Gatwick Airport urges the Government to open ‘air corridors’

From this week, people newly arriving in the UK are required to quarantine for two weeks to prevent new Covid-19 infections being imported.

But Gatwick chief operating officer Chris Woodruff said: “Fourteen-day quarantine will have a big impact on the airline industry in the short term,”

He said that the airport was working closely with the Government.“Our number one priority for everyone is the safety of passengers and staff but we are asking the Government if we can do something a bit more nuanced on a country by country basis.

“Passengers arriving from Dublin are exempt and we are asking the Government if there is a way of opening up air corridors to countries like Spain and Portugal.”

He spoke out after the airport announced new safety measures being installed at the airport before the North Terminal - which was shut in March after the pandemic led to a huge drop in air traffic - is reopened on Monday (June 15).

Chris Woodruff said the reopening was coinciding with a resumption of flights at Gatwick by Easjyet which grounded its entire fleet at the start of the Covid crisis.

Easyjet chief commercial and planning officer Robert Carey said: “We are delighted to announce that we will be flying the majority of our route network across Europe, meaning customers can still get to their chosen destination for their summer holidays this year.”

However, the campaign group CAGNE - Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions - is concerned over the increase in air traffic following the easing of restrictions. A spokesman said: “The impact of aviation on our planet must not be lost in the debate over airports re-opening for business.”

It is seeking assurances from local councils that they will include aviation in their climate change strategies.

The spokesman said: “Aviation is one of the biggest threats our planet faces today.

“This fact must not be lost in the debate as we need to look to more sustainable forms of green transport, which is not aviation now or any time soon.”

See also Gatwick Airport gets set for increase in flights

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.