Glimmer of hope for sunseekers: Britain could have 'regionalised' air bridges to Spanish islands including Ibiza and the Canary Islands as disgruntled Croatian holidaymakers return to go into isolation
Sunseekers returning from low-risk holiday islands could be exempt from quarantine as part of a review of the travel corridor scheme, it has emerged.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said ministers are examining the possibility of ‘regional travel corridors’ which could allow quarantine-free flights from destinations such as the Canaries or Balearics.
The plans are due to be discussed by ministers as part of an upcoming review of travel corridors, which could also lead to the first trials of airport coronavirus tests.
However, Mr Shapps warned the Government will need accurate infection rate data from island destinations before officials can green-light the proposals.
Sunseekers returning from low-risk holiday islands (such as the Canaries, pictured) could be exempt from quarantine as part of a review of the travel corridor scheme, it has emerged
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said ministers are examining the possibility of ‘regional travel corridors’ which could allow quarantine-free flights from destinations such as the Canaries (pictured) or Balearics
A man in a protective mask sells cookies on the beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, Spain
It came as 20,000 British holidaymakers faced a rush to escape Croatia yesterday (Dubrovnik Airport pictured) following the decision to add the country to the quarantine list, along with Austria and Trinidad and Tobago
From 4am on Saturday travellers arriving to the UK from Croatia (Split airport pictured) will have to self-isolate for 14 days after a spike in coronavirus cases led to the British government removing Croatia from its safe travel list
Mr Shapps (pictured) warned the Government will need accurate infection rate data from island destinations before officials can green-light the proposals
Asked whether Britons might soon be able to go on holiday to the Canaries, he told BBC Breakfast: ‘I think there is a case for regionalisation. I think it’s harder to do within a country - people say, with France for example, why don’t you just do this region and not the other?
‘The answer is it’s quite easy to travel about the country so we’re not able to do it like that. Where there are islands, that is something we are looking at.
‘Of course, then you get down to how good a level of detail you’ve got about individual islands which might be part of another country with a landmass somewhere else.
‘Those are things that we’re looking at in the review, along with how we could test at airports, we’re also looking at how you could do regionalisation effectively.’
The prospect of regional corridors will be welcomed by airline and airport bosses who describe the quarantine rule as a ‘blunt tool’ that fails to take into account the relatively low level of cases in specific regions of restricted countries.
It came as 20,000 British holidaymakers faced a rush to escape Croatia yesterday following the decision to add the country to the quarantine list, along with Austria and Trinidad and Tobago.
From 4am on Saturday travellers arriving to the UK from the Mediterranean country will have to self-isolate for 14 days after a spike in coronavirus cases led to the British government removing Croatia from its safe travel list.
At London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 on Friday evening, British Airways flights arriving from the Croatian city of Dubrovnik and the capital Zagreb were among the last to arrive in the UK before the quarantine deadline.
Adam and Katie Marlow, from Buckinghamshire, were forced to drive a hire car three hours from the coastal city of Zadar to Zagreb to catch a new flight home instead of returning on Saturday.
The couple decided to come back earlier than planned due to 33-year-old Ms Marlow's pregnancy and her need to return to work on Monday.
They said their new flights costs around £300, while the care hire was another £100.
Asked about the Government's handling of the travel corridor rules, Mr Marlow, 37, who works for a financial company, said: 'With most of the changes I support everything they do, I would say though that they should publish the criteria for where the cases are.
Travellers exit Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 on August 22. As of Saturday morning at 4am, travellers arriving in England from Austria, Croatia, and Trinidad and Tobago were required to quarantine themselves for 14 days
Tourists wearing face masks wait at Split International Airport in Split, Croatia, yesterday. Steve Laws, 53, a company director from Thame in Oxfordshire, blasted the Government's actions as 'shambolic'
Adam and Katie Marlow, from Buckinghamshire, were forced to drive a hire car three hours from the coastal city of Zadar to Zagreb to catch a new flight home instead of returning on Saturday. Pictured, crowds of people on the beach in Split yesterday
Tourists enjoy the Sunday market in Drôme, a French department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
Wearing a face mask is mandatory in the market in France- a popular destination for visiting tourists
Some eager tourists haven't let potential quarantine on their return spoil their holidays as crowds were pictured wandering through a market in Drôme
Face mask-clad visitors browsed the stalls in the market in Drôme while following the coronavirus rules
'Then we could have kept have an eye on it... and we could have maybe made a different decision and maybe an earlier decision and it might have cost us a bit less money.'
Mrs Marlow, a sales manager who is seven months pregnant, added: 'Completely understand why they are doing it, but it would be good to have a bit more warning, because we only had 24 hours notice. That's all we had.'
West Yorkshire couple Liam and Jodie paid some £800 in a desperate attempt get home from Pula via Munich.
Liam told The Evening Standard: 'There wasn't an alternative. There are no flights from Pula to the UK on Fridays, only a flight from Zagreb to London runs, but obviously that was fully booked.'
A resident walks along a street in the village of Carrascal del Rio, Segovia. The area is one of the villages being isolated for 14 days after a spike in cases
Cantalejo (pictured) is being isolated for 14 days - from 22 August - after 59 coronavirus positive cases were recorded
A Civil Guard officer stops a rider as he controls the exit and entry in the village of Cantalejo after the area was isolated
Meanwhile Steve Laws, 53, a company director from Thame in Oxfordshire, blasted the Government's actions as 'shambolic'.
He spent around £2,000 to return from his holiday eight days early with his wife and three children.'There are zero checks at immigration,' he said on Friday night. 'The process was a complete farce.
'We are obeying the Government's rules in good faith and there's absolutely no evidence the Government is monitoring in any way who is coming into the country,' he claimed.
Passengers wearing face masks as they arrive at Heathrow Airport after a flight from Dubrovnik, Croatia, landed yesterday
Holidaymakers took to social media to vent their frustration at the government's quarantine rules - with some sharing the extreme measures they took to get home Thomas Maguire, 61, a sales manager from Northern Ireland, was due to fly back on Sunday, but returned to beat the quarantine deadline due to the impact it would have on his family.
He branded the rule change a 'complete shambles', saying he had spent nearly £400 on a flight he hoped to recoup through insurance.
'Why they decided to do it the way they have done it, it's not in support of any scientific evidence... that I'm safer today than I would be tomorrow,' he said.
Meanwhile Cristiano Torti, 41, spent around £1,500 to fly his wife and two young children home six days earlier than planned.
He said his family lost around £500 from the original return flights, but did not want to quarantine for two weeks at home.
Meanwhile, flights to Portugal have risen sixfold, but hotels have slashed prices as Britons plan a late summer getaway now the country is back on the UK's 'green list'
'It would have been a nightmare, I have two young children that drive me crazy at the best of times,' he joked.
'My wife and I both work from home, so it would have very difficult with them at home.
'Another consequence would have been my eldest child missing a bit of school.'
Mr Torti, a developer from Oxfordshire, added: 'Had we not had children I think we might have just waited it out... but with two young children at home it wasn't feasible.'
A 'gutted' Mr Torti said he had been aware of the risk of travel rules changing, but added: 'I do wonder though if the Government could be a bit more selective.
'So for example I understand that there are certain hotspots in Croatia where the case numbers were quite high, so perhaps they could have selective on those travelling from those specific hotspots.
'On the other hand people would have found a way around that.'
He added: 'We've lost a lot of of money, between the accommodation, the flights, and the knock-on effects: the care hire, the airport parking, I kind of wish we'd stayed home to be honest despite the miserable British weather.'
Others opted to stay in Croatia and face the quarantine when they get home.
Driving teacher Beccy Williams said: 'I feel bad that my pupils won't get their driving lessons until after September 14, but my son is having so much fun with his friends here that it's worth it.'
While holidaymakers rushing home from Croatia suffered, Portugal saw a dramatic increase in holiday bookings today.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced quarantine will not be required on return to the UK from Portugal yesterday, leaving travel companies expecting a surge in bookings over the coming days.
The country is traditionally one of British holidaymakers' most popular destinations, attracting 2.1 million visitors a year, but was banned during the lockdown.
But with the doors opened and a Bank Holiday at the end of the month, airlines are looking to take advantage of soaring demand.
Aviation data analysts Cirium reported 719 flights between the UK and Portugal before pupils return to school next month, with a total seat capacity of nearly 128,000.
Jet2 announced it was putting on additional flights with thousands of extra seats to meet the surge in interest in trips to Portugal.
Average fare prices to Faro - the airport used by holidaymakers heading to the Algarve - rocketed from just £35 to £190 in the hours after Mr Shapps' announcement.
One website showed a BA flight fare from London to Faro had jumped from £90 to £580 - with a claim it had been reduced from £594 - in a day.
Google searches by MailOnline also showed one BA round trip from London to Faro, leaving this Saturday - the day the quarantine rule is lifted for Portugal - and returning next Saturday - costing £1,069.
While holidaymakers rushing home from Croatia suffered, Portugal saw a dramatic increase in online searches for trips
Average fare prices to Faro - the airport used by holidaymakers heading to the Algarve - rocketed from just £35 to £190. Pictured: A Google price chart showing how prices on flights to Faro on Sunday have rocketed
Flights from London to Lisbon on Saturday have also rocketed, from around £50 to £181
Prices from London to Faro have also spiked for travel this Sunday, while flights to Lisbon, another popular city break destination, have also rocketed since the announcement, from around £55 to £185, according to Google.
One exasperated holiday-hopeful said on Twitter: 'And instantly the holidays prices go up to Portugal!'
Yorkshire couple pay £800 to travel home from northern Croatia via Munich to beat the quarantine deadline
Liam and Jodie, a couple from Keighley, West Yorkshire, paid about £800 to travel home from northern Croatia via Munich, in order to beat the quarantine deadline, after finding it impossible to book a direct flight in time.
Liam and Jodie from Keighley, West Yorkshire, who are travelling home from Croatia via Munich to avoid the quarantine
'There wasn't an alternative. There are no flights from Pula to the UK on Fridays, only a flight from Zagreb to London runs, but obviously that was fully booked,' Liam said.
'The only (other) flights available were with stops in Spain through Ryanair, but then we would have to quarantine anyway,' he added.
Liam, a mechanical assembly engineer, said he had started a new job recently so 'didn't want to miss another two weeks work'.
He added that they had tried to make the most of their trip despite 'the distraction of not knowing what's going to happen', and were treating their visit to Munich as a 'city break we got as an extra'.
In a bid to meet growing demand, Jet2 said it had put on extra flights to the country from Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted and Manchester.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: 'Customers are responding to the welcome change in government advice by booking their much-needed holidays in the Portuguese sunshine, and we are responding to that by adding more flights and seats.
'We want our customers to enjoy their well-deserved holidays, and our decision to act quickly and add even more capacity to Faro ensures they will have plenty of choice.
'With flights and holidays operating to Faro, in addition to Madeira, we are thrilled to be offering customers two fantastic options in Portugal when they're looking to book their well-deserved holiday away from the gloom.
'With a fantastic choice of flights and holidays, not to mention fantastic deals and free child places available, those looking to get away can take advantage of great choice and value.
'We have been busy looking after customers and independent travel agents during these uncertain times.
'As a result of this, customers know they can trust us deliver and that's our absolute focus for everyone travelling with us – delivering our award-winning customer service and package holidays you can trust.'
However, Portuguese hotel companies, desperate to fill rooms after a summer of lost takings, have kept prices low in a bid to attract sun-seeking tourists.
Only 32.6 per cent of the Algarve's hotel rooms were booked last month, the worst rate ever for the month of July, according to data seen by the Telegraph.
One hotel in Madeira is available for £90 a night next week, but typically costs between £91 and £146 for similar dates.
Likewise, another is going for just £84 a night, compared to between £121 and £151.
Travel expert Simon Calder told Good Morning Britain prices for flights from Croatia to Britain are now 'going through the roof' as people scramble to get home.
The cheapest direct service from Zagreb to Heathrow yesterday was £286 on British Airways, while a Croatia Airlines flight between the two airports was £496.
The cheapest flight with a change that would get back before 4am was £230 with Eurowings, via Stuttgart. There were also KLM flights via Amsterdam, but this would involve quarantining - with the Netherlands already off the air bridges list.
A British mother holidaying in Croatia said she would not cut short her trip despite the new quarantine forcing her son to miss his first week of school.
Jennie Dock's 11-year-old son Cass Robertson-Dock will be in self-isolation when his new school starts back, after Croatia was removed from the UK's list of air bridges.
But Ms Dock, who is on holiday with friend Elle Mitchell, told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'We're both lucky in that we can both work from home, both work remotely.
'Cass was year six last year, so he did manage to get in for around six weeks or so at the end, which he really enjoyed. So, yeah, it's unfortunate he's going to miss the first week, but he's a bright boy and he'll catch up, I'm not worried about it.'
British Airways has laid on an extra flight from Zagreb to London Heathrow with seats costing £275.
Holiday firm Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said it will resume its flights and holidays programme to Faro, in Portugal's Algarve, from Monday
This is more than six times higher than the BA equivalent flight on the Friday four weeks from now, which currently costs only £42. An equivalent flight on the Friday two weeks from now is only £45.
Mr Calder urged people looking at flights with changes to avoid going via Paris or Amsterdam because they would also then have to quarantine.
Despite the easing of some restrictions, industry leaders warned of dark times ahead.
Christopher Snelling of the Airport Operators' Association said: 'The removal of the quarantine for Portugal is welcome, but the re-introduction of blanket quarantine measures to a further tranche of nations reinforces the significant and continuing challenge facing the aviation industry.
Air passengers arrive at London Heathrow Airport this morning wearing face masks
Crowds of people are pictured in Crikvenica on the northern Adriatic coast on August 13
'Our airports are facing pressures that were unimaginable six months ago and the Government must work urgently with the industry to introduce regional travel corridors to low-risk areas and agree financial measures that support our airports, who have already lost over £2billion since the start of the pandemic.'
Portugal has seen the number of coronavirus cases drop by 45 per cent over the past month, with 14.4 cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days - well below the government's threshold of 20 cases.
It comes as Mr Shapps warned holidaymakers to 'only travel if you content to unexpectedly quarantine', after he himself was caught out, as Austria, Croatia and Trinidad were added to Britain's no-go list.
Referencing his own experience, in which he was left facing a two week quarantine when his department suddenly added Spain to the quarantine list in July, Mr Shapps warned any air bridge could be axed at short notice.
In a tweet in which he announced Croatia, Austria and Trinidad would be added to the Government's 'red list', and Portugal taken off, Mr Shapps said: 'Data shows we need to remove Croatia, Austria and Trinidad & Tobago from our list of #coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN.
'If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
'Data also shows we can now add Portugal to those countries INCLUDED in Travel Corridors.
'As with all air bridge countries, please be aware that things can change quickly. Only travel if you are content to unexpectedly 14-day quarantine if required (I speak from experience!)'
Portuguese travel chiefs welcomed the move as 'useful for all those who travel between Portugal and the United Kingdom'.
In a tweet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Portugal, said: 'This decision is proof of the good outcome of intense bilateral work.
'It allowed for an understanding that the situation in the country has always been under control, with Portugal standing as one of the European countries with more tests, fewer deaths and fewer hospitalisations.'
Meanwhile, consumer group Which? said the change in rules for Portugal was 'likely to come too late to help many struggling holiday companies'.
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland told the BBC that the government had 'now made it clear that countries can be removed or added from the travel corridor list at a moment's notice'.
He said: 'That policy currently makes it too risky for anyone who is not able to quarantine for 14 days on return to travel anywhere abroad.
'Yet, those holidaymakers who want to heed the government warning to not undertake non-essential travel to Spain, France and now Croatia and Austria are finding it increasingly difficult to claim a refund.
He added: 'The addition of Portugal is likely to come too late to help many struggling holiday companies who are at the point of collapse, as summer trips have already been cancelled.'
Following the announcement, holiday firm Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said it will resume its flights and holidays programme to Faro, in Portugal's Algarve, from Monday.
A sign at Heathrow today warns about self-isolating if they have visited a certain country
Passengers push their luggage through the arrivals at London Heathrow Airport this morning
People wait for planes at Split Airport in Croatia yesterday as they try to get home quickly
Croatia, Austria and Trinidad and Tobago were added to the 'red' list due to rising numbers of Covid cases.
Croatia's total over seven days – a metric closely watched by Downing Street – has risen to 27.4 per 100,000 people.
Britons who arrive back in the UK after the 4am deadline will have to spend 14 days under stricter measures than many faced in lockdown, as they are not even allowed to go outside for exercise or food shopping.
Croatia's ambassador to the UK said it was 'a regret' that the UK Government did not implement regional quarantine rules rather than removing the entire country from its quarantine exemption list.
Igor Pokaz told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'What we are trying to do in our constant dialogue with the British Government on this particular measure of quarantine is to somehow see whether it would be possible, something that other countries do, to have a more nuanced approach.
'So we regret that it was not possible for the UK Government to consider a regional approach, because in Croatia we have, as I said, witnessed these spikes in certain areas - for example in Zagreb in the capital and maybe among the young population.
'But in Dubrovnik, its surroundings and the islands there were very, very few cases. And I deliberately mention Dubrovnik and the islands as that is where most of the British tourists go.
'And Dubrovnik has its own international airport and is naturally secluded from the rest of the country.
'Germany, as I said, has introduced this model, and has introduced measures for only two of the Croatian counties and we have 20 counties in Croatia.'
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