Emotions sky-high as flights to US restart and loved ones are reunited
THOUSANDS of families and friends hugged and wept with joy yesterday as transatlantic flights finally resumed after 20 months.
President Trump had introduced the Covid travel ban. But the Empire State Building was lit up red, white and blue to welcome back the first UK visitors.
Arrivals into New York JFK Airport were greeted to cheering airline staff shouting “Welcome back” and a sea of American TV cameras.
There were jubilant scenes in Britain too. Kushnahar Islam, 65 and her daughter Nicola Islam, 32, travelled from Kent yesterday morning to meet sister Aisha Methew, 36, her husband Vincent and their two children Adam and Aaron.
It was the first time Mrs Islam had met youngest grandchild, Aaron.
Speaking after an emotional reunion, Aisha, from New Jersey, said: “It’s been 18 months but it feels like 18 years. It is so wonderful to be back together. We are just so happy.”
Sister Nicola added: “It was so hard not being able to see each other. We are a really close family.”
One of the most emotional reunions of the day was Louise Erebara meeting her
Happy days… Sean Doyle, the boss of BA, right, and Shai Weiss, who heads Virgin sister Jill Chambers from Manchester. The sisters and other members of the family hugged, wept and let out shrieks of joy as they ran into each other’s arms. A sobbing Jill said: “It’s been heartwrenching.” Louise, her tear-stained make-up running, said: “It’s been 730 days…She’s missed so much. She’s missed my babies.” And Alison Henry gave son Liam a huge hug after he emerged in the arrivals hall. British Airways carried around 8,000 people over the Atlantic to 17 airports on 26 flights yesterday – the highest number since the pandemic began.
Speaking to the Express on the first BA flight to the US, airline boss Sean Doyle said: “Twenty million people flew on the UK-US corridor in 2019. It’s one of the world’s biggest aviation markets.
“A lot of those people are just visiting friends and relatives.
“The emotional toll the pandemic has been having is significant. But the business toll has also been significant.” And he called for fully-vaccinated travellers to be exempt from testing upon arrival into the UK. Britain’s national carrier is now flying to destinations including New York, Boston, Denver, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Flights to Florida and Las Vegas resume next week.
He added: “We’re very keen to move very quickly.”
Virgin Atlantic, headed by Shai Weiss, also flew thousands of people to the US yesterday as Britain’s biggest airlines aim to rebuild after a grim 20 months.
people over the age of 75 have had their extra jab, the NHS said.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the NHS Covid-19Vaccination Programme, said: “It is fantastic to see such strong uptake for the booster vaccine, with over a million people rushing to book their extra dose over the weekend and making sure they have as much protection as possible ahead of winter.
“I’ve had my booster – it was quick and easy.
“I urge anyone else who is eligible to take up the offer as soon as possible, as the vaccine remains the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from coronavirus.”