The tour operator and airline Jet2.com are offering weekend flights to Heraklion in Crete from six of its UK bases – Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted – starting from 24 October and running until 14 November.

Jet2holidays has also responded to the Scottish government’s announcement that travellers returning from Greece will no longer have to quarantine by adding flights to Rhodes from Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as the new Glasgow-Crete service.

Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “We know that the decision to remove quarantine rules is music to the ears of independent travel agents, as well as customers who are looking to get away to their favourite destinations for some sun, relaxation and time away from it all.

“This is why we have responded in less than 24 hours to offer a great choice of holidays to Crete, while also giving customers in Scotland more choice to Rhodes too.”

EasyJet Holidays is also restarting holidays to Crete with bookings opening on Saturday (17 October) and flights due to resume to Heraklion from 24 October.

Paul Bixby, easyJet Holidays’ commercial director, said: “We know people have really missed their holidays this year and Greece is one of our favourite destinations, so we welcomed yesterday’s announcement and we’re really pleased to restart holidays to Crete in time for October half-term."