quarantine plan to judicial review if it is not rescinded.

BA is believed to be writing to ministers saying the legislation, which kicks in on Monday, is irrational and will not work.

It is set to propose that the 14 day quarantine should only apply to travellers arriving from especially high risk countries.

Sources said while the letter was from BA, it had the support of the two other airlines.

It says that if the quarantine policy is not reviewed, they will seek a judicial review.

BA and EasyJet declined to comment, but a Ryanair spokesman said: "We will support any legal action launched by IAG against the UK's ineffective and useless visitor quarantine."

A judicial review is where a judge examines the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body.