The German travel giant’s first leisure flights took off from Germany, Belgium and Switzerland earlier this month; the Balearics, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and Croatia are among destinations to host Tui’s first holidays following its three-month Covid hiatus.

In the UK and Ireland, Tui will restart limited operations from 11 July, flying from Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester to a handful of destinations in Spain and Greece.

Tui’s first ex-UK flights will be Gatwick-Ibiza and Birmingham-Palma; it will operate 44 flights a week to eight destinations from 11-24 July before growing its schedule to include a further 11 destinations from 25 July. Short- and mid-haul operations will be "ramped up" from August.

Earlier this month, Tui trialled a range of new measures designed to make its holiday operations safe, and is now reviewing the outcome of the trial to Majorca, in which a number of German holidaymakers participated.

"First data shows that customers are accepting the protective measures and requirements during flights and in hotels," said Tui, adding further details of the outcome of the pilot and of consumer sentiment would be issued shortly.

Tui has also welcomed the European Commission’s ambition to restart travel to non-EU destinations in the near future.

"It is right, and reflects the demand of many holidaymakers to allow travel to non-EU countries where possible in a similar safe and responsible way, such as in Turkey or Morocco," said Tui.

"Conversations with the respective governments give confidence their health and safety protocols meet high standards as within the EU.

"As an integrated tourism group, with its own tour operators, hotels and airlines, Tui is well prepared to offer holidays in those popular destinations at short notice, once national travel restrictions have been lifted."

Tui’s first long-haul flight will take place on 2 July, flying from Amsterdam to Netherlands Antilles.