The CEO of London Southend Airport, part of Stobart Group, has criticised the Government’s new UK quarantine measures put in force as of today (8 June), which requires all arrivals, including returning Britons, to self-isolate for 14 days on arriving in the UK.

Glyn Jones has called for the Government to consider following many countries in Europe by introducing ‘air bridges’ (also known as ‘travel corridors’ as they could also include ferry and car travel, they would allow tourists between two countries to visit without needing to quarantine) as he believes this would be a far less drastic measure.

In a statement, he said: “We would prefer the government to consider the scalpel of air bridges rather than the current sledgehammer approach of quarantine.”

The quarantine has received considerable opposition from companies within the aviation, travel and hospitality sectors. Ryanair, Easyjet and British Airways wrote to the government’s top legal officer on Friday urging for the withdrawal of the mandatory quarantine measures.

Today, it has been reported that a new plan is currently being devised by Downing Street that will enable British holidaymakers to travel freely around Europe from July, without the need to quarantine on their return.

The owner of Southend airport Stobart Group also announced last week that it had successfully secured £140m and has said it will “invest tens of millions over the coming years to put in place an enhanced passenger experience to deliver customer confidence in a post-Covid world”.

Commenting on the successful capital raise, London Southend Airport CEO Glyn Jones said: “We were already delivering an award-winning passenger experience and have been voted Which? best London airport for the last five years.

“This capital raise allows Stobart Group to invest further in our airport and we are actively exploring new opportunities to make the airport even easier and more spacious to use, ensuring passengers can be confident when travelling with us.”

CEO of Stobart Group, Warwick Brady, added: “At London Southend Airport we will specifically design and implement an improved passenger experience for post-Covid 19 travel, making use of significant unutilised space and technology to enhance passenger confidence, while providing a cost-efficient base of operation to airlines.”

Visit stobartgroup.co.uk for more information.