Irish tourists in Spain who wish to return home are being urged to come back by midnight Thursday.
Tanaiste Simon Coveney has said that Ryanair and Aer Lingus are allocating bigger planes to routes in order to get people home.
And they are also waiving booking and seat fees for anyone who wants to change their flight to one in the coming days.
Both the Spanish and Irish governments have said that airports and airspace remains open.
Simon Coveney TD said: “Following my discussions with Ryanair and Aer Lingus I am calling on all Irish tourists who wish to return from Spain to do so by midnight this coming Thursday March 19th.
"Both airlines are allocating bigger planes to the routes in order to accommodate passengers and both airlines have waved booking and seat fees for anyone who wants to change a booking from a later flight to one in the coming days.”
Spanish airports are asking passengers to travel to the airport in small groups and at their allotted time, and only if they have a booking.
The Tanaiste continued: “I understand the deep concern about returning home from mainland Spain or the Canary and Balearic Islands in the coming days.
"We have been working closely with our colleagues in the Spanish government and have an orderly plan in place with Ryanair and Aer Lingus supported by the Spanish government.”
"My Spanish Foreign Affairs and Transport counterparts have assured me that Spanish airports remain open and the country is not bringing about a flight ban.
"They further assure me that Spanish airspace remains open for Irish airlines to bring citizens home.
"I reaffirmed Ireland’s solidarity with Spain at this difficult time and thanked their frontline authorities for dealing with this unprecedented challenge.”
