Originally Posted by
EMX81L
Great to see the effort the IOM and GCI Governments have put in to get the 'air bridge' established, given that both islands have has no further COVID-19 cases for sometime now, with local elimination all but confirmed. For people wanting a few days off each island, after climbing the walls for the last few months, this is a great idea to get some money in some tills at either end of the bridge. Local sports teams are up for some fixtures etc. All of this with no 14 day isolation on return, which is the big plus. With locals soon to be given the opportunity to travel in 'level 4' of the governments plan, albeit with a 14 day isolation on return, hopefully the uptake to GCI will be good. Local travel agents are selling packages. Good luck to all, let's give it a chance. Nothing to do with banks etc, it's about giving each island the chance to enjoy what ever is going to be left of the summer, with limited risk to residents.
You are spot-on with the thinking and rationale behind this effort, where as earlier posters have, with respect, rather missed the point. There may be a few business travelers, but the main target is short break leisure, for a six week period. We are talking around 1400 seats being offered, in each direction, over that planned six week window, with a target market of approx. 85,000 at each end. As I write this, travel bookings in the UK have gone through the roof today. People in the IOM and Guernsey will be looking for a break too, but, as things stand passing through the UK will bring challenges. Hotels at both ends are offering very good deals into their 'staycation' markets, as they are desperate for heads on beds. If the fares are right, this should do OK.