airport

Since the Straight of Hormuz was closed during the Iran War, the price of jet fuel has doubled. As a consequence, many airlines have cancelled flights. Regional airports are feeling the most strain

Europe’s smaller airports face an “existential threat”, according to the boss of the Airports Council of Europe.

Olivier Jankovec, the director general of ACI Europe, has warned that some of the continent’s smaller airports may not survive if jet fuel shortages triggered by the Middle East crisis lead to widespread route cancellations.

Since the Straight of Hormuz was closed during the Iran War, the price of jet fuel has doubled. As a consequence, many airlines have cancelled flights.

Regional airports are most exposed to airlines cutting capacity and raising fares, as demand on their routes is generally more price-sensitive than with bigger airports. This comes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has left some regional airports 30% below 2019 levels, according to Mr Jankovec.

“The current levels of jet fuel prices and the prospect of a new cost of living crisis mean that many regional airports across our continent are likely to face both a supply and demand shock. For them, this is nothing short of an existential threat,” the aviation boss told the Guardian.

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Conversely, the biggest airports in Europe have a different problem.

Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, delivered a stark warning about its capacity on Wednesday, as conflict in the Middle East triggered a surge in demand for connecting flights.

“Heathrow is full”, declared its chief financial officer, Sally Ding. Her comments came alongside the publication of first-quarter figures showing 18.9 million passengers passed through the airport in the opening three months of the year. That represents a 3.7% increase year-on-year.

Airspace closures stemming from the conflict in Iran led to a rise in transfer passengers. This pattern is expected to persist as geopolitical uncertainty continues, impacting one of the UK airport’s chief international competitors for worldwide connections, Dubai.

Heathrow’s trading update noted it had “temporarily absorbed demand from elsewhere”. It also warned “passenger numbers for the rest of the year are likely to be impacted whilst there is significant uncertainty in the Middle East”, as reported by City AM.

Yet as the long-running domestic saga surrounding planning permission for a third runway continues, Ding warned that Heathrow’s operating capacity meant “fewer choices and higher fares for passengers and missed opportunities for the UK economy”.

Heathrow’s £50bn proposal to increase capacity has been mired in political wrangling for years. Its blueprint for a new, 3.5-kilometre runway would elevate passenger capacity to 150m annually from 84m. With it, the airport could accommodate 756,000 flights per year, up from 480,000 currently.

“Our plan is privately financed, rigorously assessed and focused on value. With the right regulatory framework and government policy in place, we are ready to invest, grow and keep the UK connected to the world,” a statement from Heathrow said on Wednesday.

The project involves redesigning part of the M25, London’s ring road which passes close to Heathrow, by diverting it into a tunnel. For the first time in Heathrow’s history, the government examined a competing expansion proposal from another firm.

The more economical bid – costing £25bn, and put forward by the Arora Group, which runs hotels and is involved in property asset management as well as construction – would have avoided the M25 altogether. It was turned down last autumn by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. She selected Heathrow’s proposal, but it has faced further delays following a government decision to reassess its overarching strategy in its Airports National Policy Statement, now anticipated this summer.

A UK airport forced to close four years ago has tested its first flight ahead of its planned reopening.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed back in 2022, previously operating flights to Europe with airlines such as Wizz Air and TUI.

And the airport has since welcomed a large plane – the first since its closure – which has been praised as being a “deliberate step in the journey to reopen”.

While the flight was not a passenger flight (being a Boeing 727 Oil Spill Response Aircraft), the airport’s Executive Director of Airport Operations praised the move.

Simon Hinchley told local media: “This operation demonstrates that the airport’s core infrastructure remains robust, compliant, and capable of safely supporting jet operations.

“This flight is not just symbolic – it is about operational readiness.

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“It confirms that Doncaster Sheffield Airport is moving from planning into practical delivery, and it marks the beginning of a phased programme of testing and activity that will support our safe and sustainable return to full operations.”

The reopening of the airport is expected to cost as much as £193million, with private planes set to trial flights this year.

Passenger flights are expected by 2028, with estimates of as many as four million passengers a year at the airport eventually.

While no airline has confirmed it will open a base at the airport, MP Lee Pitcher said last year that he was in talks with both Ryanair and TUI.

He said: “It was a productive discussion, and we’ll continue to work with TUI, other key stakeholders, and push the Government to keep Doncaster Sheffield Airport firmly on the agenda.”

Here’s another UK airport that was forced to close, but is also looking at reopening.

Terrorists have attacked at various locations and soldiers are ‘currently engaged in eliminating the attackers’

The Foreign Office this afternoon said people should not travel to Mali after a sderies of attacks today. Officials co-ordinated attacks have struck the country.

Gunmen attacked several locations in Mali’s capital and other cities early on Saturday in a possible co-ordinated assault, residents and authorities said. Mali’s army said in a statement “unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks in the capital”. It added that soldiers were “currently engaged in eliminating the attackers”.

The Foreign Office told British citizens today: “A series of coordinated attacks occurred in multiple locations including Kidal, Gao, Kati, Sevare and in the vicinity of Bamako International Airport on 25th April, which has temporarily closed.

“If you are in Mali, you should stay indoors where possible, avoid crowded places and areas of military or police activity, and follow guidance issued by local authorities. We continue to advise against all travel to Mali.”

Previously the Foreign Office told people to only leave via the airport as overland routes are ‘too dangerous.’ It added: “This is due to terrorist attacks along national highways.

“Terrorist group Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) has implemented blockades on key routes throughout Southern and Western Mali, including the capital city of Bamako. These blockades are targeting fuel trucks and are enforcing checkpoints for individuals attempting to pass through them. Attacks can occur at any time.

“There is a high threat of kidnapping and criminal activity across Mali, including in the capital, Bamako. If you choose to remain in Mali, you do so at your own risk. You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government.

Mali has been plagued by insurgencies fought by affiliates of al Qaida and the so-called Islamic State group, as well as a separatist rebellion in the north.

An Associated Press journalist in the capital Bamako heard sustained heavy weapons and automatic rifle gunfire coming from Modibo Keita International Airport, around 15km (nine miles) from the city centre, and saw a helicopter over nearby neighbourhoods.

The airport is adjacent to an air base used by Mali’s air force. A resident living near the airport also reported gunfire and three helicopters patrolling overhead.

Residents in other cities in Mali reported gunfire and blasts on Saturday morning, suggesting a possible co-ordinated attack by armed groups.

Gunmen entered the northeastern city of Kidal, taking control of some neighbourhoods and leading to gunfire exchanges with the army, a former mayor of Kidal told AP over the phone.

The Azawad separatist movement has been fighting for years to create the state of Azawad in northern Mali. They once drove security forces from the region, before a 2015 peace deal that has since collapsed paved the way for some ex-rebels to be integrated into the Malian military.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesman for the Azawad Liberation Front, said on Facebook its forces had taken control of several areas of Kidal and Gao, another northeastern city. The AP could not independently verify his claim.

A resident of Gao said gunfire and explosions started in the early hours of Saturday and could still be heard in the late morning.

“The force of the explosions is making the doors and windows of my house shake. I’m scared out of my wits,” the resident told AP by phone. He spoke on condition of anonymity. The resident said the gunfire came from the army camp and the airport, which are next to each other.

A resident of Kati, a town near Bamako that is home to Mali’s main military base, also said he was woken up early in the morning by the sounds of gunfire and explosions.

General Assimi Goita, the leader of Mali’s military junta, lives in Kati.

In 2024, an al Qaida-linked group claimed an attack on Bamako’s airport and a military training camp in the capital, killing scores of people.

Mali, alongside neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, has long been battling armed groups affiliated with al Qaida and the Islamic State group, a fight that has escalated over the past decade.

Following military coups, the juntas in the three countries have turned from Western allies to Russia for help combating Islamic militants.

But the security situation in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso has worsened in recent times, analysts say, with a record number of attacks by militants. Government forces have also been accused of killing civilians they suspect of collaborating with militants.

Unrest reported in several locations around the country.

One Australian traveller was left stunned when she turned up to Gatwick airport at 4am and look over at the Wetherspoons pub there. Her video has now gone viral online

Most of us have bagged ourselves an early flight to try and save on fees before. However, that does involve getting up at the crack of dawn to make it to the airport on time. Luckily, most major airports usually have somewhere open to get a coffee, grab and snack or have the ‘airport beer‘ many Brits enjoy before heading on your flight – no matter what the time.

One of the most popular places for many Brits to head to before they catch their flight is Wetherspoons if there’s one there. Most of us know that airports can be expensive, so the budget pub brand is the perfect place to have a breakfast, meal or drink that isn’t going to break the bank.

However, one Australian traveller was left stunned when she turned up to Gatwick Airport and saw that the Wetherspoons there was completely packed – despite it being 4am.

The travel influencer, Kiaya, who boasts 14,900 followers online on her @kiaya.travels account, shared a video the showed people queuing to get into the pub. Another take from inside then showed the inside which was rammed with people, with some already enjoying an alcoholic beverage.

Overlay text read, ‘Every table full at 4am in the airport, oh to be British.’

The caption for the post, which was shared on the official Wetherspoon Instagram account, wrote: “Nothing like a ‘Spoons breakfast before my flight!”

People were loving the post, as it went viral and racked up more than 122,000 likes.

One person exclaimed: “Nothing slaps harder than a pre-flight ‘Spoons breakfast and a pint to be honest,” while another added: “What more could you want a 4am! I’m here for it.”

A third chimed in: “We love Wetherspoons,” while another branded it their “favourite spot”.

Wetherspoon pubs at Gatwick Airport are typically open between 3AM and 5AM and close between 9PM and 11PM daily. There is one branch in the North Terminal (after security) and two in the South Terminal (one before and one after security).

Despite a pre-flight pint being a tradition amongst many Brits, travel insiders previously shared why it might not be the best idea. Chatting with experts at global travel booking giant Omio, flight attendant Dashiell Horowitz of Air Transat gave his advice to anyone planning to board a plane.

He recommended eating a big meal to ‘make sure you’re tired and get some rest on the flight’, however, he wasn’t as keen on airport beers.

Dashiell said: “There isn’t much I would avoid if flying as a passenger except for anything that you know will upset your stomach!

“The one thing I would truly avoid is any alcohol before a flight. Most people don’t know it affects you twice as much whilst in the air, so you’re more likely to feel the effects than on the ground.”

ONE of the UK’s busiest airports is set for travel chaos over the May bank holiday weekend due to strike action.

Around 100 workers at London Stansted Airport – the UK’s fourth busiest airport – will walk out between May 3 and 6.

The walkout, which has been called by Unite the Union, will mainly involve staff who help passengers with disabilities at the airport and onto their flights.

Action was called after staff rejected a “substandard” pay offer.

Delays are expected as a result of the strike, as it will take longer to board passengers who need help to get to their flights.

Last year the airport handled 2.74 million passengers across May, with thousands travelling across both May bank holiday weekends.

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Many budget airlines fly from the airport including Ryanair and popular European destinations include Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Alicante and Ibiza.

As a result of the strike action, families and travellers heading off for the long weekend might experience delays in getting to their destinations.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “ABM staff do a vital job for passengers at the airport, yet they are struggling with low pay while their employer makes huge profits.

“This situation is unacceptable and workers at ABM continue to have Unite’s full support.”

Unite regional officer Steve Edwards added: “Workers at ABM are increasingly given bigger workloads and deserve pay that reflects this.

“Their employer can afford to come back with an offer workers would accept and could end this dispute easily by doing so. But until then, Unite members will strike until their voices are heard.”

A previous strike was planned for April 17 to 20 but was called off.

Sun Travel has contacted London Stansted Airport for comment.

Stansted Airport also recently hiked its drop-off parking charges by almost 50 per cent.

In March, the fee to use the express drop-off (up to 15 minutes) at the airport rose from £7 to £10.

The fee for longer stays of up to 30 minutes also rose from £25 to £28.

The changes made Stansted Airport the second most expensive airport for drop-off fees in the UK, only beaten by Gatwick Airport where the fee is £10 for 10 minutes.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

In other flight news, Ryanair is axing thousands of flights from European airport this summer.

Plus, four major European airlines are set to scrap free hand luggage onboard.

Passport holders have been urged to change a key phone setting before they arrive at airports to travel. Failing to do so could see them facing delays in queues

We all love jetting off abroad at this time of year, but sometimes making simple mistakes at the airport can lead to risking delays in queues. While many people worry about their clothing, and what they have packed in their cases, something they should actually be paying more attention to is their mobile phones.

Little you may know, using a certain setting can actually lead to people spending more time in queues at security, and delaying their travel journey. Nobody wants to have to face lengthy queues when they start their holiday so an expert has shared some key travel tips to help passport holders out.

It’s not the only advice of its kind to be shared recently either. Previously, tourists were also advised to take passport action before travelling to reduce the risk of problems at the airport.

You may not realise, but a dim screen is one of the most common reasons boarding passes fail to scan at the gate. Experts say a few simple phone tweaks before you leave home can save serious stress on travel day, and the changes take seconds to complete.

According to William Thackray, IT expert at AGT Computer Services, a dim screen is one of the most frequent and easily avoidable causes of delay at airport security and boarding gates.

He said: “Scanners need a clear, bright image to read a barcode or QR code reliably. In bright airport lighting, a screen that’s sitting at its default brightness – or that’s been dimmed to save battery – can cause a failed scan.

“It sounds trivial, but it holds up the queue and it’s completely avoidable.”

What you need to do

Before you leave the house, drag your screen brightness to maximum. On an iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to access the Control Centre and pull the brightness slider to the top. For Android, swipe down from the top of the screen and do the same.

While you’re at it, William recommends a few other quick changes that can make the whole airport experience smoother. To begin, he said it’s a good idea to screenshot your boarding pass.

Don’t rely on an app that needs a signal or a Wi-Fi connection to load. A screenshot lives on your phone and opens instantly.

He said it’s also a good idea to turn off auto-lock. If your screen goes dark mid-queue, you’ll be unlocking your phone and re-opening your boarding pass with a line of people behind you.

Go to Settings > Display and bump your screen timeout up to at least two to three minutes before you travel. This could make a big difference.

You should also make sure your phone is fully charged. It sounds obvious, but some airports – especially when travelling to the US – can ask you to power up your device at security.

A dead phone can mean real delays, or worse, having your device taken for additional screening. William added: “None of these things take more than a minute to sort before you leave the house.

“But, on a busy travel day, that one minute of prep can be the difference between breezing through and being that person holding everyone up.”

There have been some major changes in how Brits travel abroad, and TUI has issued a warning that could impact holidaymakers when going through airport security

British holidaymakers jetting off abroad have been warned of airport changes ahead of the May half-term.

During the May half-term, thousands of Brits are expected to jet abroad for a sun-soaked getaway, with airports expected to be busier than usual. Airlines advise travellers to arrive at the airport in plenty of time to check in any bags, go through security, and find their gate.

This is particularly important following the full rollout of the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES), which has caused lengthy border control queues, delays and even missed flights at European and UK airports. On top of this, TUI has warned holidaymakers about changes to airport security at some UK airports, which have new restrictions in place.

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In a travel alert to passengers earlier this month, TUI said: “While UK airports are installing new scanners to prepare for changes in security restrictions, at this time you should still follow current guidelines as not all airports have changed and destination airports still have these restrictions in place for your flight home.”

The airline went on to provide information on some of the major UK airports that have implemented changes, including Aberdeen, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, London Southend, and London City.

TUI also advised customers to visit its airport security page on its website or the information page for the UK airport they’re departing from to find relevant details. As airports can have different security measures in place, including the 100ml liquid allowance, it’s vital to check any restrictions before heading to the airport.

Earlier this year, a number of airports ditched the 100ml liquid rule, including Belfast International, Belfast City, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, and London Heathrow. The major change allows holidaymakers to carry more through security.

Another change for Brits heading abroad followed the introduction of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) earlier this month. And in a bid to help customers prepare for their next travel trip and avoid any disruptions, TUI issued a travel alert.

The airline advised passengers: “At some airports, you might still find longer queues, particularly at busy travel periods. We know this isn’t the travel experience you want before, or after your holiday – and it’s certainly not the one we want for you – so please know we’re doing all we can to support.

“To help your journey run as smoothly as possible, please allow a little extra time when passing through border control. Keep any essential medication in your hand luggage in case of delays, and when departing the EU, head straight to passport control after dropping your bags to avoid hold‑ups. Bringing some extra water for comfort is also a good idea.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

ONE of Europe’s biggest airport hubs has opened its huge new third terminal – more than a DECADE after works started.

Frankfurt Airport, the busiest in Germany and 6th busiest in Europe, is often used as a stopover airport for long-haul flights.

And its new Terminal 3 has now opened.

Having started works back in 2015, the new terminal is the airport’s biggest project to date.

Costing €4billion (£3.6billion), inside is a main terminal and three concourses adding to Terminal 1 and 2.

Inside are more than 60 shops and restaurants, we well as new automated bag drop areas and improved CT scanners at security.

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Designed by German architect Christoph Mäckler he said he wants to make the terminal feel like a “city in its own right”.

He added: “These days airports have become a destination in their own right. In fact, they typically receive more visitors than many city centres.

“This makes it even more important for airports to also perform some of the same functions as cities. We’re making this happen in Terminal 3.”

Around 57 airlines will move to the new terminal from Terminal 2, which includes Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific.

There will also be a shuttle between the terminals, taking less than 10 minutes.

Initially it will welcome up to 19million passengers, although this will eventually increase to 25million by June with the opening of the fourth phase.

Frankfurt Airport welcomed 63.2million passengers last year.

Brits can currently fly to Frankfurt with British Airways for £69, whereas Ryanair’s £15 flights go to the smaller Frankfurt-Hahn Airport.

And Condor Airlines launched a new flight route to Frankfurt from London Gatwick this month, the first UK route for the airline.

If you want to explore the city, it even has its own “mini Manhattan,” thanks to its skyscraper financial district.

CNN Travel previously said: “Frankfurt looks and feels more like a modern American city than any other metropolis when people visit Germany.”

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ALL-NIGHT train services to a major UK airport will begin next month.

The roll out of a new rail timetable will connect travellers to the UK’s third busiest airport all through the night.

Eight overnight trains will go between Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly.

Beginning from May 17, night trains are expected to run roughly every hour between the city and the airport.

The TransPennine Express (TPE) services are being put in place as part of a timetable shakeup.

It’s hoped it will better connect passengers making journeys to and from Manchester Airport in the late night and early morning.

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Andrew McClements, customer experience and transformation director at TPE, said, “We’re pleased to be introducing services that give customers more choice, added flexibility, and an improved overall experience when travelling with us.”

Other changes to the TPE timetable will see an update to 08.05am weekday services between Leeds and Manchester Piccadilly come into place.

The regular service will begin to call at Dewsbury.

This is to help commuters and students with early morning commutes and to better connect them to the city.

TPE is also urging customers to check their usual routes to see if they have been impacted by the timetable changes.

It said, “Although most of our services are unchanged, we encourage customers to take a moment to check any journeys they make regularly.”

A skincare expert has shared which beauty products are likely to cause problems at airport security due to hand luggage liquid rules – and how to avoid any hold-ups

With summer getaways fast approaching, countless holidaymakers are gearing up to travel overseas. As skincare continues to surge in popularity, many will be packing their creams and serums – yet skincare specialists are cautioning that transporting these products can prove more complicated than anticipated.

Experts at Landys Chemist have outlined the key ways skincare items can cause issues at airport security.

Skincare specialist Rhysa Phommachanh explained: “Many travellers are now packing full skincare routines in their hand luggage, but it can be confusing knowing which products are allowed. As a general rule, if a product can be spread, rubbed, or sprayed, it will usually fall under airport liquid restrictions.”

For instance, numerous skincare products nowadays appear as jellies, balms and sticks.

All of these are classified as liquids by airport security, as are sheet masks and eye patches.

Failing to adhere to airport security regulations could result in travel disruptions or having your belongings seized.

To conserve luggage space, travellers sometimes transfer larger items into smaller containers to meet requirements.

Nevertheless, these unidentified containers can prompt queries at security and trigger manual inspections, which can prove time-consuming.

It’s also probable that any pressurised containers such as facial mists, setting sprays or spray sunscreens will require manual examination and slow down security lines.

It is crucial to familiarise yourself with the regulations at each airport you pass through, as updated liquid rules are gradually being introduced across the country.

Restrictions may vary from one airport to another, so ensure you are fully aware of the specific guidelines before you board your flight.

When it comes to skincare, a minimalist approach often yields the best results.

As reported by the Express, Rhysa said: “A more simplified approach tends to work best for long-haul travel.

“Basic essentials such as lip balm, a lightweight moisturiser, or a facial mist are usually more than enough to maintain hydration without overwhelming the skin barrier.”