Meanwhile, a new poll has revealed what Britons think of Brexit so far, while new figures show how airports are gaining millions in drop-off fees from passengers.
Here are the key national press headlines concerning travel on Friday 1 October.
Australia to reopen border from November
Australia will reopen its international border from November, allowing travel initially for vaccinated citizens and relatives. Travel will not immediately be open to foreigners, but the government said it was working "towards welcoming tourists back to our shores". Since March 2020, only some Australians and others have entered the country due to strict rules. (BBC News)
Tiny minority think Brexit is going well
Only 4% of Britons think Brexit has gone “very well”, a new YouGov poll has found. A majority 32% said it had gone “very badly” and 21% “fairly badly”. The survey came amid the fuel crisis blamed on the lack of foreign lorry drivers. (The Independent)
Airport drop off fees ‘to top £100 million a year’
Britons face forking out £105million a year in airport drop-off zone fees, with the average charge standing at just over £3.50, according to new research. Nearly 14 million Britons every year typically use drop-off zones when travelling to the airport, Direct Line Travel Insurance said. From 1 November, Heathrow will become the latest to charge motorists, with a £5 fee. (The Daily Mail)
La Palma volcano extends Atlantic peninsula
Lava from the volcano in La Palma that began cascading into the ocean two days ago has already covered an area bigger than 25 football pitches. By late Thursday, the newly created peninsula had doubled in size to 20 hectares (50 acres) since the morning, according to the Volcanic Institute of the Canaries. (The Guardian)
Climate change makes Mont Blanc shrink
Mont Blanc, Europe’s second highest mountain, has shrunk by a metre since 2017 thanks to climate change, French geographical experts announced yesterday. The Alpine peak was measured mid-September at 15,773.65 feet, down from 15,776.64 feet four years ago. The mountain has been losing an average of 13 cm each year since precise measurements began in 2001. (The Daily Mail)
Aircraft fire at East Midlands after landing drama
A Boeing 747 suffered an engine fire as it landed at East Midlands. Witnesses said the Kalitta Air cargo aircraft, en route from Leipzig, may have suffered a bird strike. No injuries were reported. (The Sun)
