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Friday, 26 June_UK holidaymakers desperately seeking to go abroad are eagerly awaiting next week’s announcement on air bridges, which should reveal how they shall work and which locales they cover. Many questions come to mind regarding these same said bridges.
What is an air bridge?
An air bridge, or travel corridor, is an agreement between two countries whereby tourists would be permitted to travel restriction. For UK nationals it would mean they would be exempt from having to quarantine for 14 days when they return from countries with low infection rates, and people from those countries would be permitted to travel to the UK without having to go into quarantine for a fortnight on entry.
Which countries would have an air bridge with the UK?
Initially, air bridges will, in all likelihood, be with popular European destinations including France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Greece. Portugal is planning to err on the side of caution, as there has been a spike in infection rates. Other notable omissions may be Croatia, Malta and Turkey. The second set of air bridges is assumed to include Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and Norway, as well as some Caribbean islands. There are also reports of a long-haul air bridge with Australia. There are no plans for an air bridge with the US at this stage.
When can we expect this to begin?
Despite the policy not having yet been officially announced, it is expected that travel corridors will initially be set up on 28 or 29 June with a view to the first air bridges coming into effect on 4 July.
What does the Foreign Office advise?
The Foreign Office is still warning against all but essential overseas travel, but this is expected to be lifted in the coming days.
Is demand high or are people being cautious?
Sean Tipton of Abta, a UK travel trade association, says: “It’s a very mixed picture – some people are desperate to get on the first plane out of here, others won’t feel comfortable travelling yet. Overall, demand will probably be lower than usual for this time of year, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing – it will make social distancing easier.” Paul Charles, a travel PR specialist who has been urging the government to outline its air bridge plans, says: “There is a lot of pent-up demand, but the level depends on the type of holiday. Villa bookings are through the roof because people want space and privacy, while hotels and packages will be slower this summer.” Sunvil, a company specialising in holidays to Greece, has noticed a modest rise in bookings over the past week and expects to be operating at about 25% capacity.
Are holidays likely to be more expensive?
No. Since demand is likely to be down, prices are hardly likely to shoot up. In fact, large operators such as Tui and Jet2 are expected to offer big discounts. However, prices will probably rise modestly after the official announcement of the air bridges. Charles says: “There are great deals for early birds who are booking now. Next week, prices will go up fast.”
Will there be enough flights to cope with demand?
Yes. Flight capacity is thought to be about 30% lower than last summer, but fewer people will be flying. Airlines will reinstate flights as and when they are needed. There will be temperature checks at airports and compulsory wearing of masks on planes.
Will popular resorts be really busy?
Unlikely. Many people will still be wary of travelling to tourist hotspots. Tipton says: “There won’t be the same kinds of crowds, so it could be the ideal time to go to places such as Venice.” Noel Josephides, the chairman of Sunvil, says he expects a holiday to Greece to be “like it was 30 years ago. Now is a good time to go: it will be as quiet as spring, but with summer weather and warmer seas.”
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