EMA bosses expecting numbers to hot up soon
EAST Midlands Airport has praised the Government’s introduction of travel corridors to enable people to jet off for sunshine breaks without having to go into quarantine when they return.
The corridors, which affect countries such as Spain, started last Friday, and so far they appear to have had a limited impact at the airport, according to a spokesman, as only Ryanair is operating passenger flights at the moment.
However, he added things would get busier from July 15, when Jet2 starts flying again. He also said “we imagine volumes will increase” with the start of the school holidays.
Charlie Cornish, group chief executive of EMA owner’s, MAG, said: “These travel corridors will open up the chance for people to enjoy a well-earned break abroad and directly benefit the hundreds of thousands of people whose jobs depend on air travel for their livelihoods - whether they work in aviation or for the UK’S tourism and hospitality businesses, which can now welcome the first overseas visitors we will have seen for months.
“We have made our airports safe for our passengers and staff, and our airports have already started limited operations to many of these countries. With the quarantine requirement now removed, we look forward to safely welcoming back many more passengers in the coming weeks. The Government should continue to take a risk-based approach to quarantine arrangements and, where possible, build more air bridges to key tourism and business destinations with low infection rates. Each one will help protect jobs and preserve billions of pounds worth of economic activity in the UK.” Passengers travelling through MAG’S three airports at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands are being asked to cover their faces and wear gloves to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The airports were the first in the UK to ask their passengers to wear face coverings. Passengers are being encouraged to bring their own gloves and face coverings or face masks to the airport. However, in the early stages of the pilot, for those arriving without, the airport will provide gloves and masks that can be worn throughout passengers’ time in the airport.
Staff will also be on hand to guide passengers and help them navigate through the usual security processes while wearing protective equipment.
The EMA spokesman said: “Passengers appear to be coping very well and all are complying.”
In addition to the new guidelines for passengers, MAG has been conducting limited temperature screening trials. Initially, during this trial phase, this will be to test equipment and results will not be communicated to passengers or used to decide whether a passenger can travel.