Airlines have criticised the government for new restrictions which mean people travelling from Spain to the UK will need to self isolate for a fortnight
The sudden decision to remove the travel corridor between the two countries was announced on Saturday evening and applied from midnight.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has also now also advised against all but essential travel to the Spanish mainland, the Liverpool Echo reports.
UK airlines which carry direct flights to Spain accused the government of throwing people's travel plans into "chaos".
And Tui, the UK's biggest tour operator, said removing Spain from the air bridge scheme would have a serious impact on the troubled industry.
Both EasyJet and British Airways expressed disappointment at the announcement and said that they were still planning to operate flights as scheduled.
This is how airlines have responded so far. Ryanair has not yet commented on the changes.
EasyJet
In a statement, EasyJet criticised the decision on the grounds that the spike in cases in Spain was "regional rather than nationwide".
The airline said that customer who no longer wished to travel could transfer flights free of charge or obtain a voucher for the value of the booking.
An EasyJet spokesman said: "We are disappointed that the Government has decided to impose a quarantine requirement for those travelling from the whole of Spain since the increased occurrence of coronavirus is regional rather than nationwide.
"We plan to operate our full schedule in the coming days. Customers who no longer wish to travel can transfer their flights without a change fee or receive a voucher for the value of the booking.
"Should any flights be cancelled for later in August customers will be notified and informed of their options which includes transferring to an alternative flight free of charge, receiving a voucher or applying for a refund via a webform on our dedicated Covid Help Hub at easyJet.com."
British Airways
British Airways said the decision would throw "thousands of Briton's travel plans into chaos" - and branded it "yet another blow for British holidaymakers".
The airline said that customers could find further information on their website.
A British Airways spokesman said: "While our flights continue to operate, we are disappointed that the government is now advising against all but essential travel to mainland Spain and re-introducing quarantine for holidaymakers returning from Spain with immediate effect, throwing thousands of Briton's travel plans into chaos.
"This is sadly yet another blow for British holidaymakers and cannot fail to have an impact on an already troubled aviation industry.
"We will be providing our customers with the latest information about their flights on ba.com."
The aviation industry has been left reeling from the financial impact of coronavirus with many airlines announcing hundreds of redundancies in a desperate bid to cut costs.
TUI
TUI has cancelled Sunday's (July 26) flights to Spain but said it will resume flights from Monday, July 27.
The statement read: "Due to the travel advice change against all but essential travel to mainland Spain, TUI UK have taken the decision to cancel all holidays to mainland Spain up to and including Sunday 9th August 2020.
"We know how much our customers look forward to their holiday abroad and some will be able to accommodate the new quarantine restrictions, therefore all those that wish to travel to the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands will be able to travel as planned from Monday 27th July.
"Customers due to travel to all areas of Spain between 27th July and Sunday 9th August will be able to cancel or amend holidays and will be able to receive a full refund or the option to rebook their holiday with a booking incentive.
"We will proactively contact all these customers. Customers with holidays from 10th August will be updated on Friday 31st July."
The statement continued: "All customers currently on holiday can continue to enjoy their holiday and will return on their intended flight home.
"We will continue to work closely with the UK Government and look to understand why quarantine has been issued for a whole country, including the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands, when the travel advice isn't aligned (only applying to mainland Spain).
"We believe regional travel corridors need to be considered.
"The health and safety of our customers and colleagues is always our highest priority and welcome travel advice that protects those that holiday with us.
"However, the UK Government must work closely with the travel industry as this level of uncertainty and confusion is damaging for business and disappointing for those looking forward to a well-deserved break."
Jet2
Tour operator Jet2.com said it was continuing to run its scheduled programme of flights to and from mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
A spokesperson said: "We are still operating flights and holidays to four destinations in mainland Spain (Costa de Almeria, Alicante, Malaga and Murcia), which are open and are located away from areas which have been impacted by increased cases of Covid-19.
"In light of the updated advice from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), we are in the process of reviewing options for customers due to travel to these four destinations."
They added: "We are also continuing to operate flights and holidays to our destinations in the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands as scheduled.
"Because the FCO travel advice to these destinations remains unchanged, our usual terms and conditions apply.
"As always, we advise customers to purchase appropriate travel insurance before travelling."
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiWWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJlbGZhc3RsaXZlLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYmVsZmFzdC1uZXdzL2Vhc3lqZXQtYnJpdGlzaC1haXJ3YXlzLWpldDItdHVpLTE4NjY0NDEy0gEA?oc=5
2020-07-26 13:58:00Z
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