airports

It seems sensible in theory, but thousands of budget travellers won’t benefit

Earlier this month, budget airline Wizz Air told all travellers to get to the airport three hours ahead of their flight due to new border control checks that have been brought in. Managing director Yvonne Moynihan warns that holidaymakers have missed their return or connecting flights due to lengthy airport queues since the rollout of the Entry Exit System (EES).

Problems were flagged when the travel system was launched in April, but as more people pass through airports this summer for the first time since regulations changed, travellers may face hold-ups. Taking to TikTok, travel specialist Kate Donnelly (@Thedonnellyedit) argues that the latest guidance from the airline is “useless” for most people jetting off this summer.

She said: “We know when you’re travelling short haul that the general advice is to get to the airport two hours before your flight. Wizz Air is advising people to arrive three hours before their departure to beat queues and reduce the risk of missing their flight due to the EES system.

“So, while this advice appears sensible, the reality is that most check-in desks only open two hours before departure, in some cases two and a half hours,” Kate argues that only certain travellers would actually gain from turning up at the airport three hours before take-off.

Details available directly on Wizz Air’s website (as of June 7) state: “Airport check-in and baggage drop-off start two hours and close 40 minutes before departure. It’s worth noting that at some airports, the check-in desk may open or close earlier.”

Nearly all airports listed with an earlier-than-standard check-in time are international. London Luton Airport was the only UK airport with differing rules, with check-in desks that open “180 minutes (three hours) before the scheduled time of departure” for all travellers, reports the Express.

Kate also suggested that passengers travelling with hand luggage only could be among those who stand to gain the most from arriving early. Without any luggage to weigh and drop off, the whole process becomes considerably faster, and passengers “would be allowed to get straight through security and into duty-free”.

The airport itself remains one of the most significant factors that could cause delays, even for those who arrive earliest. Kate claims: “A lot of airports have more than one border control, meaning that you are still going to have to wait until the announcement is made for your gate so that you know which border control you need to go to.”

What is the general advice on when to arrive at the airport?

To avoid any issues, it is best to double-check with your specific airline about the earliest time check-in opens. Arriving as early as possible can give extra time for delays, but being ready too soon could result in pointless delays just by waiting around.

Kate said: “If you are travelling to the Schengen area this summer, two hours before your departure is enough time, based on the fact that the airport processes have not changed. Unless [airlines] decide to start opening up check-in desks earlier and announcing gates sooner, you might as well stick with the two-hour rule.”

The Schengen area is an extensive, border-free travel zone encompassing 29 European countries. It features numerous popular summer holiday destinations such as Spain, Turkey and Greece – which means many British holidaymakers will encounter EES checks.

Hold-ups are likely to come from first-time EES users who are required to scan their passport, have a photo taken, and submit a 4-fingerprint scan (children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints). This establishes a digital record valid for three years, and during new trips within that timeframe, travellers just need to scan their passport and provide one biometric identifier (photo or fingerprint).

A EUROPEAN city has been forced to cancel all flights at short notice – affecting thousands of passengers.

Air traffic ​in Belgium ‌will be halted from 12pm ⁠to 7pm ​today due to an unexpected air traffic controller strike.

At Brussels Airport, passengers are being told not to travel to the airport.

In a statement, they said: “All flights to and from Brussels Airport between 2pm and 9pm will unfortunately have to be cancelled by the airlines.

“Please do not come to the airport if you are flying between 2pm and 9pm.”

This has already included some British Airways flights from London Heathrow.

UN-FARE

Full list of European airports that no longer have Ryanair flights

SKY-HIGH

Travel expert reveals how to avoid classic rip-off trap when flying… and save cash

According to local media, this has also affected Brussels Charleroi Airport, with 30 flights cancelled so far.

This mainly means Ryanair passengers, who are the primary carrier at Belgium‘s second biggest airport.

Ryanair slammed the strike, which has affected 20,000 passengers.

The airline’s boss Michael O’Leary said: “While we respect the right to strike, it is unacceptable that airlines were given zero notice of today’s Belgian ATC strike.

“As a result, airlines were forced to cancel flights at short notice, unfairly impacting thousands of passengers travelling to/from Belgium – many of whom are now stranded at Charleroi and Zaventem Airports.”

But Wizz Air passengers are also being hit, with flights being forced to divert and land at other airports.

Brussels Charleroi said in a statement: ” A new work stoppage will bring operations to a standstill starting at 2:15pm at Charleroi Airport.

“As a result, all flights scheduled to depart or arrive from 2:15 p.m. onward are canceled.

“Passengers with a flight scheduled after 2:15pm departing from or arriving at Charleroi Airport are advised to contact their airline for refunds or rebooking.

“Passengers with flights scheduled after 9:00pm are advised to check their flight status on their airline’s website.”

Similar restrictions are affecting other airports in Belgium too, including Antwerp, Liege, Ostend-Bruges.

The strikes are due to a disagreement over a new digital control tower being introduced.

Flights were delayed at two major UK airport because of jet fuel supply issues on Sunday evening. Passengers on ten flights flying out of Glasgow and Edinburgh airport faced delays.

The two Scottish airports have now said their operations are returning to normal after issues with the supply of jet fuel on Sunday evening.

The situation around the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has been severely constrained since the outbreak of the Iran war, has led to a reduction in the global supply of jet fuel. However the issues at the two Scottish airports are understood to be linked to a shortage in drivers for fuel lorries rather than the global market.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said 10 flights were delayed on Sunday, but deliveries had resumed on Monday.

A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said: “A short‑term staffing issue has affected one of the fuel suppliers used by airlines at the airport, with work underway to return stock levels to normal. There have been no related flight cancellations, and the airport remains fully operational.”

The spokesperson said fuel stocks are now returning to normal and there was no widespread disruption despite delays to some flights. Jet fuel is purchased by airlines, while the airports provide storage and infrastructure.

The low-cost airline is reducing the number of flights at 19 airports across Europe, including in the UK, and passengers have been warned to check their itineraries and alternative routes

Ryanair has slashed flights at 19 airports across Europe, including in the UK, ahead of its summer timetable.

Due to the changes, passengers have been urged to verify their itineraries and explore alternative routes.

Destinations affected by the reductions include Berlin, Manchester, Krakow and Malaga.

The decision comes as the budget carrier attempts to streamline its operations and tackle seasonal overcapacity, according to Travel and Tour World.

Travellers departing from or arriving at the airports facing reductions must verify their schedules to confirm their booking remains valid.

Full list of airports facing cuts:

United Kingdom

• London Stansted
• Manchester

Ireland

Germany

• Berlin Brandenburg
• Cologne Bonn
• Hamburg

Italy

Portugal

Belgium

France

Poland

Hungary

Romania

Bulgaria

Spain

The budget carrier has implemented the reductions to optimise its strategic network, ease economic pressures and manage rising costs.

The widespread cancellations form part of the airline’s efforts to safeguard profitability as the fuel crisis continues to fuel inflation worries.

The cuts come after Brits heading to Europe were caught in hours-long airport queues, with some passengers reportedly missing flights as new border checks continue to cause disruption across the EU.

The delays come following the rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which officially launched on October 12, 2025. Under the new system, non-EU travellers including Brits are required to register fingerprints and have their photograph taken when entering or leaving the Schengen area.

The travel industry is on edge after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterated his threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called sanctuary cities in a move that could jeopardize international flights.

The U.S. Travel Assn. said that Mullin confirmed he is considering withdrawing the officers in a meeting where the trade group was pressing its concerns about other proposals the Trump administration is considering that could hamper travel. The travel association and major airlines quickly condemned the idea, and even Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said it doesn’t make sense to him.

“U.S. Travel believes such a move would have devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation,” the industry group said Friday in a statement.

Details of the meeting were first reported by the Atlantic.

Duffy said at a congressional hearing this week that he wasn’t familiar with Mullin’s remarks, and he’d like to learn more about the context and maybe ask Mullin a question about what he meant. But Duffy said it would be a bad idea to start restricting travel based on political views. After all, he acknowledged, at some point Democrats will be in charge and “you will all switch spots at one point — hopefully not too soon, Mr. Chairman.”

“We have people from around the world and around the country that need to be able to fly into all different kinds of places. We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics,” Duffy said.

So it’s not clear how much support this idea has within the administration, though President Trump has previously threatened to withhold funding from sanctuary cities.

There is no strict definition for sanctuary policies or sanctuary cities, but the terms generally refer to jurisdictions that limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And courts have rejected the idea of pulling funding from them in the past.

In Trump’s first term in office, in 2017, courts struck down his effort to cut funding to the cities.

It’s not clear exactly which cities and airports Mullin might target, but the Justice Department last year published a list of three dozen states, cities and counties that it considers to be sanctuary jurisdictions. They include California, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego County.

The Airlines for America trade group was quick to say the idea would hurt the economy and disrupt travel.

“Reducing CBP staffing at major airports would have a devastating effect on the airline and tourism industries, causing a significant operational disruption to carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo.”

Funk and Yamat write for the Associated Press.

BRITS have been forced to miss their flights this year due to new rules across Europe.

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) which requires lengthier checks at the border have caused chaos ahead of the summer holidays.

Some families missed their flights in Milan because the queues were so long, while others in Faro and Tenerife have waited hours to get through.

But some experts have said there is a way to avoid them – if you skip landing in the “danger window”.

Travel advisor Julia cited it as a “danger window” which is when a lot of flights are landing at the same time, causing gnarled-up airports.

But if you manage to avoid landing at the peak times, you might find yourself sailing through airport security in minutes rather than hours.

RY-UNFAIR

Ryanair to axe 700,000 seats to popular European holiday destination this year

LINE UP

Popular European country hit by the worst airport queues as ‘families wait 6 hours’

So here are some of Europe’s popular airports – and when you might expect the most ESS-using passenger flights to land:

• Faro Airport, Portugal: 6am -11am (usually Mondays)
• Lisbon Airport, Portugal: 6am-8am and 4pm-7pm
• Tenerife South Airport, Spain: 4pm-8pm (usually Saturdays and Sundays)
• Barcelona-El Prat Airport, Spain: 6am-9am and 5pm-8pm
• Lanzarote Airport, Spain: 5am-8am and 4pm-7pm (usually Thursdays and Sundays)
• Milan Malpensa Airport, Italy: 6am-9am (usually Fridays and Saturdays)
• Schiphol Airport, Netherlands: 6am-10am and 12pm-3pm (usually Mondays and Fridays)
• Charles de Gaulle Airport, France: 6am-9pm, 4pm-7pm
• Athens Airport, Greece: 5am to 8am and 12pm-2pm

So when booking your flight, if you can avoid landing or departing at those time? Expect far fewer queues.

And if you can’t… make sure to bring some snacks in case you get stuck in long queues.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor revealed her two top tips on how to avoid the EES queues this summer.

Spain has even been forced to launch special queues for elderly Brits and families in an attempt to ease congestion.

Airports in Japan, China, India, the UAE, Singapore and Thailand have all been impacted, with major airlines cancelling 366 flights and delaying a further 2,949 services.

Hundreds of flights have been axed this weekend as severe weather, airspace chaos and growing operational strain cause widespread disruption.

Airports across Japan, China, India, the UAE, Singapore and Thailand have all been hit, with airlines scrapping 366 flights and delaying a further 2,949 services, according to aviation tracking data reported by Travel and Tour World.

Major carriers affected include China Eastern Airlines, IndiGo, AirAsia and Etihad Airways, with the disruption centred on major transit hubs such as Tokyo Haneda Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport and Zayed International Airport.

Industry experts say the chaos is being fuelled by a mix of heavy storms battering parts of Asia, congestion at key airports and the ongoing impact of Middle East airspace restrictions, which have forced airlines to reroute planes and shoulder significantly higher fuel bills.

The broader aviation sector is also grappling with the fallout from geopolitical tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran, which has resulted in airspace closures and extended flight times on major Europe-Asia routes.

It has been reported this week that a number of carriers have already started cutting back international schedules due to spiralling operating costs. Air India has confirmed temporary reductions to several long-haul services between June and August, attributing the move to fuel pressures and operational challenges stemming from diversions around restricted airspace.

Despite the turbulence affecting much of the region, Singapore Airlines has revealed plans to boost capacity on certain routes as passengers increasingly opt for direct Asia-Europe flights that bypass Middle Eastern stopovers.

Australian government travel guidance has also cautioned travellers to anticipate continued disruption related to the conflict, including cancellations, delays and fuel supply problems impacting global aviation networks.

Passengers flying through major Asian hubs this week have been advised to verify flight status updates before departing for the airport, with airlines cautioning that additional schedule alterations remain likely should weather patterns and geopolitical disruption persist.

This rule applies on another airline as well – and could catch some people out

Jet2 customers are being reminded of a rule the airline has that does not allow passengers to bring on board an item that is commonly available in airports. The popular airline reiterated its blanket ban for customers this week – and there are no exceptions.

Holidaymakers are advised not to bring the item with them beyond the gate leading to the aircraft. Most airlines have their own rules, which vary depending on which one you fly with, though many share the same for health and safety reasons.

Jet2 has a strict rule in place about bringing hot drinks on board, including teas, coffees and hot chocolates. The rule also applies to any hot food – even if it was purchased from a shop, cafe or restaurant in the airport terminal.

Jet2 reiterated the rule online to a passenger who asked whether they could bring a drink with them. The airline said: “You are able to bring any snacks or soft drinks on board bought in the terminal (after security).” However, it added: “Hot drinks are not permitted to be brought on board.”

People who are due to board flights will need to finish their hot food or drinks before being allowed on board. This rule applies to other airlines as well, like Ryanair, but some are more relaxed, like easyJet.

What is the reason for this Jet2 rule?

On its website, Jet2 states: “You can’t bring hot food or hot drinks onboard our planes for safety reasons.” The Jet2 ban applies only to drinks customers bring on board.

Usually, passengers can purchase a variety of hot foods, as well as teas, coffees, and hot chocolates, on board Jet2 flights. Customers must remember the payment rule that applies to all flights.

Elsewhere, certain airlines, like easyJet, will allow hot drinks bought in the airport on board. This is provided the cup has a secure lid.

In other Jet2 news, the airline announced two new routes to a ‘stunning’ island with ‘sandy beaches‘, ‘aquamarine waters’, ‘cobbled streets’ and ‘rolling hills’. The new routes follow Jet2’s claims of continued customer demand and independent travel agents booking holidays for the short hop to the island.

Jet2 has confirmed significant expansion to its Jersey programme for summer 2027, by putting two new routes and additional capacity on sale, as well as extending the season. The airline has introduced flights and holidays from Birmingham and Bristol for Summer 2027.

In addition to the new routes, extra capacity to Jersey has been added from Manchester, and the summer season to the destination has been extended. It means Jet2 will operate to Jersey right through to the end of October.

THE UK’s first international airport was forced to closed more than 67 years ago – but there is a way to visit it.

Croydon Airport in Surrey which was originally named London Terminal Aerodrome, first opened on March 29 in 1920.

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

The airport was developed for the efforts of World War I and is known as the birthplace of the ‘Mayday’ emergency call when it was created in n 1923 by F.S. Mockford, Croydon’s Senior Radio Officer.

Croydon Airport was even Britain’s main international airport from 1920 until the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

However, Croydon Airport officially closed on September 30, 1959 as it didn’t have enough space to accommodate the larger, faster aircraft after World War II.

GO ALL IN

Turkey has crazy cheap all-inclusive holidays this summer – 7 nights from £329pp

GO GREEK

Five cheapest Greek hols islands as country lets Brits SKIP huge EU airport queues

But all of this history can now be explored at the airport site which has since been transformed into a museum inside its former terminal and control tower.

The Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is a volunteer led micro-museum which is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month.

Visitors must book in advance onto a guided tour – which takes around an hour – with free time afterwards to explore the museum without the guide later on.

On Tripadvisor, people praised the attraction, with one calling it a “gem of a place”.

They added: “Guides are very knowledgeable and friendly and the history is still kept alive. Great for young and old alike.”

The next open day will be on June 7, 2026.

Tickets for open days are usually on sale two weeks prior to the event, and you can book in advance on the website. Tickets for adults start from £10 and children from £2.50.

The airport was once home to airlines like Imperial Airways, the predecessor to British Airways.

Passengers could fly from Croydon Airport to European cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Berlin – it then provided long-haul routes to the likes of India, Africa, the Middle East, and even Australia.

Famous faces even used the airport during its heyday including Winston Churchill, who took flying lessons there, and Amy Johnson who took the record-breaking flight to Australia in 1930.

The site was even home to the world’s first airport hotel, the Aerodrome Hotel, with the development costing around £267,000.

Jet2 has launched new direct flights with the CEO saying the destination will be a ‘popular’ one for customers seeking culture and sunshine

Jet2 has launched a new service as it vows to offer passengers a slice of ‘sunshine paradise’. The UK airline’s first service to Palermo has taken off from Manchester Airport – with more to follow shortly from other UK airports.

The launch signals the start of Jet2’s operations to the Sicilian capital for the very first time this summer 2026, opening up the stunning island of Sicily to British holidaymakers. Jet2 will run twice-weekly services (Tuesdays and Fridays) from Manchester Airport to Palermo through to 3rd November 2026 in a piece of good news for passengers after weeks of headlines about the war in Iran and its possible impact on UK airlines.

Jet2 has also confirmed that travellers in the Midlands and Northeast will be able to get in on the action, with flights and holidays set to launch from Birmingham Airport on Wednesday 6th May and from Newcastle International Airport on Tuesday 26th May. From Birmingham, Jet2 will operate weekly Wednesday flights until 28th October 2026, while weekly Tuesday services will also be available from Newcastle Airport through to 3rd November 2026. The airline says all routes to Palermo are exclusive to Jet2.

Palermo marks Jet2’s latest expansion into Italy, bringing the total number of Italian airports served by the carrier to nine, including two in Sicily. Altogether, Jet2 has 12 weekly flights on sale to Sicily for summer 2026.

In a statement, the firm said: “The introduction of this new destination gives customers great access to the resorts of Campofelice Di Roccella, Cefalu and Pollinia on the island of Sicily, a sunshine paradise on the north-western coastline that offers stunning scenery, city sights and dramatic landscapes. From the beautiful beaches to the outstanding architecture, there is also the capital’s rich ancient history where there are myths and legends weaved into every captivating corner.”

Jet2 says it was the first UK airline and tour operator to confirm it will not introduce surcharges on any booked flights or holidays to cover cost increases, such as jet fuel, assuring customers that the price they book with Jet2 is the price they will pay. Jet fuel shortages caused by the Iran conflict have made the commodity more expensive for airlines.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “We are delighted to see Jet2’s first flight to Palermo take-off from Manchester Airport. To celebrate this new addition to our summer 2026 programme to Italy, we had our trademark red branding at the gate of the inaugural flight and also surprised one lucky customer with a pair of free return flights.

“We have no doubt that Palermo will be a popular destination for customers and independent travel agents looking to book getaways that combine culture and sunshine, and we look forward to taking them on our award-winning flights and holidays.”

Cut back booze at airports says Ryanair boss

The news comes as Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary today said airports should be banned from serving alcohol to passengers before early morning flights. “There should be no alcohol served at airports outside (those) licensing hours,” he told the Times.

He added: “We are reasonably responsible, but the ones who are not responsible, the ones who are profiteering off it, are the airports who have these bars open at five or six o’clock in the morning and during delays are quite happy to send these people as much alcohol as they want because they know they’re going to export the problem to the airlines.”

Many airports across the UK have made a major change when it comes to packing 100ml liquids in hand luggage, scrapping the rule altogether, while many still have strict rules in place

Several UK airports have ditched the 100ml rule at airport security, and it’s vital to know before heading on holiday.

UK airports are gearing up for one of the busiest travel periods as thousands of families jet off abroad during the summer holidays. While it’s an exciting time, holidaymakers should be well prepared before heading to the airport, particularly regarding airport security restrictions.

In a major change, several airports scrapped the 100ml liquid rule earlier this year, allowing passengers to carry up to two litres of liquids through security. The shift is down to new CT scanners that provide security staff with detailed 3D images of bags, allowing travelers to keep their two-liter liquids in their hand luggage when passing through airport security.

READ MORE: Beautiful overlooked European gem outside Schengen zone has £17 flights and £2 pintsREAD MORE: Experts warning over common items packed in hand luggage that can cause travel disruptions

The UK airports that have ditched the 100ml liquid rule so far include:

• Belfast International
• Belfast City
• Birmingham
• Bournemouth
• Bristol
• Edinburgh
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow

However, it’s important to note that not every UK airport has made the switch, and many still require liquids to be 100ml or under. Despite this, many have relaxed the rules so travellers no longer need to put them in a clear plastic bag, and they can also be kept in their hand luggage when going through security.

While specific rules can vary, it’s best to check directly with the airport you’re flying from, especially in the run-up to the summer holidays. It’s also important to check any restrictions with the airport you’ll be returning home from, as countries outside the UK can have different rules, including for liquids in 100ml containers.

The UK airports that still have the 100ml liquids rule include:

• Aberdeen
• Bournemouth
• Cardiff
• East Midlands
• Glasgow International
• Glasgow Prestwick
• Inverness
• Isle of Man
• Leeds Bradford
• Liverpool
• London City
• London Stansted
• London Luton
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Norwich
• Southampton
• Teesside

The Foreign Office states that liquids include the following:

• All drinks, including water
• Liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example, soup, jam, honey and syrups
• Cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss
• Sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
• Pastes, including toothpaste
• Gels, including hair and shower gel
• Contact lens solution
• Any other solutions and items of similar consistency

For airports that still follow the 100ml rule, the government advice page noted that there are exemptions for baby milk or food, medicines, food for special dietary requirements or liquids purchased in duty-free.

In other news, TUI also warned holidaymakers about changes to airport security at some UK airports, where new restrictions are in place. In a travel alert to passengers, the holiday provider 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 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.

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

A NUMBER of smaller European airports could face closure due to both the Iran war crisis and new entry rules being rolled out.

Experts have warned that regional airports are under threat due to mass cancellations and delays as a result of the fuel crisis and new European travel rules.

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

The Airports Council of Europe (ACI Europe) said that regional airports face “nothing short of an existential threat” if flights continue to be cancelled.

In a release, ACI Europe stated: “The dramatic increase in jet fuel prices in Europe – peaking at more than $1800/ton (£1332/ton) earlier this month – is resulting in air fare increases and tight capacity management by airlines.

“Regional airports are the most exposed to the fallout of these adjustments, as demand on their routes is typically much more price-sensitive and price-elastic – and thus less profitable for airlines.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

ALL IN

I found the best value all inclusive London hotel… just £55pp with free food & booze

“This means that when considering where to cut capacity, airlines are more likely to do so on routes serving regional airports, as shown by the recent decision by Lufthansa to shut down its regional subsidiary, CityLine.”

Olivier Jankovec, the director general of ACI Europe, added: “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.”

ACI Europe also revealed that issues could be made worse by the new Entry/Exit System (EES) that is now in place across Europe and “is set to wreak havoc at regional airports serving popular tourist destinations this summer“.

The body added that airports should be allowed to suspend the new system at any point, if airport queues become too long.

It also shared that “regional airports are part of Europe’s critical infrastructure” as they are responsible for 35 per cent of flights.

In order to ease the threat on regional airports, ACI Europe is calling to scrap national aviation taxes as well as keeping a safety net of air for smaller airports.