Less than two weeks ago, the UK opened up a travel corridor with Portugal enabling holidaymakers to travel freely between the two countries without having to self-isolate on their return to the UK. But a fortnight later and the corridor is at risk of closing again this weekend due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, Greece is clamping down on island restrictions after passengers arriving in Cardiff tested positive for COVID-19 having returned from the Greek island of Zante. Scotland and Wales have already placed Greece on its quarantine list as of Thursday 3 September.
Passengers understand there is a risk if they travel abroad and for many it’s a risk worth taking. But this game of ‘quarantine roulette’ is not a long-term solution. Heathrow Airport’s CEO, John Holland-Kaye, believes the UK Government simply doesn’t have the bandwidth to deal with anything beyond the current health crisis. Addressing Aviation Club members on Wednesday 2 September he underlined that, “It’s no good standing on the sidelines and criticising the government. We need to step up and help them understand that aviation is a lifeblood for the economy and re-opening borders safely is vital to ensuring a successful recovery.”
Heathrow, which in collaboration with Collinson and Swissport already has a COVID-19 testing facility ready to go, is pushing the UK Government to give the green light for COVID testing at airports. Holland-Kaye also acknowledges that it’s vital regional hubs across the UK are not left behind on the road to recovery. He noted that his airport is already in touch with Cardiff Airport to share and discuss its research on testing. “We need airports across our route network to be in an equally strong position as we emerge from the current situation,” he argued.
To help boost travel demand Swiss Airlines is also calling for coronavirus testing to be implemented at Switzerland’s airports to help passengers avoid the country’s compulsory 10-day quarantine requirement. Under Swiss Airline’s plan, the costs of the tests would be jointly covered by medical providers and airports rather than the passengers. And in Germany, those returning from abroad are tested free of charge at all major airports and have been since early August.
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) Director General, Alexandre de Juniac, has lamented the lack of cooperation between governments in implementing the restart of air travel with policies such as closed borders and quarantines continuing to annihilate the industry. “What is killing aviation is the fact that governments are not managing the risks of open borders. Instead they are keeping global mobility effectively in lockdown… We need governments to take on the leadership to manage risks and adopt a mindset of not being defeated by the virus. Then, with testing, technology, science and determination we can re-open borders and get the world moving again,” he stated.
We certainly shouldn’t be gambling with aviation’s future. Yes COVID-19 has been devastating but aviation stakeholders still have everything to play for and as Holland-Kaye concluded, “We can achieve extraordinary things when we work together.”
Best wishes,
Chloe Greenbank
Editor, Regional Gateway
