'We're off to Skegness!': Four Leeds women turned round mid-air on way to Benidorm after Coronavirus cancels flights

Kelly Davies, 31, her mum Susan and friends Beverley Bradley and Charlotte Pritchard were on the 7am flight from Leeds Bradford Airport this morning.

However, around 90 minutes into the flight, the captain announced over the tannoy that the plane would be turned round and heading back to Leeds Bradford Airport after all flights were cancelled to Spain and the surrounding islands by Jet2.

Not to be deterred by the announcement, the group immediately set about organising a trip to Skegness and are currently driving to the coast.

Kelly told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "We got on the flight shortly after 7am and set off about 7.20am.

"About halfway through the journey, the captain came on the tannoy.

"He told us all flights had been cancelled by Jet2 and we could not land.

"We turned around midair and headed back to Leeds Bradford Aiport.

"Nobody could believe it."

The holiday was for 20 of Kelly's family and friends who were set to meet up in Benidorm.

Kelly added: "We have had to make a last minute plan B so when we landed, we decided to set off to Skegness."

Kelly told the Yorkshire Evening Post that many passengers on the plane had not travelled due to Coronavirus worries - with the plane allegedly only being 'half-full'.

She said when the announcement was made, many were left shocked on the plane - including one passenger who was trying to get home to a sick relative.

Kelly said: "Some people were kind of expecting it but others were mortified.

"It did come as a shock."

Jet2 has cancelled all flights to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands with immediate effect.

The airline is based at nine UK airports, including Leeds Bradford Airport.

"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.

The statement from Jet2 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 cancel all flights 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."