‘Air bridges’ hope to put passengers back in the skies
AIR passengers have new hope of flying again after it was revealed coronavirus “air bridges” could ease travel restrictions.
The term usually refers to military flights over enemy territory but it is being used to describe how travel could occur between places with low-infection rates.
This would mean countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Greece might be excluded sometime in the future from tough new quarantine rules being drawn up by Government.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said a “blanket” 14-day isolation period for air, sea and rail arrivals would be introduced.
But he admitted “active discussions” were continuing over what countries could be exempt from the crackdown.
Mr Shapps indicated the measures could be eased for countries with low Covid-19 infection rates, adding: “Final details of the quarantine scheme will be released soon.
“We should consider further improvements – for example, things like air bridges, enabling people from other countries who have themselves achieved lower levels of coronavirus infection to come to the country. So, those are active discussions but will go beyond what will initially be a blanket situation.”
The revelation to the Commons Transport Committee came after Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary claimed plans to impose a 14-day quarantine on international travellers were “idiotic”.
The budget airline magnate suggested mandatory face masks would work just as well.
Under the proposals, those entering the UK will have to self-isolate either in accommodation of their choice or that provided by the Government if there are no other options.
An implementation date has not yet been set but the plans would be reviewed every three weeks, Downing Street stated.
Billionaire Mr O’Leary said Ryanair would operate nearly 1,000 flights a day from July 1.
He added: “It’s laughable this Government can come up with any plans for a quarantine that will be fully enforced.
“It’s idiotic and un-implementable. You don’t have police to implement a two-week lockdown.A two-week lockdown has no medical or scientific basis to it in any event. If you really want to do something that’s effective, wear masks.”
Mr O’Leary’s fury came after the Government said travel should be undertaken only if absolutely necessary and passengers displaying virus symptoms should not travel.
Guidance says all flight passengers should remain two metres apart where possible. But airline bosses said this was impossible to enforce.
Britain’s aviation and tourism industries warned the quarantine plan risked worsening the economic impact of Covid-19.
Air passengers coming into the UK between April 16 and April 22 was 99 per cent lower than the same period last year.
Boris Johnson said on May 10 quarantine would be imposed on passengers arriving in the UK but the French were exempt.This has since been corrected.