The 17:10 Ryanair departure to Faro, Portugal, on Monday 17 May, is the first passenger flight from EMA since international travel was prohibited when the UK went into lockdown at the start of the year.
The lifting of international travel restrictions, last week, was coupled with the introduction of a ‘traffic light’ system placing countries on green, amber or red lists. Each tier has its own restrictions, such as quarantine and testing requirements upon return to the UK.
Of the countries currently on the Government’s ‘green list’ – passengers travelling back from those dstinations do not have to self-isolate upon their return to the UK - only Portugal is served by the airlines that operate out of EMA.
Monday’s flight will be the first of over 20 scheduled departures throughout May. In addition to Portugal, there are also flights to Alicante, Malaga and some Greek islands, although these remain on the amber list which means that passengers will need to self-isolate for 10 days when back in the UK - although this can end early with a negative test on day five.
Clare James, EMA’s Managing Director, says: “I’m very much looking forward to welcoming passengers back to EMA on Monday. Even though numbers will be very low for a few weeks until more popular destinations are added to the green list, it marks a pivotal moment for our passenger operation. We very much hope that this is the start of what will eventually become a busy summer season which we need given the devastating impact the pandemic has had on air travel. I’d like to reassure all our customers that we continue to implement the highest safety measures across the airport.”
Along with Heathrow, EMA was one of the first two UK airports to have received Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) assurance for the measures put in place to provide COVID-security for passengers and staff. The airport was a trial for this accreditation last year. Enhanced cleaning, perspex screens, mandatory face coverings, and sanitizer stations will continue to help keep passengers safe. EMA also continues to follow the latest Government and Public Health England advice, as it has done throughout the pandemic.
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