THE North-East travel agent Hays Travel has reported a massive surge in searches for holidays to the Canary Islands after it was removed from the quarantine list.

The Sunderland-based firm, which has branches across the UK and the region, reported a massive 754 per cent in searches for holidays to the island in 24 hours.

It said that between October 21 and October 22, it saw a huge spike from customers searching for holidays to Tenerife using its Canary Islands section.

It said that areas such as Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje and Playa De Las Americas contributed to the surge in searches.

It comes as the Canary Islands were removed from the quarantine list meaning holidaymakers do not need to self-isolate upon arrival back into the UK.

Today Jet2 and Jet2 Holidays announced the return of flights from Newcastle Airport to the Canaries with services beginning from next week.

READ MORE: Jet2 reveals when flights between Newcastle and the Canary Islands will restart

It said flights to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura will resume from October 31 with a number of new dates added.

Steve Heapy, Chief Executive Officer of Jet2 and Jet2 Holidays CEO, said: “We welcome today’s announcement and we know that our customers, who want to get flying again from Newcastle Airport, will do so too.

"For some time we have been calling for a proportionate, evidence-based approach to safe travel and this is very much a step in the right direction. There is much to do still, and we look forward to working with government to achieve that.”

“The Canary Islands are hugely important, both for us as a business and for our customers as a much-loved holiday favourite.

"We know how much our customers want to get away for some winter sun in the Canaries, and they can do this again from October 31st onwards.

"As the UK’s leading operator to the Canary Islands, we will be restarting with a programme that offers customers in the region fantastic choice and flexibility, as well as all the award-winning benefits that they know and love.”

Hays Travel said that it had seen a 53 per cent in traffic over the 24 hour period after it emerged that the Canaries had been removed from the quarantine list.