Greece: Info from Jet2, TUI, British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet

From 4am on Wednesday, September 9, travellers arriving in England from Lesbos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini or Zakynthos (also known as Zante) must self-isolate for 14 days.

This is part of the Government’s new regional approach to quarantine policy.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that, should infection rates differ from their mainland countries, islands can be added to or removed from the quarantine-exemption list.

We've put together a round-up of what each airline have said in relation to flights between England and the Greek islands.

What have British Airways (BA) said?

BA say they have reviewed their schedule and added additional flights from Mykonos, Santorini, Chania, Heraklion and Zakynthos today (September 8), to provide extra options for any customers wishing to return early to the UK. 

In a statement, British Airways told us: "We are currently operating a limited schedule to these countries.

"As always, if a customer's flight is cancelled they are entitled to a voucher or a full refund.

"Our Booking with Confidence policy covers customers due to travel up to the end of September 2020.

"This means that if a customer wants to change their booking they can – re-booking or taking a voucher for future travel.

"For British Airways Holidays, if customers have booked a holiday to these countries departing in the next three weeks and no longer wish to travel, they can choose a refund or a voucher for future travel.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and update our policy accordingly."

What have Jet2 said?

A spokesperson from Jet2 told us: “Due to the latest government travel advice, we have taken the decision to suspend holidays to Crete (Heraklion and Chania) and Zante up to and including September 20.

"Customers in these destinations can continue to enjoy their holidays and we will be in touch regarding flights back to the UK.

“Where customers are affected by any programme changes, we have been repeatedly recognised for how we have been looking after them, offering the option to rebook with no admin fee, a Refund Credit Note or a full cash refund. We will be in touch with affected customers to discuss these options.

“Flight-only customers can still travel, however those who no longer wish to travel up to and including September 20 can rebook with no admin fee.

“We would like to thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding.”

What have TUI said?

Andrew Flintham, managing director from TUI UK & Ireland, the company that owns TUI and First Choice, said: "We welcome the announcement on regional corridors to Islands and believe it’s a positive step forward for the travel industry and for our customers, who we know still wish to travel. 

"This is exactly the nuanced and pragmatic approach that we’ve been calling for.

"However, with little notice we have had to cancel holidays to Crete, Santorini, Zakynthos and Mykonos just hours before customers are due to travel due to the change in travel advice.

"Any customers due to travel to these four islands before Tuesday, September 22, will be able to amend for free to another holiday on sale, or request a full cash refund.

"We now urgently need to hear more about how the Government will implement a robust regime of airport testing to reduce down the need to quarantine for 14 days, as this remains a barrier for some to travel."

What have easyJet said?

A spokesperson from easyJet told us: "We know it is difficult for our customers as a result of the continued unpredictable quarantine restrictions with the removal of seven Greek islands from the list of quarantine exempt destinations.

"We called on the Government to opt for a targeted, regionalised and more structured system of quarantine many weeks ago so customers can make travel plans with confidence.    

"We understand that some customers may need to alter their plans if travelling to quarantine affected destinations from the UK.

"To provide our customers with some certainty and flexibility now that Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Zante have been removed from the list of quarantine exempt destinations, all passengers due to travel to and from these destinations can now transfer their flights without a change fee.

"Passengers travelling within the next 14 days who wish to change their flights can do so without a change fee via our contact centre within seven days of the government decision.

"Any passengers travelling outside of 14 days are able to change their flights without a change fee online via Manage Bookings in line with our current policy.

"We plan to operate our full schedule in the coming days but are continuing to monitor demand and adjust the flight schedule in line with that.

"Should any flights be cancelled in October, passengers will be notified and informed of their options which includes a refund, a voucher or a free transfer to alternative flights."

What have Ryanair said?

Ryanair have confirmed to us that their flights between the UK and Greece are operating as scheduled.

What has the reaction been to the move by the UK government?

Gloria Guevara, chief executive of the World Travel and Tourism Council, said the regional quarantine policy is “just scratching the surface”.

She said: “We must abandon wholesale ineffective, destructive and costly quarantines and replace them with rapid, cost-effective testing on departure at airports.

“The longer we wait, the more the ailing travel and tourism sector faces collapse.”