Ban on Love Actually farewells as airports get set for holiday flights

Emotional “Love Actually-style” airport terminal farewells and reunions will be banned when holiday flights start again in the coming weeks.

Only passengers will be allowed to enter London’s holiday gateways under new aviation guidelines that will make the flying experience very different.

Bosses at Gatwick, Stansted and Luton — the departure points for most London holidaymakers — are preparing for a “dash for the Med” when air bridges to countries such as Spain, Italy and France — but not Portugal — are in place.

In total, about 75 countries and overseas territories are likely to be on a list that will not require people to quarantine for 14 days on return to the UK. But ministers have not yet confirmed the details of the air bridge plan, which had been expected to be in place by July 6.

Today Transport Secretary Grant Shapps appeared to blame the devolved administrations for the delay, telling SNP transport spokesman Gavin Newlands: “I’m very keen to get the devolved administrations, including the Scottish Government, on board so we can get this thing announced.” Ryanair are ramping up their schedules at Stansted to 100 flights a day, while Gatwick will handle about 50 daily take-offs and landings from next week. Family or friends dropping off or picking up passengers will be told to wait in their vehicles in car parks.

The only exceptions will be for picking up passengers with reduced mobility or unaccompanied minors. They will also have to be from the same household or “social bubble”. Passengers are advised to “avoid walking around the airport and mixing with people that you do not normally meet”. They will be required to wear face masks in the airport except when passing through immigration on their return.

There will be Perspex screens where passengers come in contact with staff. Many facilities, such as the children’s play areas, most shops and restaurants and lounges remain closed, and there will be limits on the numbers who can use lifts. Gatwick, Stansted and Luton are all trialling temperature-testing cameras. Queues will be longer because of the need to maintain social distancing, and many seats will be taped off.

Airlines will only provide water and face masks will have to be worn during the flight. Travel consultant Paul Charles said it would be a “sanitised and unpalatable” version of travel.

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