Turkey reportedly nearing summer travel agreement with UK

The UK is reportedly nearing an agreement with Turkey to allow Britons to return to the Mediterranean tourism hotspot this summer.

Travel between the two countries could resume from 15 July, the Financial Times reports, citing a Turkish government official.

The paper reports the official as saying that while an agreement was close, it would ultimately depend on the rate of coronavirus infection in the UK.

Several countries have, in recent days, indicated they would be open to so-called air bridge or safe travel corridors with the UK to allow tourism to resume this summer.

Portugal’s foreign minister Augusto Santos Silva told the BBC on Wednesday (3 June) Brits would be "most welcome" this summer if an agreement can be reached.

The government has indicated it is considering air bridges as an alternative to quarantine, with home secretary Priti Patel confirming in the Commons the Foreign Office was working on bilateral agreements with other countries.

However, the government has reiterated air bridges do not yet constitute formal policy.

Turkey and Portugal both feature in an air bridge "wish list" drawn up by travel industry groups this week.

Spain and Greece top the list, followed by Turkey, Italy, Cyprus and Portugal, with France, Iceland, Egypt and Malta rounding out the top 10.