TUI has issued travel updates to customers with changes made to flights, holidays and testing requirements.
The tour operator has been keeping holidaymakers updated with all the latest restrictions changes throughout the pandemic during a tumultuous year for travel.
Due to the threat of Omicron, several countries have closed their borders to UK travellers - including France - spelling disaster for people with winter holidays and trips booked over Christmas.
TUI has been forced to cancel several flights and issue warnings over pre-departure tests as destinations change their rules to cope with the Omicron variant.
It comes as 111 countries were removed from the UK's red list this week despite a record number of Covid cases recorded.
Here are the latest changes announced by TUI.
Pre-departure testing for customers arriving in the UK
All passengers entering the UK will now need to have a negative lateral flow or PCR test before departure, which must be taken within 48 hours before travel.
This came into effect on December 7.
TUI said: "We would like to reassure customers that their holiday is still due to operate as planned, and our destination teams are confirming testing availability for customers in resort. Customers in resort should contact their TUI representative for their nearest testing clinic.
"For customers due to travel after December 8, we recommend you order your tests today or on Monday so they can be delivered to your home before you depart on your flight.
"For customers who are unable to travel as planned, please contact us on 0203 451 2688 to discuss your options, which includes changing your holiday fee-free."
France holidays cancelled
TUI owns Crystal Ski holidays, which has cancelled departures to France for December 21, 28, and January 4.
The company said it has contacted affected customers to offer them options such as a rebooking incentive.
It also said it would contact holidaymakers who have booked flights into France with plans to travel onwards to other popular ski hotspots like Andorra and Switzerland, to arrange alternative flights and travel options.
As part of a statement issued on its website, the company said: "We’ll continue to monitor the situation for future departures. For customers due to travel 3rd January to 31st January that want to change their holiday can do so up to 14 days before their departure with our Crystal Holiday Promise.
"For customers due to travel 1st February onwards that want to change their holiday can do so up to 28 days before their departure with our Crystal Holiday Promise."
Cancelled flights to Spanish holiday destination
TUI has been forced to cancel more flights to a Spanish destination.
Due to a volcanic eruption in La Palma, all flights have been scrapped until February 10, 2022.
TUI said: "Due to the ongoing situation we’ve unfortunately had to cancel all flights to La Palma departing up to and including 10 February 2022 . All impacted customers will be contacted directly to discuss their options.
"The next scheduled flight to La Palma is 17 February 2022.
"We’d like to reassure customers due to travel to any other Canary Islands that our flights are currently operating as planned however we will continue to monitor the situation and contact them should their holiday be impacted.
"We’d like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during this time."
Lapland update
Due to restriction changes in Finland, customers heading off to a Christmas experience in Lapland will need to take a rapid flow test within 48 hours of arrival.
This new requirement is in addition to the existing entry requirements:
- Proving your vaccine status
- Taking a test to return within 2 days of your return flight (to the UK)
- Taking a test within 2 days of your return home and isolating until you have the results
TUI said: "We’re aware of the recent change in entry requirements for Finland, that as of 00:00 on Saturday 18th December, anyone aged 16 years and over must take an antigen (rapid flow) test within 48 hours of arrival into Finland.
"Customers due to travel on day trips don’t need to take any additional action and use the antigen (rapid flow) test required by the UK authorities for both entry to Finland and entry to the UK."
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