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Tui adds capacity to Greece and Turkey

Tui UK is laying on additional flights to Greece and Turkey after cancelling holidays to Spain.

The UK market leader confirmed the cancellation of  all holidays to the Balearic and Canary islands until August 4 and to the mainland Spain until August 10.

The operator moved in response to the change in UK government travel advice for mainland Spain and the islands with the requirement to quarantine for 14 days on return to the UK.

Addition flights to destinations in Greece and Turkey will run on August 1, 2 and 3.

Customers due to travel to all Spanish destinations until August 9 will be able to cancel or amend their holiday. They are being offered a full refund or the option to rebook with a booking incentive.

Those due to travel to the Balearic and Canary islands from August 4 and mainland Spain from August 10 will be updated on Friday, the company said.

Tui UK and Ireland managing director Andrew Flintham said: “Following the change in travel advice to Spain our customer feedback is clear, they still want to travel aboard this summer, with over 70% of customers with cancelled holidays moving to another destination over the same period or in the coming weeks.

“We’ve therefore added seven new flights for this weekend to Crete, Rhodes, Zante and Corfu in Greece and Dalaman and Antalya in Turkey and have changed some flights from the 737 aircraft to 787 Dreamliners to help with the additional demand.

“The summer holiday period is the most important time of year for travel operators and we are therefore doing everything we can to help customers get their well-deserved holiday.  The health and safety of our customers and colleagues is always our highest priority and welcome travel advice that protects those that holiday with us and we have worked hard to provide safe and enjoyable holidays this summer.”

He added: “Importantly, we also call upon the UK government to work closely with the travel industry and remove the ‘blunt tool’ approach to quarantine and consider the rapid introduction of regional travel corridors.

“The level of uncertainty and confusion created this week is damaging for business and customer confidence in travel.”

New flights:

August 1

Gatwick – Rhodes

Manchester – Dalaman

 

August 2

Gatwick – Heraklion, Crete

Manchester  – Zakynthos

 

August 3

Gatwick – Dalaman

Manchester- Antalya

Birmingham – Corfu

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