Guernsey and the Isle of Man have become the first jurisdictions in the British Isles to create an air bridge.
Commercial flights will begin next month and run for an initial six-week period, allowing residents of both islands to travel freely between the two without the need for self-isolation.
Both jurisdictions have similar measures in place for border controls and neither have seen a new case of Covid-19 for several weeks. Aurigny and the airports in Guernsey and the Isle of Man are working together to ensure the air bridge can be opened quickly.
‘I’m delighted we’re able to confirm that an air bridge with the Isle of Man will go ahead and I’m certain our community will welcome it enormously. As we continueto maintain controls for arrivals from other destinations where community seeding of the virus which causes Covid-19 raises concerns, this offers a chance to get away this summer without the need to self-isolate,’ said Chief Minister of Guernsey Gavin St Pier, who praised the Isle of Man as a holiday destination.
‘Having been many times over the years, I know that the Isle of Man is a great destination, with beautiful scenery, welcoming people and much like our Bailiwick, a proud and distinct cultural identity. I hope to be able to make the most of the air bridge and pay a visit to the Isle of Man myself this summer. And I know our community will be ready to give Manx visitors a very warm welcome to our islands.’
Howard Quayle MHK, Chief Minister of the Isle of Man said the Bailiwick of Guernsey would offer Manx travellers a great opportunity to get away this summer.
‘Announcing our first air bridge, and unrestricted travel to the Islands of Guernsey, isa major milestone and reflects how well both communities have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. Because we’ve pulled together as an island, and because the people of Guernsey have done the same, we both are now weeks without any new cases of the virus and are able to open up travel between our jurisdictions with confidence,’ he said.
‘Guernsey and the other islands within its Bailiwick, Alderney, Sark and Herm, are a great destination for Manx holidaymakers to get away to this summer. And it also allows both jurisdictions the opportunity see air bridges in practice and look at how we might expand them to other places in a similar situation to ourselves.’