Update: Jet2holidays suspends flights and holidays to mainland Spain and The Algarve
Jet2holidays has confirmed it will operate to mainland Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands as normal, despite the requirement for travellers to quarantine on their return and changes to FCO advice for the mainland.
Spain was removed from the government’s ‘safe list’ of countries on Saturday, requiring those returning from the mainland and islands to self-isolate on their return. The Foreign Office also now advises against all but essential travel to mainland Spain, meaning many travel insurance policies would not currently apply.
British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet are also maintaining their schedules, although easyJet holidays has cancelled all Spain holidays for the remainder of July. Tui has cancelled all holidays to mainland Spain until August 9, but those with bookings for the Canaries and Balearics can still travel if they accept the requirement to self-isolate on their return.
A Jet2 spokesperson said: “Following the latest government advice regarding travel to the UK from Spain, we are advising customers to arrive for their flights as normal, as we are continuing to operate our scheduled programme to and from mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
“We are still operating flights and holidays to four destinations in Mainland Spain (Costa de Almeria, Alicante, Malaga and Murcia), which are open and are located away from areas which have been impacted by increased cases of Covid-19.
“In light of the updated advice from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), we are in the process of reviewing options for customers due to travel to these four destinations.”
The spokesperson added: “We are also continuing to operate flights and holidays to our destinations in the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands as scheduled. Because the FCO travel advice to these destinations remains unchanged, our usual terms and conditions apply. As always, we advise customers to purchase appropriate travel insurance before travelling.
“This is a fast-moving situation, which we are continuing to monitor very closely.”
In a communication to trade partners, Jet2holidays confirmed that customers due to travel to mainland Spain up to and including August 9 could choose to continue with their holiday, cancel and request a refund credit note, cancel and request a full refund or change their holiday with no amendment fee. It also confirmed that normal terms and conditions applied to bookings for the Balearic Islands or Canary Islands.
Tui said customers due to travel to all areas of Spain between July 27 and August 9 will be able to cancel or amend holidays and will be able to receive a full refund or the option to rebook their holiday with a booking incentive.
Tui UK & Ireland managing director Andrew Flintham said: “Due to the travel advice change against all but essential travel to mainland Spain, Tui UK have taken the decision to cancel all holidays to mainland Spain up to and including Sunday 9th August 2020.
“We know how much our customers look forward to their holiday abroad and some will be able to accommodate the new quarantine restrictions, therefore all those that wish to travel to the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands will be able to travel as planned from Monday 27th July.
“Customers due to travel to all areas of Spain between 27th July and Sunday 9th August will be able to cancel or amend holidays and will be able to receive a full refund or the option to rebook their holiday with a booking incentive. We will proactively contact all these customers.
“Customers with holidays from 10th August will be updated on Friday 31st July. All customers currently on holiday can continue to enjoy their holiday and will return on their intended flight home.”
Update: Jet2holidays suspends flights and holidays to mainland Spain and The Algarve
Webcast: Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive Steve Heapy