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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Ellen Kirwin

Jet2 cancels more flights 'with a heavy heart' after travel uncertainty

Jet has announced that because of the 'continued uncertainty' of travel restrictions it will be cancelling more flights and holidays.

In a statement posted to social media, Jet2 said it will be suspending both flights and holidays up to and including June 23, 2021.

This comes just moments after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said to BBC news that it is the 'first time' in months that he is 'not advising people not to book to go away.'

He said: "This is probably the first time that I can come on and say I'm not advising people not to book to go away this summer.

"Instead, I'm saying to people in two or three weeks you're going to have that list of green countries, amber and red.

"So people will be able to take some of their own decisions on this and should obviously look carefully at their travel policies and refunds."

However Jet2 has said that it's because of the 'continued uncertainty following the release of the Global Travel Taskforce framework' that the cancellations are taking place.

The Jet2 statement reads: "Because of the continued uncertainty following the release of the Global Travel Taskforce framework, it is with a heavy heart that we have taken the decision to extend the suspension of flights and holidays up to and including 23rd June, 2021.

"Where customers yet to travel are affected by any programme changes, we will automatically cancel their booking with a full refund, and our team of travel experts will be in touch to help them to book their summer getaway for later in the year.

"We have received praise from customers, consumer organisation, media and independent travel agents for our industry-leading and prompt refunding of over £1bn to customers whose travel plans have been affected by programme changes during the pandemic, and we will continue this customer-first approach.

"Unlike many other companies, we will refund customers if they want their money back and will not force them to accept refund credit notes."

On Friday Mr Shapps announced a "framework" for the resumption of overseas leisure travel, which included requiring all arrivals to take pre-departure and post-arrival coronavirus tests.

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Post-arrival tests must be the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) type which cost about £120, he said.

This led to a furious backlash from the travel industry, which wants travellers returning from low-risk countries to be allowed to take lateral flow tests, which are cheaper and quicker.

He said he was looking to "drive down the costs" of tests required for international travel to resume.

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