Air bridges expected to unlock tourism from European countries
The announcement of air bridges is expected to unlock much of western Europe from next month, kickstarting the tourism and hospitality industries.
The government is expected to announce the reopening of international travel to a list of countries on Monday 29 June.
Among those expected to be included are Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
The announcement is due to coincide with a three-week review of 14-day quarantine rules on international arrivals to the UK imposed on 8 June in the face of mass travel, aviation and hospitality industry opposition.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps told MPs yesterday that travel corridors would form "part of a solution" to quarantine restrictions.
A phased process will likely see selected European countries available from July 4, with mid-haul destinations added in August and some long-haul countries from September.
Paul Charles, spokesman for the Quash Quarantine industry lobby, said: "When Downing Street announces ‘travel corridors' on Monday, expect short-haul destinations to dominate – France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Ireland, Holland, Greece, Gibraltar. Long-haul is way off, possibly September, and the USA/Latin America more like November."
