Hundreds of British tourists touched down in Majorca today as travel giant Jet2 welcomed back staff who have been furloughed for a year.
Four flights operated by the holiday firm arrived the island airport by midday - with jubilant sunseekers bussed to beachside hotels looking forward to a busy summer after Downing Street put the Balearics on its green travel list.
Jet2holidays rep Janine Simpson, furloughed since March last year, welcomed the first people off flight LS601 from East Midlands by telling them: “You’re the first tourists I’ve seen in 15 months. Welcome to Majorca, it’s lovely to see you.”
Mariana Land, 38, from Leeds, dipping her toes in the water of her hotel pool in Palmanova with five friends, including her soon-to-be chief bridesmaid Mel White, 34, after checking in this morning, said: “It feels so great to be sitting in the sun. I feel very emotional.
“There was a real buzz on the plane. Everyone looked so happy, even the officials at passport control.”
Mel, also from Leeds, added: “We were originally booked to go to Benidorm last May for one 40th and two 50th birthdays in our holiday group.
“The trip got cancelled twice and we booked last Friday to come here when we saw Palmanova was available and we wouldn’t have to quarantine when we got back home which would have been out of the question for us what with work and family commitments.
“It’s fallen just right because Mariana’s getting married to my brother on July 30 and I’m chief bridesmaid so we’ll have a hen night while we’re out here.
“We’re here four nights and all our food and drinks are included so it will be pure relax, beach, pool, nights out and working on our tan.
“Most of us haven’t been abroad for the past two years.
“The whole holiday with everything but Covid tests included is costing us about £475 each.
“We looked at staycations and Jersey was a possibility but B&B there would have been more expensive than it was here and this is all-inclusive."
NHS midwife Sam Taylor, 51, from Dartford in Kent, topping up her tan on Palmanova beach before a paddle in the sea with friend Cath Payne, 69, after just 24 hours on the island, said: “I booked before the Balearics went green for five days only so I could allow for my quarantine.
“It’s my granddaughter’s first birthday when I get back so the fact Majorca is now on the green list means I won’t have to self-isolate which is a huge bonus.
“I was very nervous about coming because although I was pretty sure I had everything I needed, I was worried I’d get turned back when I arrived.
“I did a lateral flow test for peace of mind even though I didn’t have to but in the end everything went very smoothly.
“Because of my work the last year and a half has been very stressful. I’ve experienced and seen things I never would have wanted to see.
“Being able to come here and recharge my batteries in the Spanish sunshine is wonderful.
“The sea’s nice and warm, the cocktails are delicious and the food is amazing.”
Maya Davidson, 19, from Macclesfield, part of a group of six teenage girls heading to Magaluf beach from their nearby hotel, said: “There was supposed to be a massive group of us but a lot didn’t come because they thought the whole of Spain would stay amber.
“We stuck to it and Majorca turned green just before we were due to arrive.
“They’re back at home and are really jealous of us now.
“We picked the perfect window because the authorities weren’t asking for any Covid test results or proof or vaccination when we arrived.
“We’re supposed to be going back on Sunday but we may extend.”
Earlier in the day Director of Foreign Health Raul Izquierdo confirmed the NHS app would be accepted as proof of Covid vaccination at Spanish airports including those of the Balearic Islands when the rules on entry for British tourists change.
Since the end of May when Spain opened up to UK holidaymakers no test results or vaccine history have needed to be shown.
From today British tourists jetting to Spain including green list destinations Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca will have to show they are double-jabbed or produce a negative PCR ‘Gold Standard’ test.
Dr Izquierdo said: “British tourists will be able to show the NHS app to prove their vaccine history or a printed certificate. There is no problem with either.”
