Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JET ME OUT OF HERE
New flying guidelines boost hopes of holidays Passengers need masks and all bags to go in hold
PEOPLE hoping to fly abroad again for summer holidays were given a boost yesterday as ministers issued new guidance on air travel.
Passengers will have to wear facemasks at airports, wash hands after touching surfaces and check all bags into the hold.
They will also need to stay seated on flights and minimise contact with cabin crew.
The guidelines were issued by the Department for Transport in a bid to help dig the aviation industry out the coronavirus crisis, which could spark a £66billion loss for airlines.
But there were more calls to axe the 14-day quarantine for people arriving in the UK, which came into force this week.
Airport Operators Association chief executive Karen Dee said: “These measures mark a great step forward in building the confidence needed in the aviation system and get Britain flying again. Removing the quarantine and putting in a more risk-based approach to border health measures, such as what was announced today, is essential if the UK aviation industry is to restart.”
Brits desperate for a foreign getaway hope the guidance is the latest milestone in preparing for flights abroad – if the Foreign
Office eases travel restrictions.
They are pinning their hopes on “air bridges” linking the UK to sunshine destinations with low infection rates. Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade said the guidelines “demonstrate how airlines can apply targeted and multi-layered measures to ensure air travel is safe for customers and crew”. He added: “They pave the way for the introduction of air bridges, and there is no reason we shouldn’t be getting clarity from Government on when and how these will be established soon.” Manchester Airport Group chief strategy officer Tim Hawkins said: “This provides
the basis for the restart and recovery of the aviation industry.
“With similar protocols being adopted in other countries, and a targeted approach to reopening travel to low-risk countries, we will have the elements in place to get our economy moving again and protect jobs throughout the whole aviation supply chain.”
However, passengers hoping to travel light may have to put their hand luggage in the hold.
The DFT guidance states: “You are encouraged to check in baggage to the aircraft hold and minimise any hand baggage.
“This will speed up boarding and disembarking, and minimise the risk of transmission.”
Checking in a 15kg bag for an
Easyjet flight from Gatwick to Glasgow on Monday cost an additional £23.99 yesterday.
Shadow Transport Secretary Jim Mcmahon said: “When airlines charge to put baggage in the hold, how many passengers will listen to advice to not carry hand luggage?”
Easyjet, which is due to resume flying on Monday, insisted it is allowing passengers to bring hand luggage on board.
But a spokesman said: “We are asking them to try to minimise this and advising them they will be required to stow it themselves in the overhead lockers.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps warned Brits to still “avoid all non-essential travel”.
But he added: “Today we are taking the necessary steps to ensure a framework is in place for the aviation industry to bounce back when it is safe for restrictions on travel to be lifted.”
Air travel effectively ground to halt in March as countries closed borders. The number of passengers worldwide plunged 91% in April.
The International Air Transport Association believes it will take the industry two years to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Director-general Alexandre de Juniac said: “Financially, 2020 will go down as the worst year in the history of aviation.
“On average, every day of this year will add $230million [£182billion] to industry losses.”