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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Sophie Halle-Richards

Manchester Airport eerily quiet as coronavirus pandemic sees scores of flights cancelled

These pictures show Manchester Airport looking eerily quiet as the coronavirus pandemic led to scores of flights being cancelled.

Scores of countries have banned British tourists entering due to the rapid spread of COVID-19.

Borders have been closed and flights have been cancelled.

Thousands of people across Greater Manchester and beyond have seen their holiday plans ruined.

On Monday morning, Manchester Airport looked deserted, with a significantly-reduced number of flights taking off.

Images showed empty check-in desks, quiet airport lounges and unfilled departure boards.

Departure gates deserted at Manchester Airport (Matt Richardson)

The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to destinations such as Italy, Spain, Portugal and Denmark.

Cyprus, Morocco, South Africa, Jamaica, Czech Republic, Poland and India are also on the list.

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On March 14, the US government extended an existing European travel ban to the UK and Ireland, with the exception of returning US citizens and legal residents.

The government subsequently updated its advice on March 15, and now advises against all but essential travel to the whole country.

Unfilled departure boards at Manchester Airport (Ollie Thorpe)

Virgin Atlantic announced plans on Monday to ground up to 85 per cent of their fleet, and will prioritise "core routes based on customer demand."

The airline said in a statement: “This change amounts (to an) approximately 80 per cent reduction in flights per day by 26 March.

"As a direct consequence we will be parking approximately 75 per cent of our fleet by 26 March and at points in April will go up to 85 per cent.

"Owing to restrictions to international travel, the airline is reducing services to focus on core routes, depending on customer demand.

Check-in gates empty at Manchester Airport (Sam Evans)

"This will be subject to constant review as the situation evolves.

"Our London Heathrow-Newark route will be permanently terminated with immediate effect."

Meanwhile, Ryanair has announced it will cut its flight schedules due to travel bans imposed by several countries.

The budget airline said in a statement the airline said they expect to ground the majority of its fleet across Europe over the next seven to 10 days.

Manchester Airport train station was completely empty on Sunday afternoon (Marianna Ventouratou)

Bosses have agreed to remove the flight change fee on all bookings in April - advising customers not to book for another date in the same month.

Easyjet announced 'further significant flight cancellationsf at the beginning of the week and Jet2 has begun to cancel flights to European destinations in coming weeks.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said the airport remains ffully operationalf and advised passengers to check with their booked airline.

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