All Tui holidays to Spain’s islands have been cancelled until 10 August, while bookings to the mainland have been suspended until 17 August.

Customers can cancel and receive a full refund, or amend their holiday to a later date, or a new destination, and receive a booking incentive. Those currently overseas will be able to continue as planned.

Elsewhere in Europe, and due to “overwhelming demand”, Tui has added seven extra flights to Greece and Turkey on 8, 9 and 10 August.

UK managing director Andrew Flintham said customer feedback showed the public’s desire to holiday abroad this summer - with more than 70% of customers with cancelled holidays moving to another destination over the same period or in the coming weeks.

“The summer holiday period is the most important time of year for travel operators and we are therefore doing everything we can to help customers get their well-deserved holiday,” said Flintham.

“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 and we have worked hard to provide safe and enjoyable holidays this summer.  
 
“Importantly, we also call upon the UK government to work closely with the travel industry and remove the ‘blunt tool’ approach to quarantine and consider the rapid introduction of regional travel corridors. The level of uncertainty and confusion created this week is damaging for business and customer confidence in travel.”

Flintham said the seven flights for Greece and Turkey Tui has placed on sale on Tuesday (28 July) has “already nearly sold out”, prompting the extra services for next week to  Crete, Rhodes, Zante and Corfu, Dalaman and Antalya in Turkey. 

“We will also continue to use our 787 Dreamliners, traditionally used for long-haul routes, to help with the additional demand,” he added.