HOLS HOPE
Boris Johnson sparks holiday hope as he confirms he’s looking at ‘air bridges’ with other countries
BRITS could be getting off on a summer holiday after all, after Boris Johnson confirmed the Government is looking at air "bridges" with other countries.
He was grilled by MPs today on whether the nation could be able to take advantage of cheap flights being released, as air travel prepares to start up again following the coronavirus crisis.
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But Brits coming back into the UK at the moment will face a two-week quarantine from the start of June, as part of attempts to control the spread of the virus into the country.
However, it will be reviewed every three weeks as part of efforts to keep "flows as generous as we can", he stressed.
Boris today confirmed that his ministers are looking into exemptions between other countries with low infection levels - possibly by the end of June.
He was asked by MP Huw Merriman what would need to change between now and the end of next month for that to happen.
"We will have to agree them with the other counties concerned, and we will also have to make progress on fighting the disease," he replied.
"We will have to have evidence that the other countries are at least in as a good a position as we are."
Air bridges will only be considered with countries which have low rates of infection too, he hinted.
The Government has stressed it's not yet Government policy to agree deals with other nations, but have said it's under consideration.
At the moment the Foreign Office travel advice is that nothing but essential travel out of the country should happen while the world fights the virus.
It's been reported that one of the nation's the Government is in talks with is Portugal.
Talks between the two sides are in an “initial phase”, according The Times.
Responding to reports of an air corridor being established between the two countries, the Portuguese foreign ministry said: “Given the relevant reciprocal interests, the foreign ministry is confident that it will be possible to agree a solution that meets these interests, especially concerning the coming summer season.”
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But already the airline industry is preparing to reopen the skis and put on more flights.
And Europe's tourist hotspots are planning for how to reopen again to visitors from around the world.
Ryanair is set to launch 1,000 daily flights by July, with routes to popular destinations including Spain, Greece and Portugal.
The low-cost airline will restart routes to Europe from July 1.
Flights can now be booked from July onwards, with flights to Spain and France starting from .
Temperature checks will be conducted at airport entry and wearing face masks or coverings at all times in the terminal and on board aircraft.
Anyone who doesn't pass the temperature check will be removed from the terminal, and masks will be given to those who don't have them.
British Airways also hopes to resume flights by July, although warned that the mandatory 14-day quarantine may force it to postpone.
EasyJet hopes to restart its flight schedule as soon as June 15.
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