This Morning: Simon Calder discusses summer holidays

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Package holiday providers reported a surge in bookings after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his plans to ease lockdown. However, a rise in coronavirus cases across Europe threaten to cancel plans.

Over the weekend, a scientist on the government’s Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling warned holidays are “extremely unlikely”.

Speaking BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Dr Tildesley said: “I think that international travel this summer is, for the average holidaymaker, sadly I think, extremely unlikely.”

Following these comments, what are the latest package holiday updates from TUI, British Airways holidays, easyJet holidays, Jet2 holidays and Virgin Atlantic holidays?

TUI

Package holidays provided by TUI are cancelled up until May 17 at the earliest.

Customers who are impacted by cancellations are entitled to a refund or to rebook their holiday for a later date.

TUI says it is in the process of contacting customers, however, they can also take matters into their own hands by logging onto the “Manage My Booking” portal.

TUI explains “all TUI holidays departing from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including flight-only and accommodation-only bookings, due to depart on or before May 16, 2021” are now cancellation.

Holidays “including flight-only and accommodation-only bookings” to Los Cabos, Mexico, and Kvarner Bay, Croatia, due to depart before October 31, 2021, are also cancelled.

The holiday operator states: “Please rest assured, if your holiday has been cancelled, we’ll be contacting you soon to discuss your options.

“If you booked online, your booking information in Manage My Booking will be updated as soon as possible, too.

“We’re working around the clock to do this and are getting in touch with customers in departure date order.”

Customers due to travel later in the year will be contacted “nearer the time” if their plans change.

TUI added: “On April 12, we expect to know more about when international travel will be able to resume.”

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British Airways holidays

British Airways (BA) holidays is the package holiday arm of the British flag bearing airline.

BA has plans to resume its package holiday offering from May 17 at the earliest.

It has not yet made any new updates following the recent surge in coronavirus cases in Europe.

“All affected customers will be contacted and offered a refund,” an airline spokesperson previously told Express.co.uk.

The company said in a statement: “If we cannot fulfil a holiday, we’re committed to ensuring customers receive a full refund within 14 days.

“Customers who are unable to travel, or choose not to, can continue to change their holiday without a change fee, or request a voucher for future use.”

easyJet holidays

easyJet holidays have announced plans to resume travel from May 17 at the earliest, in line with Government restrictions.

The holiday provider has not yet reacted to the latest statistics across Europe.

“Following the news that international travel restrictions are set to be in place until at least 17 May, easyJet holidays has taken the decision to cancel all holidays up to and including 16 May 2021,” a spokesperson told Express.co.uk

“All affected customers will be contacted with their options, which include a full refund or taking advantage of a £100 off a future holiday incentive if opting to rebook their holiday for a later date.”

Refunds are expected to be issued within an “average of 12 days”.

According to the easyJet website: “We’re continually working through how Covid-19 may impact future bookings in departure date order.

“If your holiday becomes affected, we’ll let you know as soon as we can.”

Jet2 holidays

Jet2 holidays has announced plans to resume from May 17 in line with the Prime Minister’s roadmap out of lockdown.

“We don’t have the specific details around country entry requirements yet, but we’ll make sure all the information is available on this page 14 days before our holidays are due to restart,” the holiday provider states on its website.

In a statement, Jet2 holidays added: “If you’ve been affected by these programme changes, we’ll be automatically cancelling your booking with a full refund.

“If you’re due to travel from May 17, 2021, onwards, we’ll provide an update closer to the time.

“We want our customers to be on holiday enjoying themselves and we’re looking forward to resuming our award-winning flights.

“In the meantime, we’d like to thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Virgin Atlantic holidays

Virgin Atlantic has cancelled all of its package holidays until May 17 at the earliest.

The holiday provider says it is in the process of contacting all impacted customers.

This will be done in order of departure.

“The UK Government has confirmed that restrictions will remain for the near future, easing no earlier than May 17, 2021, which means that unfortunately, we’ll be cancelling all holidays up to and including May 16, 2021,” said Virgin Holidays in a statement.

“If you haven’t heard from us just yet, please don’t worry as we will be in touch. We’re grateful for all our customers’ patience as we contact everyone affected.”

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