Date Published: 11/02/2021
ARCHIVED - Jet2 cancels all Spanish flights and holidays until April 14th
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
The misery caused by Covid continues for beleaguered airlines
Second-home owners and all those hoping to visit family members in Spain this Easter are having to face the prospect that it may not be possible to successfully organise a trip to Spain given the ongoing problems relating to covid restrictions as well as the rapidly dwindling options for flights.
Ryanair has been gradually cancelling flights during the last few weeks as schedules are re-adjusted and now frustrated passengers are reporting that Jet2 has bitten the bullet and decided to cancel all flights and holidays until April 14th, meaning all those who had booked for Easter in the hope that the Covid pandemic would have eased, will now be disappointed.
Jet2 had previously suspended flights up until the end of March, but with international restrictions showing no signs of lifting, the practical decision to cancel all bookings and refund clients has left more would-be travellers disappointed.
In a statement posted on the company's Twitter feed, Jet2 said: "Due to the ongoing uncertainty and travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we have taken the decision to extend the suspension of flights and holidays up to and including 14th April 2021.
"Where customers yet to travel are affected by any programme changes, our industry-leading and prompt refunding of over £1bn has been widely praised, and we will continue to automatically cancel affected bookings with a full refund."
Anyone who has made pre-bookings from April 15th will be contacted closer to the time once the company has evaluated the epidemiological situation in the UK and destinations.
This is another blow for the travel sector, coming on top of the strict new measures announced by the British Government this week relating to mandatory hotel quarantine for travellers from 33 'high risk' countries and other passengers arriving in the UK.
While those travelling from the “33” must face the additional burden of a £1,750 hotel stay for 10 days and 2 further Covid tests, even those returning from Spain and other European destinations will be required to self-isolate at home for 10 days and take 2 Covid tests, adding to the cost of travel.
Although Brits are still not permitted to travel for leisure purposes, there is no clear indication of how long the tough measures will stay in place, or even if it will be possible to travel to Spain later in the spring; for now all that travellers can do is book flights in the expectation that they will probably be cancelled, or just sit and wait until there is a clear indication that travel restrictions are being lifted and hope that the airlines they normally use will still be in business!