TUI has announced that it is suspending hotel stays, package holidays and cruises until further notice.
The German-based tour company said it is suspending most of its operations until further notice in light of the deepening coronavirus crisis and applying for government help.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
3
Travel has decreased sharply as more and more countries apply tough new restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Italy, Spain and France are all on lockdown in an effort to curb the alarming rise in new coronavirus cases and deaths.
At the weekend, Jet2 ordered planes heading for Spain to perform a dramatic U-turn and announced that it would no longer fly to Lyon, Grenoble, Paris and Nice until at least April 26.
In the US, President Trump extended his European flight ban to the UK and Irleland, travellers returning home from abroad were stuck in line for hours at major airports for screenings and certain states like California and Illinois ordered restaurants and bars to close.
EasyJet has also revealed that it is grounding 100 aircraft and BA is cancelling 75 per cent of its flights due to the pandemic.
A statement by TUI said: “In this rapidly changing environment the safety and welfare of our guests and employees worldwide remains of paramount importance and thus TUI Group has decided, in line with government guidelines, to suspend the vast majority of all travel operations until further notice, including package travel, cruises and hotel operations.”
3
It continued: “This temporary suspension is aimed at contributing to global governmental efforts to mitigate the effects of the spread of the Covid-19.”
“We are taking substantial cost measures to mitigate the earnings effect. Moreover, we have decided to apply for state aid guarantees to support the business until normal operations are resumed.”
It withdrew its earnings guidance for this year and said it was refraining from issuing new guidance in the current circumstances.
The coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 170,000 people and killed more than 6,500.
3
The COVID-19 illness is mild or moderate for most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or people with existing health problems. More than 77,000 people have recovered from it so far, mostly in China.
We’ve explained how to cancel your holiday to the US following the travel ban extension to the UK.
Here is how to get a refund if you have a holiday booked for Spain as well.
