Spain expects swift decision on ‘air bridge’ with Britain

Britons account for more than fifth of roughly 80 million tourists Spain receives every year

Benidorm's beaches have partially reopened with a maximum of 26,000 visitors at a time (Getty Images)

Spain expects an imminent decision in its talks with the UK on whether to establish a travel corridor to facilitate tourism and avoid imposing a quarantine on travellers, according to a report.

A Spanish foreign ministry source told Reuters on Friday that the two countries are in talks over the prospect of implementing an ‘air bridge’.

Amid repeated changes over the past weeks on when and how to open its borders to much-needed foreign tourists, Spain said on Tuesday that it was considering imposing a quarantine on British travellers in response to a similar policy announced by Britain.

Britons account for more than a fifth of the roughly 80 million tourists Spain receives every year, and Madrid had said it would talk with London to try to avoid such a quarantine at both ends.

“Spain is willing to be open to the United Kingdom, we are in talks with them about their quarantine. We are in a position to open (our borders to UK tourists) without a quarantine,” the foreign ministry source said, adding that he expected a decision before Spain opens its borders to tourists from most European countries, including Britain, on Sunday.

Britain, with more than 42,000 documented coronavirus-linked deaths, and Spain, with more than 28,000, have been among the countries hardest hit by the pandemic. Both are easing lockdown restrictions, including border closures.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce on 29 June that agreements have been reached for air bridges with a “small number” countries with low levels of coronavirus infections, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Countries such as Portugal, Greece and France are all being considered for bilateral agreements which would allow British holidaymakers to fly from July 4 without facing a 14-day quarantine on their arrival or return.

Reuters