JET2 BLOW FOR TOURISM
Ryanair and easyJet are the only main carriers still operating
THE ANNOUNCEMENT by Jet2 that they are extending the suspension of flights and holidays to Alicante, Malaga and Faro due to the ongoing uncertainty caused by the Covid19 pandemic has heaped more pressure on the struggling tourism sector in the area. In a statement issued on Monday the company noted that flights will not resume until February 10, 2021.
Their announcement has dealt many Costa Blanca businesses reliant on British holidaymakers a bitter blow, leaving just Ryanair and easyJet as the main carriers still operating. Hostelry sector business owners in Benidorm lamented that they are in desperate need of British tourists to support their trade and they will now have to survive without them for a longer period.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT by Jet2 that they are extending the suspension of flights and holidays to Alicante, Malaga and Faro due to the ongoing uncertainty caused by the Covid19 pandemic has heaped more pressure on the struggling tourism sector.
In a statement issued on Monday the company noted that flights will not resume until February 10, 2021.
The move means that thousands of tourists and second home owners have had their plans for holidays thrown into disarray. Jet2 has stated that customers will automatically receive a full refund but many that booked flights and accommodation separately are now left with a predicament of what to do next.
Their announcement has dealt many Costa Blanca businesses reliant on British holidaymakers a bitter blow, leaving just Ryanair and easyJet as the main carriers still operating.
Benidorm
Jet2 are one of the chief tour operators for a number of hotels in Benidorm including Levante Club Hotel & Spa, Sol Pelicanos, Flash, Hotel Presidente, Melia and Magic Rock Gardens – all of whom currently remain shut.
Any thoughts of reopening for Christmas could now be undermined with the knowledge that Jet2 will not
be bringing in tourists until February at the earliest.
Bars, cafes and restaurant owners have also noted that they are in desperate need of British holidaymakers.
Jet2 has been one of the biggest operators, flying into Alicante from nine UK airports.
Bank holiday boost
Last week did bring a reprieve however, with the extended fourday bank holiday which bought a small ray of light and life back to Benidorm.
Hotelier’s association HOSBEC reported occupancy levels of 95% in Benidorm, although around three quarters of the hotels are closed.
Thousands of Spaniards flocked to the resort to enjoy the mild weather and many bars and restaurants, in particular in the Old Town were full to capacity.
Sadly, the bulk of the Rincon de Loix, traditionally favoured by the British remained fairly quiet, with many of the businesses remaining closed, in the main blaming the 14day quarantine still required for holidaymakers returning to the UK. Now those options have been curtailed even more and many will now realistically be looking to Easter 2021 as the turning point for the resort.