Jet2 cancels all flights to Spain, Ibiza and Tenerife over coronavirus outbreak

Jet2 has cancelled all flights to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands for the next week with immediate effect in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The airline, which is based at nine UK airports, had their planes from the UK to Spain turned back in mid-air and diverted to airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and East Midlands.

"This is a fast-moving and complex situation and we are reviewing our programme as a matter of urgency, so that we can fly customers back to the UK," the airline said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for the airline confirmed on Saturday morning that flights had turned back.

The airline's decision comes just a day after the Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to Spain.

New infections have risen sharply in Spain and the government put 60,000 people in four towns on a mandatory lockdown on Friday.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said a two-week state of emergency will come into force as the country's death toll reached 120.

There were seven flights in total departing the UK, which have now returned to their departure bases.

A Jet2 spokesperson said: "In response to local measures introduced throughout Spain to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the closure of bars, restaurants, shops and activities including any water sports, we have taken the decision to suspend flights for at least the next seven days to Mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect.

"We know these local measures will have a significant impact on our customers’ holidays which is why we have taken this decision.

“We are contacting our customers who are currently in these destinations, and who are due to travel, to advise them of their options, so we urge customers not to call us.

“This is a fast-moving and complex situation and we are reviewing our programme as a matter of urgency, so that we can fly customers back to the UK.

“The health and safety of our customers is our number one priority, and we would like to thank our customers for their understanding.”

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