THE low-cost carrier, Ryanair has started to cancel some flights from Teesside Airport due to demand which bosses say has been caused by the pandemic.
Several flights to Alicante, Palma and Corfu have been removed from sale with some routes temporarily dropping from two flights to just one per week.
Teesside Airport has since attributed the cancellations to "ongoing uncertainty" around international travel, while Ryanair has been approached for comment.
Read more: First Ryanair flight from Teesside Airport to Portugal in 13 years
The Northern Echo understands that the planned launch of Ryanair flights to Corfu in Greece has also been postponed, with those flights "paused" for two weeks.
It comes as more countries were last week added to the UK green list, but the majority of destinations served by Ryanair from Teesside currently remain on the amber list.
It means those returning from the likes of Alicante and Corfu must self-isolate upon their return for ten days or face huge penalties.
According to Ryanair's website, flights to Alicante on July 5 and 12, flights to Palma on July 6 and 13, and flights to Corfu on July 7 and July 14, will no longer operate.
Read more: Teesside Airport SLAMMED after scrapping three hours free parking
A spokesperson for Teesside Airport said: “Due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding international travel and the recent delay to lockdown easing, Ryanair has taken the decision to pause one flight on two routes – just six in total – and push back the launch of its Corfu route between the 1-15 July."
Originally due to take off in the first week of July, the first Ryanair flight to Corfu will no longer depart until July 21, at the earliest.
The airport spokesperson said customers affected by the cancellations would be offered a full refund and that they should contact the airline direct for more information.
They said: “We realise this will be disappointing, however operating during a pandemic was always going to be challenging and we have to be ready to react to the latest Government guidance.
"Any passengers affected by the change will be offered a full refund and should contact Ryanair customer support for further details.
Read more: Ryanair plane to Alicante forced to turn back at Teesside Airport due to 'operational issues'
"As we enter the summer holidays, we are hoping for a more stable schedule as the vaccine roll out expands and restrictions ease.”
The airport's handling agent this week apologised after a Ryanair flight to Alicante was left delayed due to "operational issues."
On Monday evening, the flight was forced to return to the gate after reaching the runway after it emerged a bag had not been loaded.
The flight, which had been originally due to leave at 6.30pm, departed at 8.30pm due to the issue.
At the time, a spokesperson for Teesside Airport said: “Our ground handling agent, experienced an operational issue which delayed the flight to Alicante on Monday.
"We have raised this issue with the agent and they are very sorry for the short delay that passengers experienced.”
The Northern Echo approached Ryanair for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
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