Jet2 boss calls for ‘openness and transparency’ and the airline delays restarting flights following changes to the UK’s travel list

Following the Government’s decision on Thursday, June 3, to not add any new countries to the UK’s “green” travel list, as well as moving Portugal to “amber”, Jet2 have confirmed that flights and holidays will not restart until July 1.

The low-cost airline was due to resume operations on June 23, just days after the possible ending of most social distancing measures in England.

Following the decision over travel lists, Jet2 said in a statement: “Following today’s (Thursday, June 3) update, we have taken the decision to restart flights and holidays on July 1 2021.

“For any destinations currently on the Amber List, we are also allowing customers to amend their booking free of charge if they are due to travel between July 1 and July 21 2021.”

The Government moved Portugal from “green” to “amber” over fears of a so-called Nepal mutation of the Indian Covid variant – with fears that it could risk the progress of vaccination programme and the fourth lockdown review, which is set to take place on June 21.

The move has lead CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, Steve Heapy, to call for “openness and transparency” on coronavirus data so that the travel industry could better understand decisions affecting airlines and their customers.

He said: “We know how disappointed our customers and independent travel agency partners will be following today’s announcement, and we share their concerns and frustrations.

“We are now calling for complete openness and transparency when it comes to the data, so that customers and the industry can really understand what is driving these decisions.”

“We agree that public health must be the number one priority. However, despite all the evidence and data showing that travel can restart safely and at scale, the UK continues to remain largely grounded whilst the rest of Europe opens up.”

Jet2 also confirmed that flights to Turkey, which remains on the “red” list, would not restart until July 22.

It added that customers affected by changes to the programme would have their bookings automatically cancelled and would be given a full refund.

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