No let up for industry as Cyprus rejects Jet2 appeal

Cypriot Government officials resisted pressure from Jet2 to relax its entry requirements for UK tourists as the travel industry’s bleak week continues to worsen.

Discussions had taken place with officials over the past two days as the operator tried in vain to lift onerous entry restrictions which come into effect on August 1.

From that date, the UK will move from category C – a level which has barred people from entering Cyprus if they have been in the UK in the past 14 days – to category B status, meaning UK citizens will be allowed to enter the country.

But it will still require tourists to take a PCR test up to 72 hours before their arrival to prove they don’t have Covid.

For Jet2, which had planned to resume its Cyprus programme on 1 August, the conditions proved too arduous.

"Because of prohibitive entry restrictions into Cyprus, we have no choice but to suspend our flights and holidays program to Larnaca and Paphos up to and including August 16," the company said.

"We urge the Cypriot authorities to review the entry requirements in line with other destinations, so that our customers can enjoy their well-deserved holidays."

TUI and EasyJet Holidays had already made clear they would not operate to Cyprus if the test requirements remained in place.

Cyprus tourism marketing officer Stelios Constantinides said: "There was some discussions during the last two days whether the Cyprus Government was in a position to review the policy with the test requirement. This was not obviously something it could change despite the pressure from the tour operator [Jet2].

"From the very beginning of the crisis Cyprus has worked very hard to keep the risk down, and was one of the counties that imposed strict measures

"The Government made clear they are not prepared to sacrifice the risk to health."

Assuming UK infection rates do not begin to rise, it is understood the UK will become a category A country in mid August. That will eliminate the need for pre-arrival tests although passengers will still need to complete a Cyprus Flight Pass.

Random tests at the airport will also be carried out.

Constantinides said tourism officials remained hopeful they could rescue at least part of the summer once the restrictions are eased.

"We are optimistic and tour operators are optimistic that we’ll get some good late business," he said.

"We all look forward to seeing the UK moving to category A by the middle of August."

He predicted Cyprus could still attract 30% of its usual tourist business.

But he accepted the chaos surrounding Spain and the requirement for tourists to quarantine on their return was likely to dent consumer confidence.

"Spain is going to create more uncertainty for everybody, no matter where they travel to and I can understand the frustration of travel agents and the amount of work they are having to do" he said.

"From a customer perspective, let’s be honest, going on holiday is about escaping from the daily routine, it’s about relaxing. If you’re going to travel now you’ll already be stressed from having to study the regulations, the requirements and the protocols.

"You’ll be anxious about the airport, perhaps you need to queue more than normal. Then you need to fly for three or four hours wearing a mask and sitting next to other people.  

"Then imagine going to the pool once you arrive and reading in the paper that you have to quarantine when you arrive home. To me this is not a holiday."