Leeds-based Jet2 sees 600% surge in summer holiday bookings to Portugal following green list announcement

Jet2 has seen a surge in bookings to Portugal

Jet2 has reported a 600 per cent increase in holiday bookings to Portugal this summer following the transport secretary's announcement of green list destinations.

Bookings to Faro in the Algarve and Madeira for this summer have surged in the past 24 hours since Portugal was announced as one of the few green list countries.

Compared to the same period one week ago, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays bookings to the summer destination have increased by over 1,300 per cent.

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays will recommence flights and holidays on June 24, operating to Faro from ten of its UK bases this summer, with flights and holidays operating to Madeira from nine UK bases.

Customers with holidays booked to destinations which are not on the green list are being asked to hold off from contacting the companies as they consider decisions on this matter.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “We have seen enormous pent-up demand from holidaymakers for some time now, and this rush of bookings to Portugal just shows how ready people are to get away from the gloom to escape to the sunshine.

"We’re ready and raring to go from 24th June, with our teams looking forward to welcoming customers and delivering our award-winning customer service again.

"Although more cautious in approach than expected, the UK Government has demonstrated that it wants to reopen travel, and we look forward to further positive news about where we can fly to in the coming weeks.”