Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways have joined forced to protest against the Government's 14-day quarantine rule for travellers who arrive in the UK from Monday.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the laws have been introduced to "to prevent a second wave" of coronavirus, after 77 more casualties on Saturday.
However, the three airlines described the move as "wholly unjustified and disproportionate" as many prepare to resume flights from July.
Under new guidelines, those arriving in the UK should drive their own car to their destination, where possible, and once at their destination they must not use public transport or taxis.
They must not go to work, school, or public areas, or have visitors - except for essential support.
But Ryanair, which is representing BA and easyJet, said the quarantine measures could hamper the sector's recovery after months of cancellations which have already resulted in billions of pounds in losses.
In a "pre-action protocol letter" sent to ministers, the three airlines said the government had failed to justify the blanket nature of the regulations.
"The effect is to establish a wholly unjustified and disproportionate restriction on individuals traveling to England (and questionably the United Kingdom) and will inevitably mean that there is very little increase in the numbers of persons leaving and entering the country," the letter explained.
Willie Walsh, the chief executive of BA owner IAG said on Friday that the industry had not been consulted and the company was considering a legal challenge.
The government has said the new regime will be in place across Britain, although enforcement measures will be set individually by each of the devolved nations. In England, a breach of rules will be punishable with a £1,000 fine. The maximum fine for repeat offenders in Scotland is £5,000. The enforcement rules in Wales are not clear.
Those arriving from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man will not have to complete a form or enter quarantine.
But the airlines argue the quarantine measures are more stringent than those imposed on people suspected of being or confirmed to be infected by the novel coronavirus who are asked to isolate and do not face criminal sanctions.
Their letter also said it was "illogical and irrational" to impose quarantine on people arriving from European Union countries that have lower infection rates than Britain.
Airline bosses have also questioned why no enforcement regulations have so far been published relating to the regions outside of England.
The three airlines also expressed their frustration that there is effectively a ban on people coming here from countries with a lower R - or coronavirus reproduction - rate.
Meanwhile, travellers could face pre-flight Covid-19 tests under future plans to help get the aviation industry moving.
One Whitehall source said: "People talk about tests on arrival — but the reality is you want to test before they take off. That will be the long-term goal."
Ministers have also raised the prospect of establishing air bridges or travel corridors to countries such as Spain and Portugal to aid the travel sector.
Meanwhile, Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye says the government must work round-the-clock to kick-start the industry.
He said “Countries all over the world are opening up – not because they don’t care about public health, but because they’re putting in place measures to protect health and protect jobs.
