First passengers at International Airport set for ‘no frills’ experience
long goodbye with loved ones in departures, a relaxing drink or two over lunch and browsing in the perfume shop are the things which have long made air travel tolerable — even enjoyable.
But in a new era of Covid-19, it is not just budget airlines offering a ‘no frills’ service.
As it prepares to welcome its first passengers since lockdown next week, Belfast International Airport is letting its customers know what to expect. And the frills we have always enjoyed, which offset the inevitable stresses of rushing for a flight, are now gone.
First, the airport prefers travellers to say their goodbyes outside the terminal to cut down on the number of people inside.
Travellers are also advised to wear face coverings and observe social distancing throughout. Clear markings will indicate how social distancing can be maintained.
And for now, no shops, restaurants or bars are open in the terminal building, although the airport says it is keeping this under review.
So travellers should bring their own sandwiches or snacks with them to eat before going through departures — but there may be much less seating around than before to discourage people from sitting too close to one another. The airport says seating areas will be distanced, with space markings — so if travellers are a family group, they may not all get to sit together within the airport building.
To help maintain social distancing, a one way system for passengers entering and exiting the building will be operating throughout the airport. There will also be hand sanitiser and handwashing facilities at various points throughout the airport, as well as hygiene screens installed at close contact points.
In addition, drinking water will only be available via water refill stations — travellers should bring their own bottles — and vending machines.
Staff will also be on hand to guide passengers through the new system.
Easyjet will fly out of the airport for the first time since lockdown on Monday, with the first international flight, to Faro in Portugal, on Tuesday.
Graham Keddie, the airport managing director, said: “Belfast International Airport is ready to welcome back our passengers. To reassure them, and everyone, we are working in line with all international guidance to continue to provide essential connectivity for Northern Ireland.
“We have a number of new measures in place so passengers are able to travel. I know these may seem inconvenient initially, however our priority is the safety and wellbeing of all who pass through the airport.
“We would ask for the co-operation, patience and support of all passengers at this time. These rules are for everyone’s safety as we begin the journey towards an increase in passenger numbers and flights over the coming months.”
From next week, easyjet is launching a reduced flying schedule to eight destinations: London Gatwick, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Faro.
However, throughout lockdown, the airport has been providing an airlink for emergency medical and cargo operations, working 24 hours a day.
It has had well-documented problems in the past with lengthy queues through security. No doubt huge preparation will have gone into how socially-distant queues for security is to be managed next week.
“In order to ensure social distancing, a limited number of security lanes will be available,” the airport said in a statement.
“Passengers should use the floor markings as a guide of where to stand and we would encourage all passengers to factor this in and allow enough time to clear security.
“The normal security policies remain in place, so we would ask people to prepare ahead of arriva ing at the airport (e.g. liquids for carry-on) to enable us to process passengers as quickly as possible to keep the queues moving.”
And above all travellers must be well before setting off for the airport. It warns: “Anyone feeling unwell or symptomatic must stay at home, they will not be allowed on any flights and will be asked to leave the airport immediately.”