Airport jobs blow as foreign holiday f lights finally get green light

‘800 Scottish staff at risk’

SCOTS can enjoy a holiday from July 3 after the five-mile travel limit is lifted – as it emerged more than 4,500 airport jobs could go.

The First Minister yesterday announced that the restriction on travel for leisure or recreation will be relaxed next month.

But Foreign Office advice remains that British nationals should not make non-essential foreign journeys, meaning it is unlikely people will be able to get travel insurance.

This is despite airlines hoping to resume flights, with easyJet starting limited services this month with plans to restart 75 per cent of its routes by the end of August.

Ryanair and British Airways have also announced plans to boost their services from July.

EU-wide travel restrictions were lifted on June 15 – with each country left to decide when they would be ready to open up for tourists.

Some countries, including Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Greece are now allowing holidaymakers from the UK – with no quarantine needed.

But those travelling abroad from the UK will be forced to quarantine for 14 days on their return home.

Miss Sturgeon announced further easing of lockdown restrictions yesterday – with hotels, B&Bs, campsites and caravan parks set to open from July 15. Those who own second homes, campervans or caravans can use them from next Friday, July 3.

Miss Sturgeon said: ‘I can confirm that, on July 3, it is our intention to lift the guidance advising people to travel no more than five miles for leisure and recreation.’

Miss Sturgeon urged people to use ‘good judgment’ and ‘abide by the rules that apply to households meeting up’.

She also asked that people continue to ‘avoid crowded places’. However, although this may allow Scots to travel to the airport, in Ireland and New Zealand all visitors are asked to self-isolate for 14 days on their arrival.

In Greece all tourists will have to take a coronavirus test when they arrive – and self-isolate if positive.

Boris Johnson is due to make a statement on June 29 which will set out whether ministers have secured ‘air bridges’ with some EU countries.

Meanwhile, it emerged that hundreds of jobs at Scottish airports are under threat after a ground handling company announced huge cuts.

Swissport, which has bases at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen airports, told staff that up to 4,556 jobs could be cut across the UK.

Union Unite Scotland fears this puts more than 800 Scottish roles at risk.

Swissport chief executive for Western Europe Jason Holt said the firm had been ‘hit hard’ by Covid 19, with revenues ‘almost completely lost’ during the lockdown.

Mr Holt said: ‘The fact is, there simply aren’t enough aircraft flying for our business to continue running as it did before the Covid-19 outbreak, and won’t be again for some time to come.’