May 31st 2021 was Heathrow’s 75th birthday. This is a special anniversary for the UK’s and Europe’s busiest airport (before Covid hit), as they celebrate 75 years since opening as a commercial operating hub. 

Before it became the Heathrow we know today, it was a very small airfield (similar in size to say, Cranfield airport) and was called The Great West Aerodrome. This opened in 1929, in between the two world wars. 

Today marks 75 years since we became a commercial airport. Despite the most difficult year in our history, we're using this milestone as a chance to reflect on the journey we've undertaken and look ahead at what the next 75 could bring. #Heathrow75 

 

So, the UK Government are now on their next step of the roadmap out of Covid 19 and hopefully back to some sort of normality. 

They have announced their traffic light system, which as you might have already worked out, will be red, amber and green ! 

 

The red list countries are really countries they DON’T want you to travel to or from. If you MUST, then on your return you will have to quarantine for 10 days at a government hotel at your expense, approx. £1750 per person. 

 

Amber list means you need to self isolate at your home for 10 days on your return, along with covid test and release if you wish to finish early 

The green list means you don’t need to quarantine or self isolate on your return, although you still need to pay for covid tests. 

 

The countries on it are Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, Israel, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, and Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira. 

 

At the time of writing, we are all hoping to hear some concrete news tomorrow (Monday 12th April) from Boris Johnson, regarding the possible return of international travel. Whilst the media have reported the traffic light system, we really will have to wait and see. 

 

HOWEVER there is some very positive news from America. Americans have resumed flying as passenger numbers have recorded through March and into April above one million passengers a day !  

 

This is such a promising sign for airlines around the world, as it is about 65% of pre covid levels. This proves that people still need or want to travel. 

After a slow start, people around the world are getting their first and second jabs. 

Many, if not all airlines are having to operate ghost flights to cope with the impact of COVID-19 schedules, which of course has seen a devastating impact on the airlines movements around the world. A ghost flight is when a plane fly’s without passengers, and typically lands back at the airport they took off from. Sometimes these flights can be for as little as half an hour. 

 

In normal times, a ghost flight would happen for a couple of reasons. It could be in order to go and collect stranded passengers from an airport that has a stricken plane. This happened to us a couple of years ago in Italy (very long story). It can also be in order to move a plane from one location to another. During the current covid pandemic, the vast majority of ghost flights are now in order to keep the aircraft “ticking over” (a bit like taking a car for a quick run to keep the fluids moving around the engine and gearbox).  

As the worlds battle with coronavirus continues, along with the great success of the UK vaccine roll out, unfortunately the aviation business has been dealt yet another blow. 

 

In order to try and contain new variants (mainly Brazil and South African), as mentioned in my previous blog, a red list of approximately 30 countries has come into effect. Most of us (me included), presumed these new rules took immediate effect from when the home secretary announced them several days ago. Alas not, they come into law from Monday 15th February. 

 

They are not too straight forward, and I have tried to understand them myself, and I hope a few lines from Matt Hancock,s Commons statement earlier today will help !!! (good luck) 

The UK Government have announced new quarantine hotel rules for ANYONE arriving at a UK airport. 

 

At the time of writing, a total of 30 countries are on a 'Red" list 

 

These countries are in South America and South Africa AND Portugal. This is due to two new strains of Covid-19 originating from these areas. 

PLEASE NOTE this list can change at any time 

 

If you fly into the UK from these countries AND even if you are a UK citizen, you will be bussed to a quarantine hotel, where you will have to stay for 10 days. This is at your cost. 

 

If you fly in from elsewhere, you will still need to quarrintine for 10 days (5 if another negative Covid test result) at your house or other declared address. 

Rumour has it, that in the next short while, government help for the stricken airports is going to be announced 

 

The "help" is an £8 million grant for each U.K. airport. It is said "this can be used to help towards standing costs, such as business rates" 

 

The problem is, this won't go very far, as apparently Heathrow airport's business rates are a staggering £10 million PER MONTH !!! 

 

All help is welcome, but this pales into insignificance when you hear of the help the pubs, bars and restaurants are receiving... 

 

 

The hard hit aviation industry has had some "good" news 

 

From the 15th December, people arriving in the UK MAY BE ABLE TO REDUCE their quarantine period from 14 to 5 days 

 

This will depend on a negative Covid-19 test result 

 

The test will be paid for by the traveller (expected cost £60 - £120) and must be carried out by an approved testing provider from day 5 of quarantine 

 

If the result is negative, the traveller can end their quarantine period and finish self isolation 

 

Although not AMAZING news, at least it is something positive... 

 

Let's hope the world starts returning to normal, sooner rather than later... 

 

Best wishes 

Thankyou 

PPT 

As and when travel starts to return to a decent level, and you are starting to look forward to tucking into your free flight snack - think again !!! 

 

Due to the huge financial impact on the airlines this year, they need to try and see some money coming back into the business - however large or small. 

 

As a result, a major airline, Lufthansa along with Swiss and Austrian (and I'm sure others will follow) will stop offering complimentary snacks on board from spring next year on short and medium haul. Pay on board snacks will be offered. 

 

 

A new airline Covid 19 5 star safety rating for airlines has just been announced 

 

British Airways and Lufthansa are the first airlines to be graded, and both have been awarded 4 stars 

 

This appears NOT to be government led, but a new system introduced by SKYTRAX. This organisation rates airlines and airports around the world for customer service and procedures implemented by the relevant authorities. It's a similar company to JD Power, who rate motor manufacturers and dealers for customer service and satisfaction. Like JD Power, SKYTRAX are highly regarded in their industry