AS the nights draw in and the days become colder, sunny warm days seem like a distant memory – so there couldn’t be a better time to book a winter sun holiday.
And the good news is that it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.
The most affordable winter sun destinations from each UK airport have been revealedCredit: Alamy
New research by TravelSupermarket has revealed the most affordable winter sun destinations from the UK’s biggest airports.
Comparing prices for a week in the sun between November and February 2027, results found that some airports cost twice as much as others – so if you live near two airports, one might be cheaper to fly from than the other.
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Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket, said: “Where you fly from makes a huge difference to the cost of winter sun this year – even neighbouring airports can vary wildly as Agadir averages £598 per person from Edinburgh but £784 from Glasgow, a difference of £186 for the same destination.”
Here’s a full run- down of the best deals at each of the UK’s major airports:
If heading out of London, Sousse on Tunisia’s Mediterranean coast came out on top as the most affordable winter sun spot.
A seven-night holiday in Sousse costs from £380 per person, which also makes it the cheapest winter sun deal across all UK airports researched.
Hammamet, also in Tunisia, followed behind with a week away cost from £436 per person.
Agadir in Morocco then rounded out the top three, costing on average £606 per person.
Manchester Airport
If you want to fly out of Manchester Airport, Sousse in Tunisia once again came out on top as the most affordable winter sun destination.
A week away costs on average £399 per person.
And again, Hammamet followed with the average price per person spending seven days there costing £513 per person.
Agadir in Morocco again came third, costing an average of £644 per person.
Spots include Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, SpainCredit: GettyAnd Hammamet on the Mediterranean coast in TunisiaCredit: Getty
Bristol Airport
In the south of the country, travellers flying from Bristol Airport will get the most affordable winter sun break in Hammamet, Tunisia.
A week’s holiday in the winter sun spot costs on average £413 per person – just £33 more than the cheapest deal from London (which is less than the train fare to London).
And rounding out the top three was Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, costing an average of £814 per person for seven nights away.
Edinburgh Airport
If you are located near the Scottish capital, you should book to go to Agadir in Morocco, with a week away costing on average £598 per person.
Morocco also took the second most affordable spot at Edinburgh Airport, with Marrakesh, where a week away will set you back £749 per person, on average.
Fuerteventura, Canary Islands then rounded out the top three costing on average of £814 per person.
Birmingham Airport
For Birmingham Airport, Agadir in Morocco is the most affordable option costing on average of £661 per person for seven nights.
This is followed by Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, costing on average £811 per person for a week away.
And then another Canary Islands destination rounded out the top three – Lanzarote – averaging at £933 per person for seven nights away.
Several airports have affordable breaks to Agadir in MoroccoCredit: Alamy
East Midlands Airport
East Midlands Airport passengers should head to Agadir as well, with a week away costing on average £734 per person.
Agadir is followed by Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, costing on average of £898 per person.
Lanzarote followed in third costing on average of £942 per person for seven nights.
Belfast Airport
Over in Belfast, Egypt is the most affordable spot to travel to, with a seven-night holiday costing an average of £754 per person.
Fuerteventura once again followed, costing an average of £794 per person for a week away.
And then Lanzarote rounded out the top three, costing on average £936 per person for a week away.
Leeds Airport
If you are based near Leeds, Agadir was found to be the most affordable spot with a week’s holiday averaging £778 per person.
Fuerteventura came in second costing on average £842 per person for seven nights away.
And a second Canary Islands spot rounded the top three – Lanzarote – costing on average of £965 per person.
Glasgow Airport
Back in Scotland, if you are based near Glasgow your best bet for an affordable winter break in the sun is also Agadir in Morocco, costing on average of £784 per person for seven nights.
Marrakesh in Morocco followed in second place, costing £846 per person, on average, for a week away.
Canary Islands spot Fuerteventura then came in third, costing £857 per person on average for a week away.
Also in Morocco, you could go to Marrakech for a good price from some UK airportsCredit: GettyA number of airports have affordable holidays to Lanzarote – another Canary Islands spotCredit: Getty
Newcastle Airport
From Newcastle, you should travel to Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, costing on average £827 per person for a week.
Egypt then came in second costing an average of £928 per person.
And rounding out the top three was another Canary Islands spot, Lanzarote, costing on average £938 per person for a week away.
Liverpool Airport
And finally in Liverpool, Fuerteventura came out on top with a week’s holiday in the winter sun spot costing on average £840 per person.
Egypt came in second, costing just £7 more at £847 per person, on average for a week away.
And Lanzarote came in third costing on average of £899 per person, for a week away.
ONE UK airport which closed in 2022 is taking another step closer to welcoming passengers back.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed after becoming “commercially unviable” and has been left empty since, but it has now announced it’s set to come under public ownership.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport is set to reopen to passengers in 2028Credit: AlamyNow, it’s been announced that the airport will come under public ownershipCredit: Alamy
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard called the deal a “major milestone” towards reopening the airport.
According to reports, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will buy the airport becoming the freehold owner and landlord to the City of Doncaster Council lease.
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Oliver Coppard said that the airport being bought by SYMCA would also “provide long-term control, certainty and flexibility” and attract private investment too.
Before it closed, the regional airport acted as a gateway to Europe for those living in the north of England.
It had airlines like TUI and Wizz Air and flew to the likes of Spain and Portugal.
When it reopens, it’s possible certain routes could be reinstated, as well as longer ones too.
The airport is home to one of the longest runways in Europe, measuring 2,893 metres, which means it could host big jets for long-haul journeys.
As of yet, no airlines have been confirmed for when the airport reopens.
Designs for the revamped terminal have been revealedCredit: City Of Doncaster / Mayor Ros Jones
Christian Foster, Director of FlyDoncaster – the company set up to manage the airport – told Sun Travel: “It does feel like the world has changed post-Covid, whereas people were focused on two weeks in Spain or Greece, nowadays we’re seeing a lot of people keen to take city breaks.”
“We’d love to fly to places like Croatia, and other destinations that are a bit more quirky like Azerbaijan.
“We’re keen to look at emerging places to visit as well, like India.“
Another plan for the airport is that when it opens, it will have local businesses rather than chains like Costa or Starbucks.
There would be a mixture of restaurants, bars and shops as well as seating.
So to get to the island, tourists including Brits, need to fly to Athens or Thessaloniki before taking a smaller connecting plane over to the island.
However, this is set to change as work on the runway will see it extended to be 1,799m long which means that it will be able to accommodate much larger types of aircraft.
During the works, emergency flights will be permitted to land, which includes medical evacuations, search and rescue.
However, there is some opposition to the plans.
The runway will be extended to accommodate larger aircraftCredit: AlamyCurrently the airport can only accommodate smaller aircraftCredit: Unknown
President of the Chios chamber of commerce Pantelis Legatos said: “The early closure will seriously affect the economy and society of the island, especially during the holiday season (Christmas, New Year), when people have planned trips, family visits and medical appointments.
“Chios, as a border island 5 miles from Turkey, depends on the air connection with the capital for health, entertainment and freedom reasons.”
The original plan was to close the airport on January 15 which is months later than the current schedule.
The work will take four months and see the airport shut over the festive period with local authorities and business owners urging the for the dates of the work to be changed
Chios Airport will be shut for four months for the upgrade
A Greek airport will close for four months as major runway upgrades are completed.
Chios Island National Airport in Greece will close between November 15, 2026 and March 15, 2027 for the work to take place.
The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority say the project will extend the runway to 1,799 metres to accommodate larger aircraft ahead of the 2027 tourist season.
The work will see all commercial flights canceled. Emergency operations, including medical evacuations and search and rescue flights, however, will continue using helicopters operating from the parking apron.
As well as extending the runway to the north, the upgrades will also see an overall improvement of the airport’s operational infrastructure.
Originally the work was expected to take five months but it is now scheduled to only take four.
The plans have been strongly objected to by local authorities and business leaders, who see the winter closure as ‘economic strangulation’ for the small island.
They have come up with an alternative timeline that allows the airport to remain open during the Christmas and New Year Holiday.
The mayor of Chios, Giannis Malafis, said it was crucial the island’s airport remained open during the festive period.
He insisted that any decision on the future of the project should be taken in consultation with local bodies and Chios society.
Island representatives are still seeking clear answers on the duration of the shutdown and how this is expected to impact the local economy.
The contractor has pledged to make every effort to speed up the works, with the aim of getting the project done by 28 February.
However, this does not make any difference to the holiday season that is creating concerns for locals.
The HCAA notes that its goal is to limit the runway closure to the shortest possible period.
Attack comes as Yemeni gov’t forces claim advances in Marib province and say they ‘neutralised’ 430 Houthi fighters in 24 hours.
Yemen’s internationally recognised government says the Houthis have launched missiles at the airport in Aden, a day after carrying out a deadly attack targeting the presidential palace in the port city.
Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said two missiles landed near the runway at Aden International Airport on Friday, 500 metres (1,640 feet) from an aircraft that was preparing to take off.
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All passengers and crew were safe, he said on X, thanking “divine providence” for preventing a potential “horrific humanitarian catastrophe” and calling the attacks on the airport “a grave violation of international laws and norms”.
The Houthis, in a statement attributed to a military source, said on Friday that they launched an attack on “the Saudi forces’ command headquarters in the Badr camp in Aden province” as well as a weapons depot, the AFP news agency reported.
The latest attack in Aden, which is the seat of the internationally recognised government, comes amid continued heavy fighting in Yemen’s reignited civil war between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-aligned Houthis.
Yemeni government forces said earlier on Friday that troops had advanced in Marib province northeast of Sanaa.
Military spokesman Majed al-Nazili said Yemeni government forces, with air support, had made significant “territorial gains” in the eastern part of the province, securing “key positions”.
He also said Yemeni forces had “neutralised” more than 430 Houthi fighters in 24 hours, while destroying or disabling more than 100 of their vehicles and military assets.
Elsewhere, in Taiz governorate, which has emerged as a key battlefront in the war, Yemeni government forces claimed to have fended off several “large-scale” Houthi attacks, inflicting “heavy losses” on the group.
Yemeni government forces also claimed to have captured a specialised drone team affiliated with the Houthis in the Taiz area.
In recent weeks, Houthi forces have encircled the city of Taiz — Yemen’s third largest urban centre — by cutting its main road south to Aden, causing widespread displacement and worsening a humanitarian crisis.
Missiles over Riyadh
Elsewhere on Friday, the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said it had downed missiles and drones over Riyadh and other parts of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of encouraging Houthi attacks against the kingdom, including by arming and training the group.
But Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday rejected the accusation, saying Tehran had not played a role in any Houthi operations. The ministry also reiterated a proposal to mediate between the Houthis and Riyadh.
The war in Yemen erupted in 2014 when the Houthis, an armed group also known as Ansar Allah (Arabic for Supporters of God), seized the capital, Sanaa, and forced the government to flee.
An international military coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened in support of the internationally recognised government in 2015, leading to years of fighting between the warring sides.
A 2022 UN-backed truce halted most fighting, but tensions have been high in Yemen since the Houthis declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabian ports and shipping passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in July.
In September, the Houthis carried out a lightning ground offensive on Mocha, pushing back forces loyal to Yemen’s government from the Red Sea port city.
The same month, the group’s forces again swept through and seized territory along the western coast and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, including the strategically located Mayyun Island in the strait.
ANYONE planning to get to London Heathrow this weekend should check travel options before heading to the airport.
Major engineering works will see one tube line partly close and two other services to the terminals will be scaled back.
Anyone heading to Heathrow on the train or tube could run into problems this weekendCredit: GettyOn both days there will be no service to London Heathrow on the Piccadilly LineCredit: Getty – Contributor
On both Saturday and Sunday, the Piccadilly Line will have no service between Hammersmith and London Heathrow terminals.
There will also be no Night Tube service on October 16 – normal service is expected to resume on October 19.
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Travel to or from Heathrow Airport on the Elizabeth Line will also experience issues.
Services on Saturday will run as usual, but on Sunday, there will be a reduced service between Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 4.
BRITS will get more choice of where to go on holiday next year as TUI has announced eight new routes.
These will take-off from London Gatwick to destinations from sunny Spanish cities to North African islands.
TUI is adding eight new routes from London Gatwick for summer 2027Credit: AlamyOne of these routes is to the popular winter sun city of SevilleCredit: arcady_31
For summer 2027, TUI is adding eight new routes which will contribute to its 17 million seats and 84,000 flights planned for next year.
There will be three new routes to Spain, one of which will be to Seville which is popular for winter sun thanks to its year-round sunshine.
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Even in the winter, Seville can experience highs of 18C.
The city has plenty to see like Royal Alcázar of Seville, Seville Cathedral and Plaza de España which is a cobbled square with four bridges over its small river.
In Greece, one of the new routes is to the Greek city of AthensCredit: Getty
He added: “I climbed Mars Hill to catch the sunset over the city — an experience that’s usually a shoulder-to-shoulder fight in July, but in winter felt like my own private viewing platform.
Another of TUI’s new routes is to Mytilene (Lesvos) which is on the Greek island of Lesbos.
In the city, visitors can explore Mytilene Castle, stroll around Ermou Street Market and enjoy seafood at the tavernas along the waterfront.
It even has its own Statue of Liberty in the harbour.
One of the three Spanish routes is to ValenciaCredit: GettyThe island of Lesvos has bright blue Mediterranean watersCredit: Getty
TUI will also fly to Palermo, the capital of the Italian island of Sicily.
It sits on the northern coast of the country with both sandy and rocky beaches like Mondello Beach and Addaura.
One free attraction is San Domenico Square which is the entrance to La Vucciria a market selling things like food, jewellery and souvenirs.
TUI is also offering a direct route to Tangier in Morocco which sits along the Strait of Gibraltar.
The city itself has plenty to see including its medina, busy souks, and landmarks like the Kasbah and the Caves of Hercules.
The city itself has a blend of cultures; African, French and Spanish.
It has a vibrant café culture thanks to its French influence, tapas culture from Spain.
In the summertime, Tangier sits at around 30C so it’s warm, but still mild enough to explore.
Tangier in Morocco boasts souks and the Cave of HerculesCredit: DoraDaltonDjerba is off the coast of Tunisia and is hot all year-roundCredit: BTWImages
Another route is to Djerba, a large island off Tunisia’s southeastern coast.
It has sandy beaches and for any Star Wars fans, it was the filming location for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope – and there are regular tours too.
Head of Sun Travel, Lisa Minot, visited Djerba last year, she said: “Relatively undiscovered by us Brits, Djerba is a great-value option for those looking to explore beyond the Med favourites.
“Sizzling in summer, temperatures remain high all the way through to November and rarely dip below the 20Cs, even in the depths of winter, making it ideal for out-of-season sunshine.”
Ryanair services daily direct flights on the route for just £15 but from April next year, layovers will now be required for those wanting to fly to fly from the UK to this city
Ryanair plans to cut all flights to a European airport next year(Image: Getty Images/Stock Image)
Ryanair plans to cut all flights to a European airport next year. From April 2027, Europe’s biggest budget airline will no longer fly to Bremen in Germany.
This will axe around 500,000 seats. At present, Ryanair services daily flights on the route from London Stansted to Bremen for just £15. The airline’s website appears to have tickets for the final flights to Bremen scheduled for March 27, 2027.
Ryanair previously announced it would be cancelling 24 routes to and from Germany, cutting 800,000 seats in total. Nine airports will be affected by the decision, affecting major cities and popular with tourist spots:
Berlin
Hamburg
Memmingen
Baden-Württemberg
Cologne
Frankfurt-Hahn
Dortmund
Dresden
Leipzig
Earlier this year Ryanair said it will be reducing its flight schedule to and from Berlin by 50 per cent.
CEO Eddie Wilson subsequently said that Germany’s aviation market is “broken”. He also said it “needs an urgent fix.”
“As a result of these high government taxes/fees (the highest in Europe), and Lufthansa’s high-fare monopoly, German citizens/visitors now pay the highest air fares in Europe,” Mr Wilson said.
