Airport operator responds to announcement of travel corridors

Airport operator, Manchester Airport Group has welcomed the announcement of 50 countries, declared ‘safe’ for UK travellers to journey to without a 14-day quarantine on return.

The listed countries include popular holiday destinations including Spain, Greece and a number of Caribbean island nations, and other countries will low prevalence of Covid-19. Travellers entering England from these countries after 10th July will no longer be subject to a period of self-isolation on return.

Those returning to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland via an English airport may still be required to quarantine, as public health matters are the responsibility of the devolved administrations in those nations.

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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has also lifted its blanket guidance advising against international travel, instead only the 50 ‘safe’ destinations are recommended for travel.

Charlie Cornish (pictured), CEO of the airport operator Manchester Airport Group, said of the announcement:

These travel corridors will open up the chance for people to enjoy a well-earned break abroad and directly benefit the hundreds of thousands of people whose jobs depend on air travel for their livelihoods – whether they work in aviation or for the UK’s tourism and hospitality businesses, which can now welcome the first overseas visitors we will have seen for months.

“We have made our airports safe for our passengers and staff, and our airports have already started limited operations to many of these countries. With the quarantine requirement now removed, we look forward to safely welcoming back many more passengers in the coming weeks.

“The Government should continue to take a risk-based approach to quarantine arrangements and, where possible, build more air bridges to key tourism and business destinations with low infection rates. Each one will help protect jobs and preserve billions of pounds worth of economic activity in the UK.”

The full list of 50 countries with travel corridors in place is available from the Government website.