Aircraft passing through Manchester Airport will be subjected to enhanced Covid-19 health protection for passengers and flight crew, it's been announced.
The airport features on an updated EU list drawn up to manage risk of coronavirus transmission.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said the list was designed to indicate routes on which 'enhanced' disinfecting of aircraft should take place to avoid the spread of the virus.
Most - but not all - UK airports are included.
The EASA said the list was intended to ensure an 'additional layer of protection for passengers and aircrew' operating in the airports.
The body stressed it wasn't intended to suggest travel restrictions or other public health measures like quarantines, but was a technical advisory telling airport operators how to clean aircraft.
The UK list in full is:
Birmingham
Doncaster Sheffield
East Midlands
Gatwick
Glasgow
Heathrow
Leeds Bradford
Liverpool John Lennon
London City
Luton
Manchester Airport
Newcastle International
Stansted
The EASA said the list was drawn up based on Covid-19 data around confirmed cases.
The body said: "EASA determined that the above-mentioned list of airports should be established and maintained to support aircraft and aerodrome operators to put in place an extra layer of protection for the passengers and crew members (namely enhanced cleaning and disinfection), rather than suggesting that aircraft operators should implement the requirements irrespective of the place of origin of their operations.
"Therefore, EASA maintains and adjusts the risk assessment methodology to include the latest available epidemiological information.
"EASA continuously monitors the evolution of the outbreak to identify any need for intermediate updates."
From Monday, June 8, international arrivals will now be required to self-isolate for 14 days - the incubation period of the virus.
Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, announced the measures on May 22 and said they aimed 'to protect hard won progress and prevent a devastating reassurance in a second wave of the virus.'
She said: "We must take steps to prevent against imported cases triggering a resurgence."
Figures announced then by the Home Sectretary showed the number of people travelling to the UK is 99 per cent down on this time last year.
The measures will be reviewed every three weeks.
Passengers arriving in the UK will need to provide details of where they are staying and their future travel plans.
They will be contacted if they have been in contact with someone with the disease.
Travellers who flout the rules face fines of £1,000 or prosecution, with police being allowed to use 'reasonable force' to make sure people comply.
A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “EASA has published this guidance to give airports across Europe a clear picture of the measures required in order to keep passengers and staff safe as the Covid-19 pandemic progresses. It calls for an enhanced cleaning regime for aircraft arriving from hundreds of airports across the globe, including Manchester and almost all other major UK airports.
“The list is not intended to be used as a guide for governments on implementing travel restrictions.
“We are already trialling a number of measures, including temperature test trials and asking all passengers and colleagues to wear face coverings, as part of our Safe System of Travel pilot scheme. We continue to work with government towards an industry-wide safe system of air travel. Combined with a relaxation of quarantine restrictions at the earliest possible safe opportunity, this will protect aviation jobs and enable people to enjoy international business and leisure travel as soon as possible.”
