A number of airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 have announced their plans to restart flights from next month.
While you may have thought your chance of feeling the heat hit you in the face when the plane doors open had completely flown away until next year, a glimmer of hope has been given by some airlines.
Many popular destinations have begun steps in welcoming foreign visitors to their country. Matt Hancock in a recent television interview said he ‘wouldn’t rule out’ the possibility of people being able to go on holiday in July.
Despite all this, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently still urging the public to not travel abroad.
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From June 8th, there will be a quarantine programme in place at UK airports meaning international travellers coming to the UK will have to provide information about where they will be self-isolating for 14 days to border officials.
If not, these individuals could face quarantining in government-arranged accommodation.
The majority of airlines are set to restart flight schedules from next month, including Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.
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Ryanair
Last month, the low budget airline announced its intention to restart 40% of the normal flight schedule, with daily flights from countries all over northern Europe and flights to key holiday airports.
The airline’s CEO Eddie Wilson said: “All Ryanair flights will operate with new health guidelines in place, which will require all passengers (and Ryanair crews) to wear face masks at all times in the airport terminals and on board our aircraft, in compliance with EU guidelines.
“We look forward to welcoming millions of Ryanair passengers and their families back on board, and flying them on holiday as Europe’s economies begin to recover from these difficult recent lockdowns, which have been so successful in reversing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.”
You can currently buy tickets for flights in July from Manchester Airport to:
easyJet is preparing to offer customer flights on half of its normal routes by the end of the month. Flights will be on a much lower frequency, meaning the airline will be operating at around 30% capacity between July and September.
There will be many measures in place including customers and cabin crew expected to wear face masks throughout their journey.
Flights from Manchester Airport with easyJet will start in September but flights from London Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Belfast will begin on June 15th.
You can currently buy tickets for flights from Manchester Airport to a huge range of destinations including:
Jet2 has announced it will be recommencing flight programme from July 1st with disinfected aircraft and transfer coaches. Passengers will not be expected to wear face masks on board currently.
You can currently buy tickets for flights in July from Manchester Airport to:
There is, of course, travel bans in place to UK tourists in 22 countries around the world, so it still remains the case that going on holiday this year will be a complicated business.
The date for when British tourists will have to pay to enter European holiday hotspots has changed, the European Union has confirmed.
It was originally announced that anyone from the UK travelling to one of the twenty-six countries in the Schengen States will have to apply and pay for a visa from September 2023.
From then, any British tourist travelling to any of the twenty-six Schengen State countries will have to apply via an official website and/or app for mobile devices with a fee of €7.
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The ETIAS has been designed to enhance security and enforce the borders of the Schengen zone, which includes popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy.
They will be required for anyone over the age of eighteen and under the age of seventy travelling to one of the countries, whether it be by airplane, boat or car.
Tourists will need a passport or equivalent document to apply, and it’s estimated that for the majority of people, ETIAS will be approved within minutes.
However, those who are flagged as a potential risk could face a wait of up to ninety-six hours.
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An ETIAS will cost €7 (£5), with successful applicants being permitted to travel within the Schengen Zone for up to ninety days per 180-day period.
There are 26 countries in the Schengen Area, all of which will fall under the new visa system:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
For more information and to see if you’re eligible to apply for the new ETIAS visa, visit the official ETIAS website here.
Spanish officials have addressed the controversy surrounding the country’s new policy regarding British tourists’ spending money.
According to various reports last week, holiday-goers are now required to prove they can spend at least €100 (£85) a day for the duration of their holiday.
It was also suggested that tourists will need to provide evidence of a return flight or onward ticket, as well as proof of accommodation while on holiday.
A number of British travel firms criticised the alleged new policy, arguing that Brits contribute hugely to the large tourism market.
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But now, Spanish officials have dismissed these reports and clarified which rules British tourists need to be aware of.
A statement on behalf of the Spanish Tourist Office said the rule was not new and had in fact been in force since January 1st. It added that the regulations were not confined to Spain and applied to visitors from most nations outside the EU-Schengen border-free travel area.
Manuel Butler, the Spanish Tourist Office director, said: “The requirement for UK travellers to be able to illustrate sufficient means for the duration of their stay and the return is established in the Schengen Borders Code and is not a Spain-specific requirement.
“This is not a new requirement and has been in place for some time for visitors from outside of the European Union or Schengen area. When entering Spain, these checks are not systematically carried out for every traveller.
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“Likewise, travellers coming to the UK are also required to show that they have specific means to support themselves and any dependents for the duration of the trip and the ability to pay for the return or onward journey.”
The UK Foreign Office guidelines states: “Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area.
“If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.”
Read more about the government’s entry advice for Spain here.
Tourists heading to Spain this summer will need to prove they have adequate spending money under new travel restrictions.
Holiday-goers will now be required to prove they can spend at least €100 (£85) a day for the duration of their holiday. They may also need to provide evidence of a return flight or onward ticket, as well as proof of accommodation while on holiday.
These requirements follow a U-turn on Spain’s decision to ease airport congestion for holidaymakers by allowing all UK passport-holders to use automatic e-gates to enter the country.
British travel firms have criticised the tough new policies, arguing that Brits contribute hugely to the large tourism market.
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The Spanish Ministry del Interior said on the new entry requirements: “Foreigners from third countries must prove – if required to do so by the officials in charge of controlling the entry of people into Spanish territory – that they have economic resources for entering the country.
“This could be through cash, traveller’s cheques, payment letters, or credit cards, which must also be proven to have sufficient funds available on them.”
The UK Foreign Office added: “At Spanish border control, you may need to show a return or onward ticket, show you have enough money for your stay, show proof of accommodation for your stay, for example, a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property, or an invitation from your host or proof of their address if staying with a third party, friends or family.
“The Spanish government has clarified that the ‘carta de invitation’ is one of the options available to prove that you have accommodation if staying with friends or family.
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“Tourists may also be asked to provide evidence that they are able to spend a minimum of €100 each day of their holiday, equating to £85.22 plus an additional minimum of €900.”
British tourists are also reminded to check their passport stamps to see if they enter or exit the EU Schengen area through Spain as a visitor.
The UK Foreign Office guidelines states: “Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area.
“If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.”
Read more about the government’s entry advice for Spain here.