Thousands of Brits set to go away this summer have had their dreams dashed after package holiday giant TUI cancelled holidays until July 1 and cruises until August.
Sun-starved travellers who were looking forward to a relaxing beach break were told today that bookings were once again being cancelled due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
TUI - Britain’s biggest holiday firm - had previously said that it hoped to resume travel on June 12.
Guidance from the Foreign Office advises against all non-essential travel abroad, and there is currently no prospect of this changing soon.
Now the holiday firm has also suspended its Marella Cruises sailings up to July 30.
TUI said in a statement that it has extended the suspension of holidays “due to the ongoing travel restrictions”.
A statement on the website states: "Due to the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have advised against all but essential travel.
"If your holiday falls into one of the below categories, we’re really sorry to say that it has been cancelled.
"TUI holidays travelling on or before 30 June 2020, TUI River Cruises sailings travelling up until and including 25 November 2020 [and] Marella Cruises sailings on or before 30 July 2020."
The move to delay holidays has also been taken by TUI's biggest rival Jet2holidays.
A mandatory 14-day quarantine for all travellers arriving in the UK is due to begin on June 8.
The new rules will apply to all returning holidaymakers - but will be reviewed every few weeks.
No mainstream UK tour operator will run trips until the FCO changes its position.
It comes as dozens of travel companies have called on the Home Secretary Priti Patel to scrap the rule.
Signed by more than 70 travel bosses, the letter warns it will “deter foreign visitors from travelling to the UK” and “deter UK visitors from going abroad.”
TUI previously apologised to hundreds of thousands of customers after they battled to get their cash back.
The firm has now created a section online where people can secure a cash refund, removing the need to call them.
To secure a refund or delay your holiday, click here.
