FLIGHTS between Teesside Airport and Spain due to have begun in the summer have been cancelled in another blow for the region's holidaymakers.

Teesside International Airport confirmed on Thursday night that six flights scheduled to fly to Alicante from  August 14 to September 7 have been suspended due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

A joint statement issued on behalf of the airport and Eastern Airways said: “We are very disappointed to announce that this year’s Alicante summer service will be cancelled due to the ongoing impact the coronavirus is having on the airline and holiday industry and the introduction of a quarantine for those travellers returning from Spain.

"We have listened to the feedback from customers and their wellbeing and safety is always our number one priority. To ensure this we will always follow Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice.

“All customers will be contacted and a full refund will be offered. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding during this challenging time for us all and we are currently working on an expanded Mediterranean service for summer 2021."

The route was announced by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Eastern Airways’ Managing Director Tony Burgess at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, in February.

Fares starting at £69.99 per person one way went on sale on July 15. The flights, the first linking Teesside Airport to Spain were due to have flown out on August 14, 21, 28 and 31 and on September 4 and 7.

 UK Government ministers announced at the weekend that holidaymakers returning from Spain would have to go into quarantine for 14 days.

It follows second wave fears saw Spain struck off the UK's safe list, after a spike in coronavirus cases.

Health minister Matt Hancock said Britain is working on possible ways to shorten the quarantine period imposed on people coming from Spain, but will not be changing the guidelines in the next few days.