Crystal Ski has been forced to cancel departures to Austria next week as tighter entry restrictions on UK arrivals were imposed.
Anyone travelling from the UK aged 16 or over will need to proof of a booster jab and a negative PCR test, otherwise will have to quarantine for ten days under new rules for travel between Christmas Day and January 31.
The Tui operator started contacting affected customers yesterday afternoon (Thursday).
Refunds are being offered, while people due to travel on January 1 and 8 will be able to switch holidays without paying fees until December 29.
Families with children aged 16 or 17 due to travel in January will be contacted directly due to the challenge of the additional booster requirement, according to the company.
Those due to fly to Italy via Innsbruck on December 27 will be contacted about alternative flying arrangements.
A travel update on the Crystal Ski website said: “Unfortunately, due to the short notice of the new Austrian entry requirement, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel our holidays to Austria on 27th December.
“We know that last minute testing is extremely challenging, even more so given that the tests would need to be taken on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
“With limited testing availability and capacity nationwide, we’re aware the vast majority of our customers would’ve been unable to meet this new requirement to travel. We’re sorry for the disappointment this has caused.
“We know customers have been looking forward to their trip to the mountains with friends and family and we’ve emailed all affected customers with a re-booking incentive.
“Customers will receive a full refund back to their original payment method within 14 days.
“For customers that have already purchased their testing packages, please contact your supplier directly to make any changes.
“We understand the challenge of this additional booster requirement for those aged 16-17 travelling in January so we’ll be in touch with affected customers directly.”
The Austrian restrictions compound difficulties for winter sports operators following a ban on most UK travellers to France which led to Crystal cancellations until January 14, with the operator monitoring the situation for future departures.
Those booked to Andorra via France are having flights re-routed via Spain as while alternatives to Tui flights via France to Switzerland are being sought for departures on December 28 and January 4.