Internal flights restrictions coming?
 

First off, this is a ferry related news, but BA does fly to KOI, LSI, etc on a codeshare with LM, so maybe this is a BA related discussion? For reference, I had flown plenty on 125 tickets going LSI/KOI-SCO-LHR/LCY/LGW (and sometimes to worldwide).

https://www.orcadian.co.uk/ferry-tra...ons-announced/

The Scottish government had announced it will stop the ferries from carrying non residents and non essential travellers, starting yesterday evening. Wonder if they will do the same for flights? If so, how will it be enforced? At booking? At check in? At boarding? On arrival?

Also, technically, INV is the Highlands and BA has direct non codeshare fights there.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla...lands-51990534

Maybe we will be looking at strict document checks for internal flights just like international flights in the coming days?

From the recent conferences and admist pressure from the EU it seems the UK Government is seriously considering a full lockdown - so I'd expect a full travel restriction to be in place soon including domestic travel, which would of course affect BA.

I can't see document checks changing this... once you're in, you're in...!

Our 'lifeline' BA JER-LGW down to 3/day [from 5] today. It could be argued that there is still an 'essential' business-related travel requirement.

https://www.pentlandferries.co.uk/news/
https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/c...irus-covid-19/

Ferries are doing document checks. I especially like CalMac's press release.

https://www.calmac.co.uk/press/calma...al-travel-only

"From now on ferries will be for those who live on our islands, who have an essential need to travel to or from the mainland, and for essential supplies or business. Nothing else. The return of non-residents from islands back to the mainland will also be deemed essential travel."

Flights to most of HIA owned airports are considered lifeline service by the Scottish Government too.

On what legal basis is the Scottish parliament deciding who can travel where? If there is a total UK lockdown, that's one thing, but at the moment I don't understand how it can be more of a statement of intent??

All the EDI-LCY flights have been cancelled today and quite a few EDI-LHR as well. Doubt there is much demand at present and I postponed a trip down south last weekend due to the current situation.

Sad to see. That said I can’t imagine the LGW-JER legs are at all busy given that you have to self-isolate for 14 days if you arrive on-island from the UK now.

Now, that is an interesting question. Legal decision or not, private companies have a right to who they do business with and they had taken on board the SG's advice/instruction/order and decided not to do business with non residents. Note that where one reside does not fall under the Equality Act 2010 and therefore i think what they are doing is legal (correct me if I am wrong).

Most of the ferries companies are private companies even though some of them are owned by the SG or LA.

Just after I replied to you, I saw this. LM is still flying.

https://www.orcadian.co.uk/airline-r...-say-loganair/

Well, just to be clear, I have no interest whatsoever in leaving my home other than to go to buy food - but the idea that certain parts of the UK can exclude other UK citizens or residents (without emergency powers) seems very shaky to me??

As far as I know transport is not a reserved matter. As such, it would fall under the remit of the Scottish Government.

Imagine the impact of a small number of cases on the small island populations with their limited health facilities

The channel island are demanding quarantine

I can see why the scottish islands need to protect themselves

Indeed - I totally understand their concerns and as I said I have no intention of going anywhere :)

The Highland area NHS apparently has 16 ICU beds. I imagine the Islands are in a similar or even weaker situation - they cannot deal with any sort of outbreak beyond a nominal level.

People need to be kept out for the local population's safety (and indeed their own).