EasyJet holidays is offering customers due to travel to the Canary Islands in December the option of cancelling their booking for a credit to their online account.
Alternatively, customers can still decide to travel unless there is a subsequent change to Foreign Office advice for Spain to extend the ‘all but essential travel’ to the Canary Islands.
The operator said it is keen to support and give as much certainty as possible to customers for their holiday plans in this “unprecedented situation” with the islands removed from the UK’s travel corridors list from 4am on Saturday.
The company immediately contacted holidaymakers who were due to depart today to share the two options while waiting to see if there would be a change to FCDO travel advice.
It also contacted those in the Canary Islands to share the news and offer support.
The options – to travel as planned or cancel for credit – have been extended to all December bookings so that customers can make a choice about their upcoming holiday plans over the festive period.
Chief executive Garry Wilson said: “This is yet more disappointing news for customers who were looking forward to a well-deserved holiday, especially so close to the festive period.
“And it’s a confusing situation as we wait to see if there will be any change to FCDO advice alongside the travel corridor lists update.
“We couldn’t leave our customers with uncertainty though, particularly where Christmas bookings are concerned, so we believe it’s the right thing to do to give our customers a choice about their holiday plans.
“This is why we’ve further flexed our industry leading booking terms. We’re committed to doing all that we can to help our customers.
“And of course we support the need to put public safety first so we’re looking forward to seeing more detail on the test to release scheme when it’s announced.
“We hope it’ll mean some customers will be able to take advantage of it and still be able to travel as long as FCDO travel advice allows.”