UK tour operator Tui has decided to cancel all holidays to mainland Spain after the British government a 14-day quarantine on people arriving from Spain.
Tui announced that it cancelled all mainland Spain holidays following the UK government's announcement of a 14-day quarantine policy for people arriving in the UK from Spain.
However, the tour company said all trips to the Balearic and Canary Islands would proceed as scheduled on Monday.
14-day Quarantine
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is discouraging all but but essential travel to mainland Spain.
Quarantine measures for UK travelers were first introduced in early June but the government and devolved administrations decided to publish lists of countries exempt from the rules due to pressure from the aviation and travel industries.
Spain was removed from the exemption lists on Saturday following an increase in Spanish coronavirus cases, with over 900 new cases reported on Friday. The Spanish government also warned about a possible second wave as cases major cities increased.
The 14-day quarantine measure will be applicable to all travelers arriving in the UK from mainland Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, such as Majorca and Ibiza.
The decision to impose the quarantine received negative reaction from the airline industry, with companies saying it will greatly affect their business.
Even though British Airways is still operating flights, it described the FCO decision as "throwing thousands of Britons' travel plans into chaos". Meanwhile, budget airline easyJet will also be maintaining a full schedule, along with Jet2.
In a statement, easyJet said: "Customers who no longer wish to travel can transfer their flights without a change fee or receive a voucher for the value of the booking."
On the other hand, Wizz Air stated that it would continue to operate flights to Spain "as scheduled for the time being", but noted that it is "re-evaluating this schedule in light of potential diminished demand".
Lack of Specifics
Rob Griggs of Airlines UK said the quarantine policy was a "big blow" to the airline industry.
He argued: "We back the idea of voluntary testing on arrival or before you leave. We think testing would... enable individuals to come back without the need for quarantine if they test."
Griggs also wants the British government to be "a little more specific" in its advice, since the latest surge in coronavirus cases in Spain did not affect the whole country in a similar manner.
Tui said it will inform customers affected by the new measures and will offer them the right to cancel or amend their holidays. The company added: "All customers currently on holiday can continue to enjoy their holiday and will return on their intended flight home."
The UK's largest tour operator also reiterated that while its highest priority is health and safety, it called on the government to "work closely" with the travel industry.
Tui pointed out: "This level of uncertainty and confusion is damaging for business and disappointing for those looking forward to a well-deserved break."
The Airport Operators Association said the new measures would "further damage what is already a fragile restart of the aviation sector, which continues to face the biggest challenge in its history".
