LISTEN: Belfast International Airport boss welcomes relaxation of travel restrictions

By Q Radio News

Holiday companies have welcomed a relaxation in the latest travel restrictions.

From Sunday, travellers returning to Northern Ireland from the Canaries, the Maldives, Mykonos and Denmark will no longer have to self isolate for 14 days.

However, those returning from Lichenstein will have to quarantine from Sunday.

Managing Director of Belfast International Airport, Graham Keddie, says it's ''good news''.

Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui UK & Ireland, said the reintroduction of the Canary Islands to the travel corridor list was a “positive step” for both the business and holidaymakers seeking a winter break.

He said: “We haven’t been able to take people on a Tui holiday to the Canary Islands for 89 days, when the sudden quarantine and subsequent travel advice was imposed with little notice.

“We’re therefore delighted that UK flights will now resume from Saturday October 24. The first flights will depart to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote this weekend, with many more added in the coming days.

“We urge the Government to continue to work closely with the industry on airport testing so we can open up more destinations in the coming weeks. We must move away, where possible, from the anxiety our industry faces waiting for the new list of places people can travel to each week.

“This level of uncertainty is damaging for business and all those employed in our industry.”

Derek Jones, chief executive of tourism firm Kuoni, also welcomed the addition of more countries to the Government’s travel corridor list.

He said: “This is a very welcome development. We are anticipating a surge in demand for Maldives holidays.

“The Maldives is already outperforming every other destination we sell for next year, currently accounting for almost half of our bookings for 2021, and today’s news means that an even quicker getaway is now possible.

“After months of seemingly endless bad news for holidaymakers, having both the Maldives and Canary Islands on the safe corridor list will be welcomed by anyone still dreaming of a winter sun break over the next few months.”