Jet2.com has cancelled all flights to Spain, with planes reported to have been forced to turn around mid-air.
The decision was made as Spanish authorities announced a 15-day state of emergency from today, as it grapples with the coronavirus crisis. Spain is now the second-worst hit country in Europe after Italy, with more than 5,000 cases and 133 deaths.
Jet2 said in a statement the measures had been introduced after Spain confirmed bars, restaurants and shops would be closed.
Important update regarding travel to/from #Spain #Balearics #Canaries #Majorca #Ibiza #Menorca #GranCanaria #Lanzarote #Tenerife #Fuerteventura pic.twitter.com/3MtnmyTfxF
— Jet2tweets (@jet2tweets) March 14, 2020
“We have taken the decision to cancel all flights to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect.
“We know these local measures will have a significant impact on our customers’ holidays which is why we have taken this decision.
“We are contacting our customers who are currently in these destinations, and who are due to travel, to advise them of their options, so we urge customers not to call us.
“This is a fast-moving and complex situation and we are reviewing our programme as a matter of urgency, so that we can fly customers back to the UK.”