Passenger planes returning to the skies at Bournemouth airport
COMMERCIAL flights have taken to the skies from Bournemouth airport for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Ryanair passengers headed out to Malaga on the resumption flight and in the past week more routes have opened up on the airline to Alicante, Dublin, Faro, Girona, Krakow, Malta and Prague.
Other airlines will soon recommence flying from Bournemouth, such as Tui – which will run routes to Antalya, Corfu, Lanzarote, Palma and Tenerife from 1st August.
Having remained open for medical and military flights as well as general aviation throughout the Covid-19 crisis, the Hurn airport has enhanced measures in place for commercial airline passengers and staff.
That includes extra cleaning throughout the site, additional hand sanitiser units, floor markings and signage to help passengers maintain a safe social distance and protective desk screens and reduced capacity in public areas.
It also has a one-way access system and is displaying the latest public health information throughout the airport, including regular announcements.
Airport managing director Steve Gill was delighted at the return, saying: “The safety and wellbeing of our staff and passengers is our number one priority.
“We are continuing to rigorously implement all government guidance and remain in regular contact with all relevant authorities.
“In the middle of a difficult period for aviation and UK business as a whole, a return to commercial flying marks the first signs of recovery and gives a much-needed boost to regional and international air connectivity.”
Bournemouth Airport is part of Regional and City Airports (RCA), the UK’s leading regional airport operator, which also owns Coventry, Exeter and Norwich airports.