Jet2 suspends flights to Spain from Scotland after air bridge snub

Greg Dickinson
·19-min read
Jet2 has suspended all flights to Spain from Scotland - Getty
Jet2 has suspended all flights to Spain from Scotland - Getty

Jet2 has suspended all flights from Scotland to Spain, in response to the 14-day quarantine rule that remains in place for anyone returning to Scotland from Spain.

Anyone returning to Scotland from Spain currently has to go into isolation for 14 days, after Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she would not yet permit an air bridge with the country.

Spain and Serbia were left off the quarantine exemption list announced by the First Minister earlier this week, due to concerns about the prevalence of Covid-19.

Flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports have been suspended until 25 July, according to the airline.

Follow all the latest travel updates below.

03:53 PM

What have we learnt today?

Today, in the world of travel:

  • Baseless Portugal travel ban will cause 'lasting damage'
  • Jet2 suspends flights to Spain from Scotland after air bridge snub​
  • Belgium puts Leicester on 'red zone' list 
  • TUI to cover costs if you catch coronavirus on holiday ​
  • Croatia makes face masks compulsory in public indoor spaces 
  • A third of jobs at Edinburgh Airport under threat

Scroll down for all the links, and join us tomorrow when our live travel blog resumes.

03:24 PM

Wales issues 'Tourist Promise'

Visit Wales has released a video asking incoming tourists to make a handful of promises, to ensure a healthy and safe visit:

Lockdown has given us the chance to slow down. To pause. To appreciate this corner of the world that we call home.

It’s reminded us of the things we hold dear... Ein bro a’n byd — our community, and our world.

And now we pledge to look after those things:

To protect the beauty that’s around us. To tell the stories that shape us. To care for those who live and visit here.

As we dip our toes in the sea, dust off our walking boots, or set out on an epic adventure, let's make a promise together — to do the little things that will make a big difference.

Addo. Make your promise to Wales.

02:55 PM

A third of jobs at Edinburgh Airport under threat

About a third of 7,000 jobs at Edinburgh Airport are under threat.

Director of communications of Edinburgh Airport, Gordon Robertson, told the BBC the airport will not return to 2019 levels of business for a few years, and "not back to any kind of normality until 2021".

Redundancies are being negotiated, in consultation with unions.

"We employ 750 people there, and the airport employs around 7.000 people as a whole, and we think there will be up to a third of job losses across that, so it is a very challenging time," Mr Robertson told BBC Radio Scotland.

02:49 PM

No fines issued for breaching quarantine rules after arriving from abroad

Yesterday mandatory quarantine was dropped across Britain for arrivals from 75 countries, but was it ever really enforced? 

Not according to new police figures, which show that not a single person has been fined by police in England and Wales for breaching quarantine rules after arriving from abroad.

The 14-day self-isolation policy for UK arrivals, bar a handful of exemptions, was introduced on June 8, with breaches punishable of fines of between £100 and £1,000.

The figures from the National Police Chiefs' Council do not include fines given by Border Force, which has issued three penalties.

02:24 PM

Croatia makes face masks compulsory in public indoor spaces

Croatia has today announced that wearing face masks will be obligatory in most closed public spaces from next week as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise. 

The number of new infections reached 140 today, the highest recorded so far in a single day. Most cases are in the capital Zagreb and in east of the country, Reuters reports.

The national civil protection directorate said that from Monday face masks will be obligatory for both employees and clients in shops, and also for employees in bars, restaurants and other places where there is close contact with customers.

During the spring months Croatia successfully limited the spread of the disease, and by early June the number of new cases had fallen to just a few daily and sometimes none. However, the number of new cases has soared in recent weeks, with many blaming the spread on gatherings such as weddings.

Croatia has so far registered 3,672 cases of the virus and 118 deaths. 

02:06 PM

What happens when a cruise ship is sent to be scrapped?

It’s a well known maxim that “nothing made by man is granted such immortality as a ship”. That’s true – unless an existential crisis unlike any other befalls the cruise industry.

The former Cunard liner Sylvania stripped out and awaiting the cutting process in Alang, India

Now the Grim Reaper is wielding his scythe on an armada of cruise ships for which the hourglass has emptied prematurely. 

This is what happens to cruise ships that are sent to be scrapped.

01:47 PM

A report from the Channel

Our reporter, Adrian Bridge, gives updates on his voyage across the Channel.

01:45 PM

Belgium puts Leicester on 'red zone' list

Leicester has joined a handful of European cities to be placed on the Belgian Government's "red-zone" list, the BBC reports.

It means that anyone arriving in the country who has recently visited Leicester will be told to place themselves in a two-week mandatory quarantine.

It is the only UK city to be included in Belgium's list. Other cities on the list are in Portugal or Spain.

Signs are expected to be erected around Brussels Airport today telling passengers to inform the authorities if they have been in the city before arriving.

Earlier this week, the Government announced the number of coronavirus cases in the city was going down.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the Commons on Tuesday the seven-day infection rate had dropped from 135 to 117 cases per 100,000 people.

01:30 PM

A "special time" to visit Venice

Our reporter Annabel Fenwick Elliott has just landed in Venice, and she is finding it pleasantly quiet.

01:16 PM

A first look inside Disneyland Florida after four-month hiatus

Walt Disney World’s vital influence on Florida’s extensive tourism industry will be put to the test this weekend as the huge Orlando resort re-opens its theme parks for the first time since mid-March.

Amid a raft of new procedures, adaptations and health and safety regulations, the House of Mouse is being seen as the potential saviour of the Sunshine State’s virus-hit economy that has suffered a massive downturn since the advent of Covid-19.

Disneyland Florida reopens this weekend

Orlando remains in a state of deep tourist depression and in urgent need of an economic turbo boost, despite other parks and attractions like Universal Orlando and SeaWorld reopening more than a month ago. Only this week, one of the leading local hotel chains – the Rosen Hotels group – announced its first round of redundancies due to continued lack of demand.

Read the report from the land where dreams come true, here.

12:26 PM

On board TUI's first post-lockdown flight

 TUI, the UK’s biggest provider of fly and flop breaks, is determined to save our summer by relaunching holidays this weekend.

Flights to Ibiza and Palma will operate from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham from today (July 11), with more routes and regional departures promised in weeks to come. Greece will be open from July 15, and Turkey is set to follow in August.

Our writer Sarah Marshall is on board Tui's first flight after lockdown

Our reporter, Sarah Marshall, was on board.

12:15 PM

Jet2 clarifies the suspension of flights

A spokeswoman for Jet2 said:

"Our customers have been eagerly awaiting clarity about where they can travel to from Scotland for some time, and based on the demand we are experiencing it is clear that they are ready for their much-needed and well-deserved holidays.

"Because of the travel restrictions that are still in place to Spain as a result of this week's announcement by the Scottish government, we have taken the decision to recommence our flights and holidays programmes from Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports to Mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands on 25 July 2020."

The company said that customers would be offered a refund or the chance to rebook.

12:12 PM

TUI to cover costs if you catch coronavirus on holiday

TUI, which resumes operations today, has announced it will cover the costs for medical tests, extended hotel stays and flights home for British holidaymakers if they catch Covid-19 while on a package holiday.

The ‘Covid-19 Cover’ will be offered to every TUI customer until the end of the year.

The cover will include the cost of repatriation, if medically required by the holidaymaker, and if they must self-isolate TUI will cover the cost of an extended stay and the price of a new return flight home if needed.

This comes as TUI, the UK’s largest holiday firm, announces it will reboot holidays to seven new destinations from July 25: Menorca, Malaga, Alicante, Reus, Zakynthos, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria have been added to their roster.

Today, TUI has kickstarted holidays to the Balearics and the Canaries, departing from Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester.

12:08 PM

Welsh First Minister hails return of tourism

First Minister Mark Drakeford has hailed the phased return of tourism in Wales:

Mark Drakeford visits a self-contained accommodation today - Getty

“This crisis has had a profound impact on the visitor economy – at a time when our businesses should have been experiencing a busy Easter, they were turning guests away.  We are now cautiously reopening tourism in Wales in a phased way, which will give businesses, staff visitors and communities the confidence for a successful reopening.

“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Wales and to see people from Wales revisiting their favourite places again and discovering new ones.

“Over the summer we want people to visit Wales safely – by looking after their health; protecting this beautiful land and by leaving no trace behind; caring for the countryside by sticking to paths and leaving gates as they are found and keeping dogs on leads.  Let us all embrace Wales’ open spaces and avoid crowded areas, wherever we can.

“We can enjoy the best of Wales by choosing local businesses and buying Welsh produce, making a difference to local economies and experiencing the culture and language of Wales and respecting communities which are ready to welcome us back.”

11:57 AM

Lunchtime listen

Looking for some inspiration this lunchtime?

We caught up with former Paralympian and TV presenter, Ade Adepitan on our brand new podcast Postcards. You can listen to the episode below.

 Check out Ade's photographs mentioned in the episode, here.

11:50 AM

Prince Charles hopes to return to Greece

The Prince of Wales has said he hopes to visit Greece again after the Covid-19 pandemic, and sent his "heartfelt wishes to the people of Greece at this very difficult time". 

In an opinion piece for Ta Nea, a daily newspaper in the country, he wrote:

"The resilience of Greece and her people has been tested before, and I hope that the country will once again emerge with renewed vigour and optimism.

"When that moment comes and the world has made its way through this challenging time, my wife and I do so hope to visit Greece and to see you all again."

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in Crete in 2018 - Getty

Charles described Greece as "the land of my grandfather" and he recalled how his first visit there more than five decades ago had left a "vivid impression" on him.

He noted young people are "more vulnerable to the immediate and the long-lasting impacts of this crisis". His international trust aims to help 4,000 young people in Greece get into employment, develop their own businesses or improve their opportunities and reach their full potential by 2023.

Read more: How Greece moved quickly and decisively to keep Covid-19 out

11:39 AM

FCO updates Kazakhstan travel advice after pneumonia outbreak

The Foreign Office has updated its advice to say British travellers are "subject to entry requirements" when travelling to Kazakhstan, after the outbreak of an unknown pneumonia illness.

China has also issued a warning about the unknown virus after 1,772 people died of the mystery illness since the beginning of the year.

Kazakhstan authorities have pushed back against the Chinese report, saying the claim "does not correspond to reality".

11:30 AM

Holiday homes in Wales reopen

As of today holiday accommodation in Wales without shared facilities can reopen.

This comes after months of lockdown, described by members of the Welsh hospitality industry as a "rollercoaster".

Ruaridh MacDonald, who runs a self-catering accommodation agency The Cottage Co in Monmouthshire, told the BBC:

"We realised it was vital to keep in touch with guests and owners and in a funny way it's made the company stronger and strengthened our connection with guests," he said.

"Its been a rollercoaster in terms of moving hundreds of bookings and giving refunds... we've been talking to hundreds and hundreds of guests."

11:01 AM

'Hand sanitiser in crystal bottles and plenty of space around the pool'

Our writer, Chris Schalkx, has visited Bangkok's swankiest hotel.

I’m back at Bangkok’s Grandest of Dames, the venerable Mandarin Oriental, which re-opened her doors last weekend after a three-and-a-half-month hiatus. It has been exactly 160 days since I last stepped into its majestic flower-festooned lobby, at the time still gleefully unaware of the pandemic mess that was about to unfold. As my last hotel stay before the city went into lockdown in March, it only felt fitting to make it my first post-lockdown stay too. 

After exchanging wais (a Thai greeting gesture – contactless long before it became de rigueur) and welcome-backs with the ever-amiable staff, I’m asked to take a seat on one of the sofas dotting the lobby to fill in a health declaration form. Beside me, a cushion embroidered with 'Please keep your distance' reminds me that at the Oriental, everything, even social distancing, is performed with poise. 

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok - Chris Schalkx

Read the full report here.

10:44 AM

Our reporter takes a ferry to France

Telegraph Travel's Adrian Bridge is hopping on a ferry to Paris, for the first time since the easing of lockdown measures and the reintroduction of travel. Follow his updates here.

10:33 AM

Eurostar arrivals trickle in as England lifts quarantine

Yesterday, England lifted quarantine on all arrivals. Here are a few shots of the scenes at St Pancras International, where Eurostar arrivals trickled in.

Eurostar - Getty
Eurostar - Getty
Eurostar - Getty

10:14 AM

Holidays to be close to normal despite Covid, says TUI chief

British tourists can expect to experience "90 per cent of normality" as flights and holidays restart for the UK's biggest tour operator.

Andrew Flintham, managing director of TUI UK and Northern Ireland, said holidaymakers would need to be prepared for some changes as operations gradually begin again, but he was confident they would enjoy their trips.

While new British quarantine rules mean travellers will no longer need to self-isolate when returning to or visiting the UK from certain countries, there are still foreign coronavirus regulations to consider.

From Monday, the Balearic Government has ruled that face masks must be worn on its islands at all times apart from at beaches, swimming pools and while doing sports activities. Anyone breaking the rule in public spaces risks receiving a 100 euro fine.

Travellers arriving to Ibiza have to fill in health check forms ahead of arrival and will have their temperature screened at the airport.

A family wait at Heathrow Airport before departing to Spain for a holiday - David Dyson

09:56 AM

Farewell to Travelodge?

Up to 40 Travelodges could shut as landlords plot to replace them with a serviced apartment firm after being forced to accept rent cuts, Oliver Gill reports.

The sites' owners are in talks with Room2, part of family-owned property firm Lamington Group, which is seeking to launch a low-cost version of its “hometel” concept that combines services apartments with some add-ons usually found in a hotel. 

Read the full report, here.

Up to 40 Travelodges could shut - Getty

09:39 AM

The best venues to enjoy socially distanced live music outdoors

As the music industry awaits further guidance on indoor gigging, live music has returned to the open air and, in some cases, behind closed doors, from drive-in music tours with big names such as the Kaiser Chiefs to outdoor opera at Glyndebourne and English National Opera's drive-in nights at Alexandra Palace. 

So what events are available, how will they work and who is playing?

The English National Opera is launching ENO Drive & Live at Alexandra Palace for the first three weeks of September. There will be 12 performances of a 90 minute shortened version of Puccini’s La bohème, with the singers and musicians spaced out in accordance with government guidelines. Tickets will be released in the coming weeks.

There is also Utilita Live from the Drive-In, a series of live drive-in concerts across 12 specially converted outdoor venues from Filton Airport in Bristol to The Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh. Acts will be performing to 300 cars a night, including The Streets, Bjorn Again and KT Tunstall.

Read more here. 

09:36 AM

Holiday plans in disarray, bad weather put on hold...

If you hadn't noticed, the weather forecast is looking balmy for much of the country over the coming week or two.

Here are the best glamping holidays in the UK, if you'd rather avoid the bother of travelling overseas.

We have rounded up the UK's best glamping sites

09:24 AM

British holidaymakers left out of pocket after arriving in Spain to find hotels closed

Britons arrived in Spanish resorts last weekend to find their hotels were shut; they then had difficulty contacting the company they had booked through.

Paul Davis, from Lincolnshire, was sold a family break to the resort of Salou on the Costa Dorada by loveholidays and is among several customers who have complained to Which?.

Mr Davis, his partner and son were some the first Britons to arrive in Spain on Saturday following the country’s exemption from the Foreign Office warning against all but essential travel and its inclusion on the UK Government's list of destinations exempt from quarantine measures.

When the family made it to the 4R Regina Gran hotel, they found the gates were padlocked, 

Read what happened next.

09:15 AM

The Queen to spend summer in Scottish Highlands

The Queen will travel up to the Scottish Highlands to spend her summer at Balmoral Castle, as she traditionally does each year.

She has been self-isolating at Windsor Castle with Prince Philip, though it is unknown whether she will travel on her own or if the Duke of Edinburgh will be joining.

Speaking on ITV, Royal editor Chris Ship said:

"Our understanding is she will go to Balmoral where she spends every summer in the Scottish Highlands.

"When she goes is a matter of much debate."

"I think even though the plan is for her to go, they will review it and keep it under constant review given the current situation."

The Queen has spent lockdown at Windsor Castle

09:06 AM

Baseless Portugal travel ban will cause 'lasting damage'

The Portuguese ambassador has accused Britain of causing “immense” and potentially “lasting” damage to his country with its travel ban, as he claimed its decision was based on unclear science.

Writing for The Telegraph, Manuel Lobo ­Antunes said he would “make no attempt” to hide his disappointment at the British government’s decision to exclude Portugal from a list of 74 places exempted from the UK’s 14-day quarantine.

Portugal has been left off a list of destinations that British holidaymakers can visit this summer - Getty

He said this was compounded by the anomaly where the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores had been given a clean bill of health by the Foreign Office yet were still subject to UK quarantine.

His comments will escalate the diplomatic row with Britain following a coronavirus outbreak in and around Lisbon leading to UK holidaymakers being barred from the whole of Portugal, even though its most popular destination, the Algarve, has some of the lowest rates in Europe.

Read the full report, here.

08:59 AM

Airport experience has improved since Covid-19

Our writer, Annabel Fenwick Elliott is off to Venice today. She's finding the airport experience to have improved since the pandemic.

 And she is given a welcomed piece of reassurance before take-off...

 Follow her updates here.

08:43 AM

What happened yesterday?

A re-cap of what happened in the world of travel yesterday:

  • Backlash against 'lunatic' cruise ban as other holiday restrictions ease
  • Italy expected to extend state of emergency
  • Australian ski resorts closed after just four days of opening
  • No fines issued for breaching quarantine rules after arriving from abroad

Now, on with today's news.

  • Up next
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