The pan-European STOXX 600 index gained 0.8% by 0717 GMT, with sectors that took a hit from this week’s plunge – like automakers and miners – rising the most.
Still, the benchmark was on course to record a 0.4% weekly loss after a fresh jump in COVID-19 cases, particularly in Asia, and a rally in bond markets hit appetite for risky assets.
British Airways-owner IAG, easyJet and Ryanair rose between 1% and 2.6% as Britain planned to scrap quarantine for fully-vaccinated arrivals from other countries in the coming weeks.
French planemaker Airbus gained 2.5% after it reported a 52% jump in deliveries in the first half of the year.
British luxury goods group Burberry rose 2.7% after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to “buy”, while Italian rival Salvatore Ferragamo slipped 1.0% after the U.S. bank downgraded it to “sell”.
