TUI to resume flights from Glasgow to Spain and Turkey

Travel firm TUI will resume flights from Glasgow to popular holiday destinations Spain and Turkey from August 1.

The announcement comes after the Scottish Government announced it will lift quarantine measures for holidaymakers returning from Spain.

Scots will no longer have to self-isolate for 14 days coming back from the Spanish mainland or its surrounding islands after the policy was reviewed on Monday.

The first TUI flight to depart Glasgow Airport will be to Palma, Majorca at 6.15am.

A total of ten destinations will be on offer between August 1 and 7 for Scots looking to enjoy a sunshine break overseas – namely Lanzarote, Antalya, Corfu, Dalaman, Ibiza, Gran Canaria, Palma, Reus, Tenerife and Zakynthos.

Paphos and Tunisia will be added to the programme throughout August.

Richard Sofer, commercial director at TUI UK & Ireland, said: “We’re starting small, offering holidays to some of our most popular destinations, so that those who want to travel can do so safely.

“Of course, the current circumstances mean we need to be flexible, and we’re ready to adapt our plans if need be. We’re always monitoring local and international Government advice, and we’ll constantly review our holiday programme as we go along.”

A blanket quarantine policy for all international travel had been introduced in Scotland in June to try to avoid importing cases of coronavirus.

On July 8, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon approved quarantine-free travel from 39 ‘green’ rated countries, including Germany, Austria, Norway and Malta.

It further included most of the 20 countries on the ‘amber’ list, where a prevalence of coronavirus is below or not “significantly higher” than Scotland, including France, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy and Poland.

However, Sturgeon said she could not “in good conscience” approve air bridges with Spain due to higher rates of Covid-19.

The change announced yesterday to include Spain – including both the mainland and popular island destinations like Majorca, Menorca and the Canary Islands – will be implemented later this week.

Derek Provan, chief executive at Glasgow and Aberdeen airports, said: “TUI is one of our long standing airline partners and it’s great to welcome them back to Glasgow after what has been four long months.

“Like TUI, we have introduced a range of health measures within the airport to provide a safe environment for passengers and ensure they can fly with confidence.”