AS attention turns to what life could be like after lockdown, Manchester Airport has revealed their plans to keep passengers and staff safe.

While it is not yet known when holidaymakers will be able to leave the country or when the majority of flights will be able to resume, staff have put plans in place to prepare for such a time.

The plans include all airport staff wearing gloves and face masks while all passengers will be told to wear gloves and face coverings.

Trials are also taking place for technologies such as temperature measurement and bosses are also considering asking all passengers to make a health declaration in order to enter the terminal.

A Manchester Airport spokesman said: “Manchester Airport can confirm it will be piloting various new safety measures that are being put in place across MAG (Manchester Airports Group) later this week.

"They are designed to help the small number of passengers currently making essential journeys through Manchester Airport feel safer and more confident about flying at this time.

"We will be providing confirmation of exact guidance for passengers, to allow them to fully prepare for their journey, before the measures are put in place.”

What travelling from Manchester Airport will be like

  • All airport staff will wear gloves and face masks
  • All passengers will be required to wear gloves and face coverings within our airports. (Initially these will be some provided for people without but as passenger numbers rise over time all passengers will be expected to provide their own.)
  • Temperature measurement checks are being trialled
  • A health declaration is also being considered with passengers confirming they are not symptomatic or if they have recent results of a Covid-19 test

There's already signs, leaflets and announcements of measures, hand sanitisers for passengers and staff, and a more intensive, visible cleaning regime and these will be 'refreshed and strengthened' when passenger numbers increase.

Bosses say more details will follow but the group sees this as 'getting on with things' and getting the UK in the best possible place to follow any further international guidelines likely to be introduced.

Frustrations with the delay in setting out what the future of air travel looks like has been shared across the industry.

The AOA has also submitted proposals to Government, with the aim of setting a framework of minimum standards that all UK airports will adhere to.

Charlie Cornish, Group CEO of MAG said: “Government has been slow to work with the UK aviation industry on what flying will look like in the new world.

"It is vital that we work together to establish a clear and workable set of proposals, so that we are in position to lead discussions with other countries.

“It’s clear that social distancing does not work on any form of public transport. But we’re confident that when the time is right, people will be able to travel safely.

“UK airports have put a package of measures on the table for discussion with Government.

"We now need the Government to work urgently with airports and airlines to agree how we operate in the future.

"This has to be a top priority so that people can be confident about flying, and to get tourism and travel going again.

“At MAG we’ve taken expert medical advice on how people can travel safely. From next week, we’ll be piloting new measures at MAG airports for those passengers who still need to travel.”