Is Jet2, Ryanair and EasyJet cancelling and refunding flights to Croatia due to new quarantine rules?

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HOLIDAYS to Croatia have been thrown into jeopardy after the government imposed new quarantine rules.

We explain what this means if you’ve got a trip booked with Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways.

Jet2 is still selling flights to popular destinations in Croatia including Split and Dubrovnik

The new travel rules mean anyone returning to the UK from Croatia will now have to self-isolate for two weeks, starting from 4am tomorrow.

This also applies to travellers coming back from Austria and Trinidad and Tobago. 

It follows similar bans on all non-essential travel to France, Spain, Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas due to rising coronavirus cases.

The shake-up has left many passengers no longer wanting to fly.

Generally speaking, you’ll be entitled to a refund if your airline cancels your flight or package holiday.

But if your holiday is still going ahead, you may struggle to get your money back.

Here’s what it means for you, and what options you have available, if you booked directly with an airline.

If you booked via a third party, you should contact them directly in the first instance.

British Airways – flights can be switched for a voucher

BA is still running a limited schedule of flights to Croatia, so you won’t be entitled to a refund unless it cancels your trip.

If you no longer want to travel, but your flight is still going ahead, you can ask for a voucher to use on a future booking – but there are a few catches.

This only applies to those with travel up to September 30, 2020, if booked before March 3, 2020, or for travel up to December 31, 2020, if booked after March 3, 2020.

Crucially, your flight must also be exchanged for a voucher before check in for your original trip closes.

Vouchers can be used on a future booking up until April 30, 2022.

If you’ve got a package holiday booked directly through BA, you have up to seven days after the government’s announcement to request a voucher.

BA is also allowing passengers to change flights, although you will have to pay any difference in price.

EasyJet – change booking or request a voucher

EasyJet is planning on running a full schedule to Croatia, so again, you won’t be entitled to a refund if your trip isn’t cancelled.

If you no longer want to travel, you can change your booking for free – but you’ll have to pay any difference in price.

You can also request a voucher for the value of your booking.

EasyJet hasn’t said if it’s cancelling all package holidays to Croatia, like it did with France.

Package holidays to Croatia are due to start again on September 1, 2020, and easyJet told HOAR it’ll be contacting customers to discuss their options.

For customers due to fly in September, easyJet will be offering vouchers to use on a future trip if you no longer want to travel.

For any individual flight or package holiday that gets cancelled by the airline, you’ll be entitled to a refund.

It’s crucial you wait for the tour operator to cancel your trip – if you cancel the trip yourself, you won’t be entitled to a refund.

See more information on your refund rights for Croatia holidays here.

Jet2 – change bookings with no fee

Jet2 hasn’t confirmed if it’s cancelled any of its Croatia flights or package holidays.

When HOAR checked on its website this morning, it was still selling flights to popular destinations like Split and Dubrovnik.

In previous circumstances, such as when quarantine restrictions were introduced for travellers coming back from Spain, Jet2 allowed customers to move their booking to another date without charge.

Alternatively, customers could ask for a credit note to use in the next six months.

We’ve asked Jet2 if these options will be available for travellers with a holiday to Croatia booked and we’ll update this article when we know more.

You won’t get a refund unless your flight or package holiday is cancelled.

Ryanair – flights can be moved but you may be charged a fee

Ryanair hasn’t said if it’s cancelling any of its flights to Croatia, but it is still running some sort of schedule.

The airline was still selling tickets to Pula, Rijeka and Zadar when HOAR checked online this morning.

If you no longer wish you travel, Ryanair is allowing passengers to change flights – although you might be charged a change fee to do so.

You can change your flight for free if you made a booking after June 10, 2020 for travel in July 2020 and August 2020.

Trips made after July 16, 2020 for September 2020 can also be changed free of charge, unless the changes are made within seven days of departure.

All other bookings are subject to a change fee, and in both scenarios you’ll have to pay any difference in flight cost.

Vouchers and cash refunds are not being offered.

In better news for travellers, Portugal has been removed from the coronavirus quarantine list.

However, flight prices to Portugal have rocketed by 500% with some return tickets costing over £1,000.

Got a trip to France booked? HOAR has rounded up your refund rights if you no longer want to travel.