Sun-starved Britons are jetting off to Spain today after the country reopened its borders to UK tourists without requiring a negative COVID-19 test. The first flight from Stansted Airport to Alicante, serving Benidorm, departed at 6:35am, with passengers eager for reunions and holidays.
Elizabeth Chapman, 61, from Cambridge, is heading to Benidorm to see her daughter and grandchildren. “It does feel emotional and I’m trying to hold it together – I can’t wait to see them all and give them a hug,” she said. She booked her trip on Friday after learning Spain was opening up.
For Carole Hutchison and Christopher Couper from Fife, the journey is urgent: they have fertility treatment booked in Alicante and must arrive by midday. After being unable to fly on Friday due to restrictions, they booked this flight when Spain announced its reopening. “It’s been incredibly stressful,” said Carole, 42.
Other travellers include Karen Flaun, 49, returning to her home in Murcia after being stuck in the UK since November, and Delia Watt, 82, with her husband Alexander, 83, heading to their holiday home in Xativa. Luke Stevens, 29, and Elesha Bacon, 27, are starting a new life in Pinar de Campoverde with their children.
