Agents told not to contact trade teams as operators cancel holidays ahead of lockdown

EasyJet holidays has asked agents not to contact its travel trade team as it reacts to Saturday’s announcement that England will lockdown later this week.

As part of the lockdown, the Prime Minister has issued a travel ban, which will come into place on 00:01 on Thursday, 5 November in England.

EasyJet holidays is cancelling packages from today, 2 November, through to 2 December, inclusive,  while TUI and Jet2 are continuing to operate holidays for the next three days.

Package customers will be entitled to a refund, however, flight only customers may not. Ryanair has said its passengers won’t be entitled to a refund, but can change their flight for free.

EasyJet holidays asked customers and agents to ‘bear with us’ as it contacts people over the next few days, adding: "We are prioritising calls in departure date order."

EasyJet holidays urged travel agents not to contact the company’s trade support team, saying: "We will contact you."

TUI and Jet2 said all holidays booked up until Wednesday 4 November will go ahead as planned.

Jet2 said it is awaiting ‘much-needed clarity about what it means for those wishing to holiday overseas’.

The company is planning to operate as normal until Wednesday 4 November.

In a statement, Jet2 said: "If flights or holidays are affected by any changes, we will contact customers to advise them of their options. Customers in resort should continue to enjoy their holidays as planned.

"Our contact centre is receiving a high volume of enquiries at the moment, so we remind customers that they do not need to contact us. We will be in touch with any updates."

TUI said it will update travellers from Scotland and Wales ‘as soon as we know more’.

All TUI holidays due to depart before the rule comes in, will operate as normal.

A spokesperson said: "We understand that holidays abroad (for those living in England) are unable to take place from 00:01 on Thursday 5 November.

"As soon as we have more information we will be updating customers as soon as we can. If holidays are unable to take place, customers will be notified and offered the option to amend with an incentive, receive an ATOL-protected refund credit note with a re-booking incentive, or cancel and receive a full cash refund within 14 days.

"Customers currently on holiday can continue to enjoy their holiday as planned.

"We would like to thank our customers for their understanding."

By Lisa James, Deputy Editor (UK)

Related News Stories: