OTA ceases operations in Russia and Belarus

The firm revealed its decision, which it took on 28 February, in a trading update issued early on Monday morning (14 March). It said it was saddened by the tragic events that were continuing to unfold in Ukraine, and stood by all those who were suffering.

eDreams’s Russia business represented 0.03% of its bookings worldwide and 0.3% of its bookings in eastern Europe. It has closed its Russian website and app, removed all Russian and Belorussian airlines from its platform and banned all transactions made from these countries, as well as local payment methods.

To help travellers stranded in the region, it temporarily processed "limited number" of bookings with airlines still able to operate in the region before sanctions hit.

"The company now considers it has already provided the necessary assistance to the relevant affected travellers in the area and has, therefore, ceased all sales of travel into and out of Russia and Belarus by any route on any airline," said eDreams.

It stressed early year trading remained strong, with February bookings 31% ahead of pre-Covid levels, and March bookings (to 10 March) 39% up on pre-Covid levels.

Chief executive Dana Dunne said: “We stand with all those who are suffering. I am proud of how our business has responded to this conflict by doing what is right, and am moved by the exceptional response of all our team members who have been working tirelessly to help all those in need.”