People are reportedly still planning to travel before midnight on Wednesday in the hope of escaping at least a portion of the second national four-week lockdown.
Those already on holiday overseas do not need to alter plans in order to return in time for the lockdown across England to start – unlike in March during the first Covid-19 clampdown.
Holidaymakers set to depart before the deadline at midnight on Wednesday can still travel provided trips are not cancelled by airlines or operators.
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Jet2 confirmed plans to continue operating up to and including Wednesday (November 4) “so customers wanting to get away from the cold and gloom can still book and travel as normal”.
The budget carrier and sister tour operation said on Sunday: “We are working with government to obtain much-needed clarity about what it means for those wishing to holiday overseas.”
Those who do not want to travel are being offered free amendments to switch bookings to a later date.
“If flights or holiday are affected by any changes, we will contact customers to advise them of their options.
“Customers in resort should continue to enjoy their holidays as planned.”
Tui holidays are “currently due to operate as planned” until midnight on Wednesday.
The UK’s largest operator said: “Customers due to travel before Thursday are able to amend their holiday to a later date for free.
“We understand that holidays abroad – for those living in England – are unable to take place from 00:01 on Thursday 5 November.
“As soon as we have more information we will be updating customers as soon as we can.
“If holidays are unable to take place, customers will be notified and offered the option to amend with an incentive, receive an Atol-protected refund credit note with a re-booking incentive, or cancel and receive a full cash refund within 14 days.
“Customers currently on holiday can continue to enjoy their holiday as planned.”
However, easyJet said it was “likely” that flights to and from the UK will be cancelled during lockdown with flying not set to resume until early December.
EasyJet Holidays said it was contacting thousands of customers with bookings through to December 2 “to offer support and share their options in light of holidays being cancelled as a result of a ban on non-essential travel”.
Chief executive Garry Wilson hit out at the lack of travel industry consultation or pre-warning about the timing of the second lockdown.
Customers who are due to travel before December 2 will be contacted by the easyJet Holidays team to share their options.
London City airport is due to remain operational “but inevitably there will be fewer flights and passengers until the travel restrictions are relaxed,” said chief executive Robert Sinclair.
He added: “While we welcome the extension of the furlough scheme, the lockdown measures make it even more urgent that the government publishes its Aviation Recovery Plan as soon as possible.
“The government must also expedite the work of the Global Travel Taskforce to produce a roadmap for restarting international air travel safely in the coming months, including via the introduction of an airport testing regime to replace quarantine.”
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland tweeted: “Reports that there is a rush of people booking to fly out on holiday before Thursday.
“That seems risky to me. There is every chance airlines will cut flights very quickly from later this week – leaving people stranded, and/or facing an extortionate bill for a new flight home.”
Emma Coulthurst, travel commentator at holiday price comparison site TravelSupermarket, said: “Clearly, you could argue that the virus means that decisions need to be made suddenly.
“But the UK government should surely have seen a week ago that it shouldn’t have been reopening travel corridors if there was a possibility that it would need to then completely reverse that decision and implement a lockdown.”
She warned: “If flights are still running, under current terms and conditions not all airlines will provide vouchers, meaning that people could lose their money if they are travelling soon.
“For example, Ryanair allows you to change your flight once for free – paying any fare difference – up to 7 days beforehand.
“Now that there is a complete ban on travel from 5 November to 2 December, I urge all airlines to make their policies flexible and allow vouchers during this time. It is unfair not to provide vouchers for future use in these circumstances.
“Protections are stronger with a package. Since there is a ban on travel domestically or abroad, consumers should expect to see their package holidays cancelled and to get their money back.
Coulthurst said: “As well as a terrible time for consumers, it is an awful time for the UK domestic and outbound travel industry too.
“They had no pre-warning about [Saturday] night’s decision as it was taken very suddenly.
“Much of the industry was already operating with less than 50% of its normal levels of business and for some even less.
“You also need to really feel for anyone who relies on their living from the tourism industry here and overseas – entertainers, hotel and bar workers etc. Covid has wreaked devastation on so many people’s lives.”
The Department for Transport said: ”British nationals currently abroad do not need to return home immediately.
“However, you should check with your airline or travel operator on arrangements for returning.”
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