airport

The airport is expected to welcome passenger flights again in 2028

A UK airport that shut down three-and-a-half years ago is set to reopen following the resolution of a funding dispute this week. Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) near Finningley in Doncaster was once a key regional flight hub known as Robin Hood Airport, operating from 2005 with flights to holiday destinations including Alicante, Majorca, Paris, and various other locations.

However, the airport was compelled to close in 2022 after its owners, Peel Group, declared it financially “unviable”. The closure left South Yorkshire without an international airport.

Yet, in September 2025, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) officially approved a £160million funding package based on previous commitments to reopen the airport as DSA in a significant boost for the region. Its resurrection followed campaigning by residents and local politicians, and received backing from the British Government.

Nevertheless, the scheme had been thrown into doubt in recent weeks during a deadlock over a £57million loan from Doncaster City Council to support the reopening plans, after Reform UK councillors expressed concerns about whether taxpayers would receive a return on investment.

The airport scheme was championed by the local authority’s Labour mayor, Ros Jones, who is believed to have been re-elected by a narrow margin largely owing to her commitment to delivering the potentially transformational scheme, despite a surge in support for Reform.

The structure of local Government in Doncaster means she retains executive authority as Mayor despite Reform securing a majority on the council at the last election, and now controlling the budget.

Nigel Farage’s party originally backed the airport scheme, but in April indicated they would contemplate voting to withdraw approval, as they requested additional details about how the funds would be allocated and benefit local people, reports the Express.

At the end of last month, Mr Farage attacked the terms of the lease agreement being negotiated with the current site owners, The Peel Group, arguing the council needed to secure the freehold to prevent it becoming a “massive drain” on taxpayers.

Ms Jones told the BBC News at the time: “Last week Reform said DSA should be privately funded and today they’re saying it should be acquired by the council or government, even if that means through a compulsory purchase order (CPO).

“It is important to remember we offered to buy the freehold back in 2022 and Peel refused, the offer of a lease effectively killed off any chance of a successful CPO.”

She added that a CPO application could take between five to seven years with minimal chance of succeeding. The standoff sparked concerns that the scheme would have to be scrapped, despite significant progress in attempts to prepare it for commercial air traffic once more.

However, at an extraordinary meeting of the council last week, Reform dropped its opposition to the loan on the condition that they are able to review copies of the new lease before it is approved, according to ITV News.

Ms Jones said she was “delighted to see Reform’s done the U-turn”, dismissing the threat from the hard-right party as a “political stunt”.

Freight services at the flight hub could get under way as early as next year, with passenger flights expected to launch in 2028, according to reports.

FlyDoncaster, a council-owned company established to reopen and run the airport, has teamed up with German operator Munich Airport International (MAI) on the venture.

In an update last month regarding preparatory work at the site, Christian Foster, Director of council-owned operator FlyDoncaster, said: “Over recent months we’ve been building the right team to take on this task. That has included individuals with experience at major airports such as Manchester, Gatwick and East Midlands, taking up roles like Head of Security, Head of Airfield Operations and Head of Health & Fire Safety.

“We’re also going through a critical Airspace Change Process, a regulatory hurdle that means we’ll have our own area of airspace around the airport to manage. This is critical to our plans.

“We’re due to hear the result of stages one and two imminently, and we’ll be asking the public for their views in the summer, with a view to being re-certified in spring 2027.”

He says preparations for reopening and welcoming passengers back have been well underway, which has involved acquiring “vital equipment such as a new radar and fire appliances, completely refurbishing the fire station and control tower, and making plans for renovating the terminal building”.

The terminal building is set for a “full makeover, giving passengers somewhere that feels really special at the start of their holidays”, alongside improvements to the site’s infrastructure “to make this one of the most accessible airports in the UK for those with a disability”.

On top of this, talks are ongoing with airlines and partner organisations.

Mr Foster says the airport is already equipped to handle hundreds of thousands of tonnes of freight, and is also in dialogue with firms at the forefront of aviation innovation – including sky taxis, vertiports, and alternative fuel technologies – about how these could be incorporated into the site.

SCORES of drivers face a new charge at a major Scottish airport as a price increase begins today.

New drop-off charges have been rolled out at Edinburgh Airport, Scotland‘s busiest air hub which was used by 17 million passengers last year.

It will now cost £8.50 for a ten-minute slot to either drop-off or pick someone up near the main terminal.

The fees have been hiked by £2.50 and were rolled out today.

Bosses have also scrapped a 50 per cent discount for people driving electric vehicles to the airport.

Instead, more spaces have been added to the free drop-off area – where motorists can park for free for 30 minutes.

The price hike has been blamed on a surge in business rates.

Airport chiefs claim they have been hit by a hit by a 142 per cent rise – an £8million increase – which was branded “simply unacceptable”.

Edinburgh Airport’s chief executive Gordon Dewar said: “This decision to impose an unplanned and wholly disproportionate £8million rates increase has an immediate and negative impact on our business.

“We made this clear in correspondence with the Lothians Assessor, who set the increase, and in discussions with the Scottish Government, which has endorsed it.

“A 142% increase reduces our ability to invest, grow and compete. In practical terms, it equates to funding around 200 jobs, two aircraft stands, or five new security lanes. It is not a cost that can be absorbed; it must be covered, and trade-offs like this are unfortunately unavoidable.

“Like many across the hospitality and tourism sectors who have seen business rates soar, we have no choice but to pass part of this cost on to passengers.

“We had not planned to raise fees this year, but the absence of a transitional relief scheme – equivalent to that available in England and Wales – leaves us with no alternative.

“We have always accepted that, given our size, we should pay more, but the scale of this increase is simply unacceptable.”

Bosses previously wrote to the Convenor of the Lothian Valuation Joint Board, which sets non-domestic rates, as well as the First Minister and the Public Finance Minister, to outline their concerns.

Mr Dewar added: “We have made clear to both the Assessor and the Scottish Government that a system which produces such markedly different outcomes for comparable assets operating within the same national economy cannot credibly be described as fair, proportionate or fit for a modern Scotland. This systemic inconsistency lies at the heart of our concern.”

It comes just months after Glasgow and Aberdeen airports – both owned by AGS – increased their drop off fees.

It costs £7 for people to park for up to 15 minutes at both of the sites.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The valuation of all non-domestic property is a matter for the Scottish Assessors who are independent of central and local government.
 
“The Scottish Government estimates Edinburgh Airport will, with Transitional Relief,  have a net non-domestic rates bill of around £8.1 million for 2026-27, compared to £5.4 million before revaluation.
 
“The Scottish Government’s Revaluation Transitional Relief protects those most affected at revaluation – including airports – and will cap increases in gross liabilities up to the next revaluation in 2029.”

When you go abroad, there are all sorts of travel rules people need to follow but a certain guideline is considered crucial. It’s vital to know if you want to avoid delays at airport security

All travellers have been urged to take note of a crucial airport rule, as ignoring it could lead to significant hold-ups at security. It’s well worth bearing in mind as the travel season is already well under way, with scores of Brits eager to head off on their holidays for some hard-earned sunshine and relaxation.

The rule was recently highlighted on TikTok by a travel agent named Jake, who regularly shares straight-talking tips online, and it’s something you may never have previously considered. It’s well worth familiarising yourself with this particular rule, as it could have a real impact on how long you end up waiting in the security queue.

It’s not the first travel tip of this nature to do the rounds recently, either. Previously, holidaymakers were warned to brace themselves for “hell” owing to mounting queues at a popular airport.

Jake said: “This is the number one reason for delays at airport security in the UK right now, and almost everyone has one in their bag. But, there’s one thing that’s catching everybody out.

“It’s these. Reusable, stainless steel water bottles because, while the 100ml rule has been scrapped, and for some airports you can take up to two litres of liquids with you, these still need to be emptied.

“That’s purely because the machines can’t check the liquid that’s in these bottles. So, if you do have one in your bag and it’s got liquid in, then you’re going to have your bag pulled aside.

“You’re going to have that embarrassing moment on the belt where you see your bag go down a different aisle. So, as you’re heading to security, make sure you empty these.

“The good news is though, if you do forget and you have your water bottle in there with liquid in, they’re not going to make you throw your expensive water bottle away. They’re just going to pour out the liquid that’s in there.

“So this is just going to cause further delays for you getting through duty-free and being able to relax before you get on your flight.”

It might seem like a straightforward tip, but it’s certainly one worth bearing in mind. Sticking to the rule could help you sidestep a major headache that’s easily avoidable.

What you need to know

What you might not realise is that you must fully empty your reusable water bottle before passing through airport security. While the 100ml liquid limit may not apply to the container itself, any liquid left inside is banned and could lead to your bottle being seized.

Even if your local airport permits larger liquid containers or doesn’t require you to remove electronics from your bag, metal or insulated bottles (such as Hydro Flasks or Yetis) typically need to be drained. The sophisticated scanners are unable to “see” through double-wall insulation, so it pays to stay one step ahead.

As Jake highlighted, certain airports now permit passengers to carry containers holding up to two litres of liquid in their hand luggage. However, this is entirely dependent on the specific airport you’re departing from, as it requires state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology.

For this reason, it’s always wise to check the regulations for your particular airport ahead of your journey. At major hubs including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham and Edinburgh, you’re allowed to take containers holding up to two litres each.

That said, this rule only applies at select airports. If you’re in any doubt, always confirm with your airport before you travel.

A MAJOR UK airport is hoping to welcome larger jets to its airport for the first time ever and could rival some of the biggest airports in the country.

London City Airport currently welcomes 3.7million passengers a year, mainly operating short flights to Europe such as Amsterdam, Madrid, Florence, Berlin and Frankfurt.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and TikTok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

But it is hoping to fly to new destinations like the Balearics and more southern Greek islands.

It is currently unable to offer too many long-haul routes – even as far as southern Spain and Greece – thanks to its short runway, leaving Londoners departing from the likes of Gatwick or Heathrow instead.

However, it is now planning on welcoming bigger aircraft and adding services to far-flung destinations in Europe.

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Andy Cliffe, the airport’s new boss, told The Telegraph: “We’re having conversations with everybody at the moment and with all kinds of airlines, from BA right the way through to low-cost carriers.”

He added: “We’ll see a huge increase in range. At the moment we get to parts of Spain and the Balearics.

“We’ll start to hit further reaches of southern Spain and towards the Greek islands.”

The airport at London City is 1,500 metres long, which is much shorter than those at other major hubs which are around 3,000 metres.

While the runway at London City cannot be extended, it hopes to install emergency traps at either end.

These are designed to stop planes – especially the larger aircraft which London City hopes to use – from overshooting and will allow them to land safely.

Nothing has been decided yet as the proposals will be looked at by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

It is hoped this change means airlines like easyJet will bring bigger aircraft to the hub.

Other airlines like British Airways which already serves the airport, could bring in larger jets too.

London City does offer a few destinations to islands in Greece already, like Thessaloniki and Skiathos, and Ibiza and Palma but larger planes will allow more destinations and some further afield.

TRAINS will run through the night to one of the UK’s busiest airports from today.

Commuters will be able to catch eight new timetabled services that offer more reliable journeys.

All-night rail services between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport will run from today, in a major new boost to the city’s nighttime economy.

TransPennine Express has scheduled trains to run hourly through the night, every day of the week, with eight new overnight services included.

Greater Manchester residents have shared their excitement, with one saying it is “good to see these services reinstated after all these years,” and others calling it “unbelievable.”

The new schedule hopes to improve airport access, as well as offering better commuting services for hospitality workers and passengers travelling in the early hours of the morning.

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Trains from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport are generally faster than driving, with the journey taking between 15 and 20 minutes, and a drive taking up to 30 minutes.

This schedule adds to the already simplified train travel system in Manchester, which only sells anytime or off-peak tickets, making services more affordable.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “We’re proud of our thriving night-time economy, and we’re looking to back it with transport that matches how people live and work.

“These all-night trains will help people get to where they need to be – whether that’s catching an early flight, getting home after a late shift, or travelling into town to enjoy everything our night-time economy has to offer.

Nicola Buckley, people director at TransPennine Express, echoed Burnham:  “These all‑night services are about supporting the people and businesses that keep Greater Manchester going 24 hours a day.

“By improving overnight connections to Manchester Airport, we’re making rail a more practical option for workers and passengers alike, while helping to strengthen the region’s night‑time economy.”

Although it seems non-optional, passengers always have a choice to go with an alternative

Passing through security is an essential part of travelling through an airport. However, passengers always have the right to decline certain types of searches.

Usually, after checking in for a flight, travellers go through the airport and must pass through security before entering the main terminal and boarding any aircraft. The procedure can be time-consuming, particularly during busy summer holidays, but it typically involves sending hand luggage through a scanner and passing through a security checkpoint yourself.

However, under UK Department for Transport (DfT) regulations, you always have the right to decline a body scan. You don’t actually need to provide a valid legal or medical reason for refusing this and can simply state that you prefer not to go through the scanner for personal reasons.

Some travellers decline to be scanned if they have medical equipment, such as a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). You can also request a manual search of hearing aids, reports the Express.

Regarding medical supplies in hand luggage, the GOV.UK website states: “You should bring a letter from your doctor stating why they should not be scanned. However, it is up to the airport to decide if they need to be scanned or not.”

Pregnant mothers who may feel uneasy about being scanned are assured by the UK government that scanners (which use non-ionising millimetre-wave technology, not X-rays) are safe. However, this doesn’t mean you can bypass security checks entirely, as passengers will still be required to go through an alternative screening procedure.

If you decline for non-medical reasons, the rules require passengers to undergo an enhanced manual search in private. This means being escorted to a separate room away from the main security queue for a procedure that some describe as more thorough than a routine pat-down.

At least two security officers will be present, and it may require loosening or taking off certain items of clothing to confirm that nothing is hidden. The procedure can also add 20 to 45 minutes to your time at security, depending on how many staff are available, so factor in potential flight delays and make sure there’s enough time to get to the gate before your plane leaves.

What do airport scans show? How long are they kept for?

The GOV.UK website states that adults and children can be asked to have a body scan. It said: “You’ll have the scan in the security area, with a member of airport staff present. It will take just a few seconds.

“Your image will show if you have a colostomy, implant or prosthesis. Security staff have been trained to handle sensitive issues around surgery and treat passengers respectfully.

“After the scan, only you and a security officer will see a mannequin-style diagram on a small screen. No bodily features or skin will be seen. Your scan will be permanently deleted after it’s been assessed by a security officer.”

You can ask for a security officer of the same sex to analyse the screen for your scan. They will not be able to identify you from the scanned image and you will not meet the security officer.

A statement on GOV.UK reads: “If you’re wearing headgear for religious or cultural reasons, you can ask for it to be checked using a hand-held scanner so you do not have to remove it.”

Hundreds of passengers were left stuck at major UK airports as airlines included British Airways cancelled departing flights alongside hundreds of other delays

Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded at major UK airports after several flights have been cancelled.

British Airways were one of many airlines who cancelled flights on Friday, May 15, leaving travelers stuck at several airports across the nation.

The significant wave of disruption saw a total of 465 flight delays and 25 cancellations on the one day.

Flights from British Airways, American Airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines were among those impacted.

London Heathrow was the most significantly impacted, with 233 flights delayed.

A total of 22 flights were also cancelled from the busy travel hub, with 17 of these being British Airways flights.

At Gatwick, cancellations were kept to a minimum with only one British Airways journey called off.

Despite this, 142 flights from the London airport departed later than scheduled.

In Scotland another British Airways flight did not go ahead, with a further 58 delays logged from Edinburgh airport.

Glasgow also saw a cancellation from British Airways.

The disturbance comes as the travel industry is suffering at the hands of the Middle East conflict due to hiking fuel costs as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.

Data shows that airlines have dramatically ramped up flight cancellations for May as jet fuel costs continue to soar.

In total, Cirium recorded 296 departures from UK airports scrapped this month as of Tuesday; a sharp rise from 120 cancellations just six days earlier.

Last week, British Airways’ parent company IAG warned its profits will be hit as it expects to spend about two billion euro (£1.72 billion) more than planned on fuel this year.

Chief executive Luis Gallego said IAG does not believe there will be “any interruption for the summer” in terms of jet fuel supplies.

A MAIN road into a major UK airport is set to shut over the half term – and could spark getaway chaos for thousands of Brits heading on holiday.

The works will take up to 11 days to complete.

An overnight road closure will block a main access route into Leeds Bradford Airport, with works starting next Monday (May 18).

From 7pm to 6am, the route between the Pool Bank and Dyneley Arms junction and Leeds Bradford Airport will be shut, with works set to last until Friday, May 29.

The airport notified travellers of the disruption via social media, and said a sign-posted diversion route will be in place, operating via the A660.

It added that those travelling from North Yorkshire, the North East, and Wetherby may find their journey times up to 30 minutes longer than usual.

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The airport also suggested to factor in additional time when travelling to or from the area, as disruption is to be expected.

Online, travellers reacted with disbelief and frustration over the schedule of the closures.

One said: “Staggering timing as the Friday and the overnight on Saturday is the first day of half term so lots of families will be travelling.”

Others complained that the works in place last week had caused “horrendous” traffic, where “there was no way to get through”.

Leeds Bradford Airport welcomes more than four million passengers a year, with flights from airlines like Jet2, Ryanair, and easyJet.

Last year, it opened a new multi-million pound terminal and aims to serve seven million travellers annually by 2030.

WAITING times in airports have increased since the introduction of EES – but one destinations has had travellers queueing for up to six hours.

Portugal is a beautiful country for a family break, but the lengthy queues mean that some are spending longer lining up in the airport than they do on the plane.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

EES delays and travel chaos have dominated the news, and some airports in Portugal in particular have passengers waiting in very long queues.

One travel blogger posted on Instagram: “Last week a family I advised landed in Lisbon and stood in line for 6 hours and 40 minutes. Their toddler slept on a suitcase. They missed their transfer to the Algarve.

“EES (the EU’s new biometric entry system) is now live. Faro processes 7x more summer traffic than its capacity. Luggage handlers are striking April through June. And the airport you choose to land in will define your first 24 hours in Portugal.”

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The flight time between the UK and Lisbon is up to three hours, so some British travellers are standing in the airport for longer than they’re on the plane.

Queues through Lisbon Airport have been causing frustration amongst many travellers.

One Brit wrote just yesterday on X: “Warning if you are flying to Portugal any time now, actually spent longer queuing than the actual flight, was a shambles with half the machines not working, and further queues to passport control.”

Another said leaving Lisbon Airport was the “one of the worst passport control experiences” with hours of waiting.

The EU’s EES (entry/ exit) system has increased the queuing time for inward and outward passengers by four and even five times as much, according to The Resident.

It’s not just Lisbon either; Faro Airport in the south is experiencing lengthy delays too with some saying that they’ve queued from the terminal to airside.

One big reason for the delays that Lisbon and Faro airports suffer from is caused by what’s called ‘bottlenecking’.

Essentially it’s airport congestion from when lots of flights land at the same time, or delays cause lots of passengers to be in one place at the same time.

They occur mostly at security checkpoints, passport control, boarding gates, and baggage handling areas resulting in lengthy queues.

One of our own Travel Reporters experienced the situation herself in Lanzarote when multiple flights landing at the same time ended up in a three-hour queue through the airport.

The queues have been getting so bad that airlines like Ryanair have even called for EES to be suspended until September – after the peak summer travel period.

While you can’t avoid EES queues, there are ways to make them less uncomfortable.

Make sure to check out our tips from where to sit on the plane to the best time to take a flight.

LEE Andrews has made a change to his social media platforms after leaving his wife Katie Price furious by failing to come over to the UK.

The self-proclaimed millionaire has said he will be flying over any day now but has not kept his word.

Now Lee has turned off all the comments sections on his recent social media posts so he can’t receive messages from fans.

Lee failed to arrive in the UK in time to accompany Katie on Good Morning Britain, but praised her online for doing such a “fantastic” job on her own.

Katie then reposted the video online, insisting to fans that her man was indeed still on the way.

However, the former model and TV personality now seems to be questioning herself and whether what Lee has been saying is true.

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Speaking on her podcast The Katie Price show, she said: “I’ve said to him, he needs to make it to the UK, because if he doesn’t, then it’s obviously something not right going on.”

She then admitted to confronting Lee over the situation, and said: “It’s the fact you keep saying you’re coming and then don’t come.

“Of course, everyone is going to flag up. Even I’ve flagged it up to him.

“Big time I’ve flagged it up now. I said, ‘Don’t do that to me again. Me having to go on live TV without you and make me look stupid and a d***.

“No wonder everyone’s saying, ‘You’re this, you’re that’, because they’ve got a reason to say it. I agree with everyone.”

Lee’s ex Alana Percival has also claimed that he made up excuses for “missing” his flights while they were dating.

They were in a relationship for nine months until late last year, with Lee even proposing to her in a identical proposal to the one he did for Katie.

Taking to her Instagram stories, she expressed: “Another time he ‘pretended’ to be coming to the UK to come and see me.

“Wearing his cap so facial recognition doesn’t get him hahaha lies lies and more lies… delusional is a understatement.

“This excuse was one of soooooo many but a ‘flight risk’ if this one. He went all the way to the airport to lie when he cannot travel lol.”

HIDDEN airline fees are getting so ridiculous, passengers are now just ditching their luggage entirely.

Airlines – although budget ones in particular – now charge as much as £70 for cabins bags that are oversized.

One dad told Seattle Times how he was charged $35 for his extra luggage fee, while his son opted for throwing all of his food away to avoid the costs.

Another frequent traveller told them: “Sometimes, I’ve abandoned so many clothes that I no longer need a checked bag.”

It’s become so bad in some places like Japan that they have introduced signs saying: “Abandon your luggage and you will be charged.”

Others on Reddit say some tourists visiting cold countries leave all the heavy ski and thermal gear at their hotels to avoid having to pack it on their flight.

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But, like most normal people, the idea of leaving behind our best holiday clothes and fanciest toiletries is a no-go.

So, as someone who never checks in a bag but has never been charged, here are some of my top tips to keeping your bag underweight.

Invest in a good luggage weigher

Before you even get to the airport, a luggage weigher can make sure you don’t break the rules of the weight restrictions.

Here’s one currently on 36 per cent discount.

Wear your heaviest shoes

You only need three pairs of shoes for your standard holiday, in my opinion – comfy sandals, fancy sandals and trainers.

Wear the latter for the flight, as these will weigh the most.

Ditch most of the toiletries

Shampoo and body wash are at most hotels; serums can be forgone for a few days;

Try conditioner sheets to save space, and don’t lug that massive toothpaste with you – buy some little ones.

Share the hairtools

Going on a girly holiday? Have one of you bring the straighteners and one bring the hairdryer if you want to avoid the built in hotel one.

Here’s our latest review of Dyson’s newest light travel hair dryer.

Go for a holdall over a suitcase

While they might not be as comfortable to carry, a bag always weighs less than a suitcase as it doesn’t have the wheels as well.

Or make sure it is a newer, lighter-made suitcase – it Luggage claim to have the world’s lightest in fact, at just 1.8kg.

Fill your pockets

Of course wearing your jacket is a no-brainer – but make sure to get one with lots of pockets to shove things in.

Heavy portable chargers, spare sunglasses… just don’t make it TOO obvious.

Send your entire bag

If you’re travelling domestically, why not try sending your bag instead?

One woman refused to pay the £30 luggage fee – and paid £2.59 to post her clothes instead.

Many Brits are concerned that the new EU Entry/Exit system (EES) could put a dampener on their holidays, but an obscure clause could mean that the system is paused at the busiest times

Summer 2026 is shaping up to be uncertain for holidaymakers. A combination of the jet fuel issues and new requirements for Brits entering the European Union (EU), means many travellers are braced for delays, cancellations, or long airport queues.

But a little-known clause in the EES rules could become a lifeline for Brits heading to Europe this summer, and it could be invoked if the queues at European airports become too long.

Some countries are already taking their own measures to tackle the chaos caused by EES. Greece has switched from using EES back to manual passport stamping to ensure a smoother entry system. While reports that Italy and Portugal may follow suit have been shut down by Brussels.

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However, there are exemptions built into the EES system that could be invoked in “exceptional circumstances” and these could potentially come into play if the new procedures overwhelm EU airports.

A parliamentary briefing notes that the European Commission “referred to the possibility” that EU countries could “suspend EES operations potentially for a further 150 days after the 10 April implementation date.”

This suspension can be for periods of up to six hours in “exceptional circumstances where there are excessive waiting times”, the document went on to say.

This means that up until July 9, some borders would have the power to suspend EES for up to six hours a day.

“Member States should use that possibility only when such suspension is strictly necessary and for the shortest period possible. In the case of partial suspension, the registration of biometric data in the EES should be suspended. In the case of full suspension, no data should be recorded in the EES,” the legislation adds.

Since the implementation of the new system, there have been mixed reports on its efficiency. Some have claimed that it’s made the process of getting through the airport tougher for Brits. Holidaymakers have reported long lines, blaming slow software and machines going down, while others have claimed it’s made little difference in times getting through the airport.

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Later this year, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will also come into play, requiring Brits to get a pre-travel authorisation before they enter the EU.

While this visa waiver system was set to cost €7, just over £6, the fee has now been set at €20, about £17.37, almost three times the original cost. All travellers aged between 18-70 will need to apply before they travel once the new system is launched.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

NEW rules being rolled out this summer will make it much easier for families with young kids to get through the airport.

Airport eGates will be lowering the age of passengers who can use them from 12 to eight.

Confirmed by the Home Office, kids will need to be at least 120cm (3ft11) to be able to use them, as they require them to be able to see the biometric screens.

Currently, only families with kids aged 10 and over can use them – any younger and they have to go in the standard (usually much longer) queue.

It is expected to help as many as an extra 1.5million children use the eGates.

This will affect 13 airports across the UK that currently use eGates. These are:

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• London Heathrow
• London Gatwick
• London City
• London Luton
• London Stansted
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• East Midlands
• Newcastle
• Cardiff
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

The new rules will also affect a number of non-British residents including those from the US, Australia and Japan, along with non-Schengen countries in Europe.

Chief executive of AirportsUK Karen Dee said she welcomed the change, saying: “It will give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many.”

“Airports work very hard with border authorities to ensure the UK’s front door is both secure and welcoming, with those coming home and visiting enjoying a smooth experience.”

Brits are currently facing problems travelling via Europe, however, as new EES rules are resulting in massive queues, some even missing their flights.

Requiring biometric checks, only Greece has currently paused the new rules for Brits.

In some cases, people could be hit with hefty fines

A UK airport has issued a warning as travellers may be unaware they could be risking a £5,000 fine after taking sandwiches on board a flight. Many passengers purchase food at airports, or pack their own, and carry it onto planes without any trouble.

However, London Luton Airport has highlighted what the law actually states. And if you’re heading abroad anytime soon, it’s well worth taking note.

A post on X from the airport’s official account reads: “It is illegal to bring meats such as lamb, pork or beef or dairy products from the EU into GB in your luggage. This means items such as cheese, cured or raw meats, sandwiches and milk, including duty free purchases.”

The guidance applies to all airports across England, Scotland and Wales. Should you be caught carrying any prohibited items – including sandwiches containing meat or dairy – and fail to declare these to Border Force officers at customs, you could face prosecution, or a £5,000 fine (in England only).

Rules around bringing in meat, dairy, fish and other animal products differ depending on the country of origin. If you are travelling back from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, you are banned from bringing in any of the following:

• cheese, milk and dairy products like butter and yoghurt
• pork
• beef
• lamb
• mutton
• goat
• venison
• other products made from these meats, for example sausages

You can bring in the following for personal use:

• fish
• poultry, for example chicken, duck, goose and any other products made from these meats
• other animal products, for example eggs and honey

You may also bring in up to 2kg per person of powdered infant milk, infant food, or special food required for medical purposes. This is only allowed if it does not require refrigeration before use, and is in branded, unopened packaging (unless currently in use).

If you are travelling from a country outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, you are prohibited from bringing any meat or meat products, or milk or milk-based products, with the exception of powdered infant milk, infant food or special food needed for medical reasons.

You are, however, permitted to bring in up to 2kg per person of:

• honey
• powdered infant milk, infant food, or special food (including pet food) needed for medical reasons – you can only bring it in if it does not need to be refrigerated before use, and is in branded, unopened packaging (unless in current use)
• live mussels or oysters
• snails – these must be preserved or shelled, cooked and prepared
• frogs’ legs – these must be the back (hind) part of the frog with the skin and internal organs removed
• insect protein

You may bring in up to 20kg per person in total of fish, including:

• fresh fish – must be gutted
• fish products
• processed fish – must be dried, cooked, cured or smoked
• lobsters
• prawns

A KEEN traveller is determined to visit EVERY country that flies from his local airport – and is more than halfway there already.

Savvy jet-setter Neil Loft is attempting to tick off all 120 destinations that fly from Bristol Airport.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel. 

So far, Neil has ticked off 86 locations offered by Bristol Airport, leaving him with 34 left – although he does have an advantage working as cabin crew.

But not all of his travelling is done through work. Neil also spends lots of his free time exploring the world – last year he managed to visit 21 destinations.

Neil has only upped his efforts this year visiting as many as three places in one day, which he managed to do for as little as £3.

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He travelled from Basel in Switzerland, to St Louis in France, and Weil am Rhein in Germany all within 24 hours.

Neil said: “It was quite straightforward, really. Without even realising, I had crossed the bridge and walked into a new country.”

On day two of his trip to Basel, Neil caught the tram to the French border, where he walked over to St Louis to enjoy a local delicacy: croque monsieur.

Neil then returned to Basel before hopping on a tram across the border to Weil am Rhein in Germany.

There, he had a beer at a rooftop bar before heading back to his Swiss hotel.

Despite travelling to three different countries in 24 hours, the entire day trip cost him just £3 thanks to the travel pass he got on arrival in Basel.

Neil explained: “It was shockingly easy. I took a bit of time in each to have a drink and a mooch about but you could have done all three countries in two or three hours if you wanted to.”

Other spots in Europe that Neil has visited include Zurich, Vilnius, Kaunas, Almeria, Bilbao, Turkey, Innsbruck, and Bucharest.

When it comes to being savvy with flights, Neil says his jobs as a holiday rep and then cabin crew for 10 years helped.

Through this, he knows how to get the best flight and pair them up with the hotels and transfers.

Neil added: “I am well on track to achieve [all 120 destinations]. I have only got a handful more to do.

“I have no commitments to hold me back, so I am just an intrepid traveller really.

“I have to go on my airline apps to remind myself where I am going some of the time. I just tend to see a deal and go book it.”

A Frontier Airlines plane has hit and killed a person at Denver’s international airport, prompting the evacuation of passengers. Authorities say the man jumped a perimeter fence and ran in front of the plane as it was taking off to Los Angeles.

A UK airport will cease all flights from today as it winds down for good after operating for 90 years.

The site is earmarked for a multi-billion-pound green energy plant.

Flights from Coventry Airport will officially end today, May 9, and the site is set to permanently close on June 11, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The airport first started life as Baginton Aerodrome in 1936.

It then operated as RAF Baginton during the Second World War and going on to run commercial passenger flights, general aviation and air ambulance services.

Since 2008 though, there have been no scheduled passenger flights, leading to the decision to close the site.

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Plans are now in place to turn the site into a £2.5billion battery factory designed for electric vehicle production, following planning permission approval for Greenpower Park in 2022.

GreenPower Park is expected to create up to 6,000 jobs.

Former regeneration councillor at Coventry City Council Jim O’Boyle previously said: “What we want to see are thousands of jobs created here, giving the area an economic lift.”

Mr O’Boyle, who has served on the council since 2007, lost his seat in the recent local elections to the Green Party.

Passenger flights largely began from Coventry Airport in the 1950s, ferrying passengers to the Channel Islands.

Hards Travel began operating package holiday flights to Spain, France and Italy in the 1980s, and Thomsonfly began operating jet passenger flights in 2004.

In the same year, Wizz Air flew passengers to Gdańsk and Katowice, although these stopped after just four years of operation.

Most recently, the airport had been used for charter flights and training.

This comes after Coventry announced it would close its airport in early December 2025.

Each airline has set rules about when to arrive at the airport to avoid delays – check which apply to you before you make your way to the airport this May half-term

If your family is headed abroad in May, it might be wise to pay attention to the latest airport arrival advice from airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and TUI.

Airports are expected to be packed during the school holiday period, and with fluctuating jet fuel prices concerns, many travellers want to be extra prepared for potential delays, longer queues and last-minute schedule changes.

The rules have remained mostly the same in recent months, but some airlines have specific requirements for different types of passengers or groups.

Ryanair

Ryanair advises passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure to allow enough time for check-in, bag drop and security, and also says passengers must be at the boarding gate at least 30 minutes before departure time.

Even if you’ve booked through an online travel agent, you’ll still need to verify your booking at the airport, and you’re also told to arrive at least two hours early.

EasyJet

READ MORE: EasyJet update over EES delays as passengers told ‘we may not wait’READ MORE: Jet2 pilot urges travellers to bring 2 items on board that ‘make big difference’

Passengers flying easyJet are warned on their website that airports can become especially busy during school holidays, and to allow extra time for traffic, train disruptions and queues.

The airline warns that bag drop at most UK airports closes 40 minutes before departure, although some airports and destinations may close earlier at 60 minutes. Twilight bag drop services are available the evening before flights that are scheduled for the morning.

Jet2

For Jet2, you should arrive at the airport at least two hours before the scheduled departure, or earlier, since the airline’s check-in desks generally open around two-and-a-half hours before flights.

Jet2 closes check-in desks 40 minutes before departure. Traveller are urged to check its latest travel information page at least 12 hours before flying for updates on delays or disruptions.

Like some others, the airline also offers its Twilight Check-in service at selected UK airports, allowing customers on morning flights to drop off bags the night before.

TUI

TUI’s standard check-in opens at least 2.5 hours before short- and mid-haul flights, but for long-haul flights you can check in 3.5 hours before departure.

The company warns that arriving earlier than this will not allow passengers to pass through security sooner, and that those travelling with hand luggage only and who have already checked in online can go straight to security after arriving at the airport.

For groups travelling together on the same booking, TUI advises that only one person needs to go to the bag drop with all passports, visas, boarding passes, and luggage.

For all airlines, general advice is to keep travel documents easily accessible, check flight updates online before leaving for the airport and prepare for longer queues during peak travel periods such as the May half-term.

THERE’S nothing worse than getting caught out by dreaded overweight baggage fees at the airport.

Thankfully this nifty gadget can help you avoid forking out up to hundreds in extra luggage charges.

MYCarbon Portable Luggage Scale, £6.98 (was £10.99)

The luggage scale is currently on sale at 36% off. It originally sold at £10.99 and it costs only £6.98 today.

Even if you’ve made sure your bag or suitcase fits within your airline’s sizing limits, that doesn’t mean it won’t become too heavy.

Airlines can charge extortionate fees for overweight luggage.

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British Airways, for example, charges you a heavy bag charge of £65 even if your luggage is just 1kg over the 23kg weight limit.

This applies to both the way there and the way home, so this expensive mistake could cost you £130.

Jet2 and easyJet charge a fee of £12 per kilo you are over the weight limit.

This means that if you overpack to the 32kg limit for a standard 15kg bag, you would be charged a stinging £204.

That’s twice the cost of some city breaks just to bring your suitcase with you.

MYCarbon Portable Luggage Scale, £6.98 (was £10.99)

Avoid getting caught out and having to fork out a fee by using this nifty at-home luggage scale.

The gadget has nearly 27,000 reviews, the large majority of which are 5-star and praise how easy it is to use.

One happy shopper shared: “I can confidently say it is a must-have for anyone looking to avoid those dreaded “overweight” fees at the airport.

“It’s rare to find a gadget that is both simple and incredibly effective, but this hits the mark.”

He continued to write: “​If you want a scale that is sturdy, comfortable to hold, and accurate, look no further. It does exactly what it promises with zero hassle”.

Another delighted reviewer said: “Before discovering this scale, I often faced the stress and uncertainty of whether my luggage would meet airline weight restrictions.”

“With the MYCARBON scale, those worries are a thing of the past”.

While there are luggage scales at some airports, it’s much easier to weigh your bags at home then take out what you don’t need, rather than find out at the airport that it’s already too late.

Plus nobody wants to be stuck buying a new suitcase at the airport, where prices are often hiked for passengers in a pinch left with no choice.

And who wants to essentially pay for their holiday twice just because you forgot to weigh your luggage at home?

It’s even been reported that some airline staff are rewarded with ‘bonuses‘ for catching out passengers with oversized baggage.

Avoid those pesky fees by using this scale – you can even pack it and bring it with you on holiday to make sure that your bags aren’t over the weight limit from any shopping you do abroad.

MYCarbon Portable Luggage Scale, £6.98 (was £10.99)

Prices correct at time of publication.

RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary has made the headlines today, calling for an early-morning ban on airports serving alcohol to passengers.

He’s calling for the big change following a rise in badly behaved passengers that have caused flights forced to divert.

He told The Times: “It’s becoming a real challenge for all airlines

“I fail to understand why anybody in airports bars is serving people at five or six o’clock in the morning. Who needs to be drinking beer at that time?

“There should be no alcohol served at airports outside [those] licensing hours,” he said. “We have been calling for many years for a limit of two drinks per person per airport, why don’t you limit people by boarding pass?”

So should we be banning morning beers at UK airports? Our travel experts go head to head…

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AIRPORT breakfast beers are one of those quirky British traditions, much like the Wetherspoons table number game and the dirty birthday pint.

It is pretty much guaranteed that you will see a number of sleepy-eyed Brits sinking a lager at the airport pub, no matter what time of day you arrive.

While I personally can’t stomach a drink before midday, I’m also not a fan of telling hard-working Brits how they can spend their precious seven days of holiday that they’ve been saving for all year.

Michael O’Leary has long called for there to be a two-drink limit on people drinking at airports and that is something that feels like a reasonable compromise to me.

But to ban airport bars from serving any booze outside of normal UK licensing hours – typically from around 10 or 11am – seems pretty unfair when passengers can still buy a drink on the actual Ryanair flight.

Pubs are under a huge amount of financial stress these days, thanks to a raft of anti-hospitality measures introduced by our current chancellor, Rachel Reeves.

Around two pubs are closing in the UK each day – more than 2,000 since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, should we really be penalising them any further?

Add to this the fact that pubs pay an extremely high rent for their airport locations, do we want to see boozers also disappearing from here too?

I’m not sure that cutting out morning drinking will see the solution to the problem that airlines are clearly having such a huge issue with, because it won’t have any effect on the thousands of flights that fly out of the UK post-midday.

I’ve been on more late-evening Ryanair flights to Ibiza than I care to remember, when I have deep sympathy for the cabin crew serving very rowdy passengers.

Mr O’Leary has been in the industry for a long time, in fact he’s one of the most experienced airline bosses in the business, and we should be listening when he says it’s a huge problem that needs sorting.

The measures he has taken in recent years to hold disruptive passengers to account with huge court fines is clearly a huge step in the right direction, although I appreciate this is a time-consuming and costly process.

But banning the small joy of a breakfast beer in these stressful modern times, with everything that’s going on in the world? Please no.

‘More drastic measures are needed’ says Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

LOOK, I get it – you finally got that time off work, and you’re ready for a week of sunshine and relaxing.

But it has forever baffled me as to how that translates to a pint of beer or glass of champagne at 6am when normally you wouldn’t even be awake.

I can’t think of anything worse than sinking a Guinness when I’m waiting for my flight, and certainly don’t want that sloshing around in my stomach before a long journey.

If people could restrain themselves then a ban wouldn’t be needed but sadly, without airports willing to put a cap in place, it seems more drastic measures are needed.

Haven’t we all been on that awful flight where rowdy passengers just make it worse for everyone?

With Ryanair saying that as many as a flight a day are being diverted, those costs are likely to be passed onto the passenger too.

So those drunken idiots are essentially going to make your flight more expensive.

Maybe a full ban is too far, but I would say that a drink limit is definitely needed. 

I’d back airports being required to scan boarding passes, with a cap on 1-2 boozy beverages before you get on a plane.

Lets save it for the all-inclusive pool bar, guys.