Manchester Evening News

Airport owners are ‘disappoint­ed’ at lack of restart date

MANCHESTER AIRPORT GROUP LOOKING FOR FIRM DATE WHEN OVERSEAS TRAVEL CAN BEGIN AGAIN

- By TOM HOUGHTON

THE group that owns Manchester Airport has said it is “hugely disappoint­ed” the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown still includes no provision for a return to restrictio­n-free travel.

Manchester Airport Group (MAG) has released a statement responding to the Government’s refusal to commit to restarting internatio­nal travel - but said it welcomed the “desire” to see it resume “as soon as possible”.

It follows Monday’s statement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in which he confirmed that shops, hairdresse­rs and pub gardens will reopen on April 12.

Documents published by the Government following the statement confirmed that a traffic light system would be introduced to cover internatio­nal travel, though foreign holidays would not be allowed any time before May 17.

MAG said it believed the Government was “working hard” to make May 17 the day when people can begin travelling overseas again.

A spokesman for the group, which also owns East Midlands Airport and London Stansted, said the Government must now provide clarity on how the restrictio­ns will be eased.

He said: “Throughout this crisis, the travel industry has recognised the need for measures to prevent the spread of the virus, and to respond to the emergence of new variants of concern, both in the UK and abroad.

“That is why it is good to see that the Global Travel Taskforce has developed a ‘traffic light’ system, based on the risk associated with travelling to different countries, and taking account of the success of the UK’s vaccinatio­n programme.

“However, it is hugely disappoint­ing that the proposed framework includes no provision for a return to restrictio­n-free travel, either now or in the future when the conditions are judged to be appropriat­e.”

He said aviation had been the sector “hardest hit” by the pandemic, and that its revival was “key” to the country’s wider economic recovery.

He added: “It supports more than one million jobs, helps British businesses to become global success stories and enables families to stay in touch and enjoy hard-earned holidays abroad.

“It is vital that all those who rely on aviation - for holidays, employment or trade - can see a full roadmap to normality, as is the case with every other sector of the economy.

“The government must now focus on restoring consumer confidence, providing clarity for travellers and opening up access to more destinatio­ns as quickly as possible.

“We will continue working with the government and our industry partners to keep these measures under review, with the ultimate objective of removing restrictio­ns altogether.”

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Manchester Airport

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