Spain urges UK to restore air bridges to its islands ‘today rather than tomorrow’
Spain is urging the UK to restore air bridges to the Balearic and Canary Islands
Spain’s Tourism Minister told reporters talks have been taking place ‘all weekend’.
Reyes Maroto said: "What we’d like is for quarantines to be lifted on the islands as early as possible and we hope it will be today rather than tomorrow."
Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told reporters on Sunday: "At the moment our dialogue efforts are focused on excluding from the quarantine measures the Balearic and the Canary Islands.
"[This is] for two reasons – number one, these are islands, very safe territories; number two, their epidemiological data is extremely positive and well below epidemiological data in the UK.
"We do hope that this dialogue we have started with the UK authorities, together with the governments of the Balearic and Canary Islands, will bear fruit shortly."
ABTA said: "Protecting public health is rightly a priority and it is understandable that decisions are being kept under constant review but no specific information has been shared by the Government as to the precise criteria or infection rates being used to determine policy positions, making it impossible for travel businesses to make more effective business decisions.
"As well as sharing this information, to minimise necessary disruption, ABTA also urges the Government to move as quickly as possible towards a regional approach to its quarantine policy.
"Such an approach might enable travel to the Balearics and Canary Islands, which are immensely popular destinations for British holidaymakers at this time of year."
By Lisa James, Deputy Editor (UK)
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
What’s new on Route 66 in Arizona
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-connected mainline aircraft
Qatar Airways expands connectivity to the USA and South America with Aer Lingus and LEVEL