Masks on throughout during ‘clean, safe, secure’ flight home
CLEAN, safe and secure. That is how one of the passengers on the first flight from Spain to Cardiff since lockdown described his experience.
Security company boss Dan Hill flew from Malaga to Cardiff Airport yesterday morning on his way home from a business trip, and said there were only around 20 people on the flight.
He had left from Bristol Airport four days before, but wanted to travel home to Wales when he found out that flights were available.
The Ryanair plane landed at 9.40am after the budget airline ignored a call from the Welsh Government to cancel it, because of the five-mile travel restriction that is in place in Wales until Monday, July 6.
A Ryanair flight from Faro in Portugal was also due to land at Cardiff Airport at 7pm last night.
A Welsh Government minister said they were “disappointed” that the airline had gone ahead with the flights.
But Mr Hill praised the airline and said he felt confident they had taken every precaution on the flight, but was surprised there were no checks when he landed at Cardiff.
“There were very few passengers on board and everyone was spaced out,” said Mr Hill, who runs Cardiff-based Axel Events. “The plane was exceptionally clean and we had to wear our face masks throughout the flight.
“There were no hot drinks served on board, and everything felt very safe, secure and very professional. It was probably safer than going to a supermarket with hundreds of other people.
“The whole experience actually felt very safe. They are taking very strict controls in Spain and if you go out without a mask you could be slapped with a 1,000 Euro fine.”
Mr Hill said that before leaving Bristol on his outbound journey, he had a detailed health form to fill in that was checked at the airport before flying.
He said when he arrived at Malaga Airport there was a hi-tech camera system and temperature check that took about 25 seconds to pass through and get the result.
But he said he was surprised to land at Cardiff and find no temperature checks.
Public Health Wales confirmed earlier this week that there will not be any staff at Cardiff Airport to meet passengers.
A spokesman said: “Public Health Wales staff will not be at the airport, but all returning passengers who meet the criteria for self-isolation will receive an email from Public Health Wales advising them of the need to self-isolate.”
The Border Force will collect data from people returning to the UK. This data will include email addresses which will be subsequently passed on to Public Health Wales.
Mr Hill said: “I was quite surprised that there were not more checks when we arrived in Cardiff, but it is good to see that flights have resumed.
“I know there has been concern because of the five-mile rule, but the economy has got to get going. I was travelling for work, and it is easier to use Cardiff Airport. We need some clear advice as well on quarantining.
“I have to go back soon on business, so it is important that we know how it is going to work.”