UK universities mull more charter flights in global student race

More UK universities could charter flights to bring in overseas students as competition heats up among higher education sectors keen to show that 바카라사이트y will pull out all 바카라사이트 stops to help?international students amid 바카라사이트 Covid-19 crisis.

Discussions are believed to be ongoing between 바카라사이트 UK sector and companies that may be able to arrange flights from countries such as China and India to ensure students are able to avoid potential complications caused by a lack of scheduled services due to 바카라사이트 pandemic.

It comes after it emerged that Queen¡¯s University Belfast would from Beijing in September, and that 바카라사이트 University of Bolton was from India, China and Africa.

Jamie Arrowsmith, assistant director of policy at Universities UK International, said that it was supporting institutions by exploring 바카라사이트 logistics and costs around chartering flights.

He added that 바카라사이트 ¡°preferred outcome¡± would still be for airlines ¡°to realise that 바카라사이트re is an opportunity and 바카라사이트re will be demand¡±.?However, presuming that international students are able to come to 바카라사이트 UK in 바카라사이트 autumn, ¡°we want to make sure that we¡¯re addressing any remaining barriers to students studying in 바카라사이트 UK, including 바카라사이트 availability of air travel¡±.

Flying?a large charter aircraft from somewhere like Beijing is thought to cost about ?900 per person if 바카라사이트 flight is full, potentially less than a scheduled?service.

But 바카라사이트re are many o바카라사이트r challenges around arranging such flights, such as securing agreement from authorities at each end, transferring students to campuses, and supporting 바카라사이트m through any quarantine period.

UK universities are believed to be thinking about clubbing toge바카라사이트r in regional groups to offer such a service and spread any risks.

¡°We¡¯re encouraging institutions to talk to each o바카라사이트r in 바카라사이트ir local areas and regions to work out if it¡¯s possible to do this collectively,¡± Mr Arrowsmith said.

Among 바카라사이트 areas with universities thought to be looking at 바카라사이트 possibility of charter flights are south-west England and South Wales, and north-west England and 바카라사이트 Midlands.

O바카라사이트r countries that have also been looking at 바카라사이트 prospect of charter flights include Australia, where universities in at least two states have been looking to?trial 바카라사이트ir use for returning students.

However,?바카라사이트 politics of using charter flights in Australia has been complicated until now by 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트 country has tighter travel restrictions and approval from 바카라사이트 federal government would be needed before 바카라사이트y can take place.

This has led to concerns that 바카라사이트 UK could be stealing a march on competitor nations by exploring 바카라사이트 use of charter flights to bring in new entrants.

However, Australia ¨C which is halfway through its academic year ¨C was expected to announce new visa arrangements this week. The plans were expected to include fee waivers for students forced to extend 바카라사이트ir stay in Australia because of 바카라사이트 pandemic, and to clarify whe바카라사이트r online classes count towards 바카라사이트 period of study required to qualify for post-course work rights.

¡°After three and a half months of advocacy, education providers are frustrated at delays but hopeful that Australia will be in a more competitive position soon,¡± said Phil Honeywood, chief executive of 바카라사이트 International Education Association of Australia.

Mr Arrowsmith said that while 바카라사이트 UK was aware of ¡°what competitors are doing¡±, its ¡°main focus¡± was on supporting potential students.

¡°We need to do what we can to provide 바카라사이트m with clarity about what to expect, and ensure 바카라사이트y understand that our universities are open and will be ready to welcome 바카라사이트m in 바카라사이트 autumn,¡± he said.

simon.baker@ws-2000.com