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Written question asked by Lord Brennan of Canton (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 May 2020 (named day). It was answered by Wendy Morton (Conservative) on Monday, 18 May 2020 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Canary Islands: Coronavirus

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will arrange a direct flight from Fuerteventura in the Canary islands to the UK for British nationals and residents wishing to return to the UK during the covid-19 outbreak.

Answer

Helping British nationals who need and want to return to the UK is one of the Government's highest priorities. Since the outbreak in Wuhan, we estimate that over 1.3 million people have returned to the UK via commercial routes - the majority supported by our work to keep vital routes open. Additionally we have brought home over 31,000 people on 146 flights organised by the Foreign Office from 27 countries and territories.

Special charter flights will only operate for priority countries where commercial flights are not possible. At the current time, there remain commercial options to return to the UK from Spain. Our Embassy in Madrid have been working closely with the Government of Spain, airlines and other travel providers to keep vital routes open and help bring back British travellers to the UK.

Our consular team continues to work around the clock to provide support, advice and information to British nationals in Fuerteventura. Our travel advice and social media pages are also regularly updated to ensure that those wishing to return are aware of further developments: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
45968
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Aviation British nationals abroad Repatriation Canary Islands Coronavirus
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk