THE holiday operator and airline Jet2 has announced the cancellation of services across the UK until the end of March - including those in the North-East.

In an announcement, Jet2 thanked customers for their patience and understanding as it cancels bookings as a result of the "ongoing uncertainty and travel restrictions".

People living in the UK are banned from leisure travel due to coronavirus restrictions, while travellers arriving in England will need to test negative for the virus from Friday.

Jet2 customers will be automatically issued a refund. 

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays Statement: “Due to the ongoing uncertainty and travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we have taken the decision to extend the suspension of flights and holidays up to and including March 25, 2021.

“Where customers yet to travel are affected by any programme changes, our approach to providing smooth and speedy refunds has been widely praised, and we will be automatically cancelling affected bookings with a full refund.

"Since the onset of the pandemic, we have always respected that customers should receive their money back if we have not provided their flight or holiday."

The low-cast airline operates routes to Spain, Poland and Iceland from Newcastle Airport.

Adding the firm has seen a lot of demand, the statement continued: "Our customers work hard and save hard for their holidays, and we are very excited to take them away on holiday again. For customers due to travel from 26th March onwards, we will provide further updates closer to the time as appropriate.

“We would like to thank our valued customers for their patience and understanding.”