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A MAJOR airline has confirmed it is axing all long-haul flights from a UK airport – starting next month.

The airline will cancel its long-haul transatlantic routes to the US and the Caribbeans.

Aer Lingus will stop flying from Manchester to New York JFK from February 23.

The operator will then cease its flights to Orlando and Barbados from March 31.

In order to re-accommodate impacted passengers who were scheduled to travel to the Caribbean island from Manchester, the airline will run a service from Dublin to Barbados in April and May.

The affected customers have already been contacted and given options for a refund or rebooking.

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The airline said that the developments will not affect Aer Lingus or Aer Lingus Regional services between Ireland and Manchester.

A spokesperson told The Sun:

An airline spokesperson told The Sun: “Aer Lingus informed staff and their representatives at its Manchester base today that the airline’s Manchester transatlantic operations will fully cease as of and from 31st March 2026.

“Manchester-New York operations will cease from 23rd February 2026 and Aer Lingus plans to operate a service from Dublin to Barbados (subject to receipt of necessary approvals) during the months of April and May to reaccommodate affected customers.

“There is no impact to Aer Lingus or Aer Lingus Regional (Emerald Airlines) flights between Manchester and Ireland. Customers are being informed directly of the cancellation of flights and provided with reaccommodation and refund options.

“Aer Lingus will continue to engage with staff representative groups to discuss the phased reduction in operations, redeployment opportunities and the terms of a severance package at the Manchester Base.

“Aer Lingus acknowledges that this is a very difficult time for colleagues based in Manchester and will seek to ensure that colleagues are kept informed and supported as discussions evolve during the next phase of the consultation.”

In the past, the airline has said that its long-haul routes from Manchester had an operating margin that “significantly lags behind” that of Ireland.

About 200 employees at the base, which Aer Lingus launched in 2021, could be impacted if the closure goes ahead.

The islands are becoming the go-to winter sun destination for UK travellers, with easyJet launching direct flights from London Gatwick and some regional airports

Many of us are well and truly fed up with the January weather, and with warmer days in the UK still a long way off, it may be time to spoil yourself with a winter sun holiday.

Luckily, you don’t have to go long haul to get some warm weather this time of year. Options such as the Canary Islands are popular, but if you want somewhere a bit more off-the-beaten track, then another set of islands are becoming increasingly popular.

Cape Verde has warm weather year-round, and in the next couple of weeks, daytime highs will reach 24C, making it warmer than Tenerife at 20C. With flights clocking in at around six hours, you don’t need to spend an entire day on a plane to enjoy its long days of sunshine.

The islands that make up Cape Verde include Sal and Boa Vista, with the largest airport where most Brits arrive on Sal. Budget airline easyJet launched flights to the archipelago back in March 2025, with the route marking the airline’s first foray into Sub-Saharan Africa. It also became easyJet’s longest route at the time. The airline went on to launch a route from Manchester, and from May 1, passengers will also be able to fly from Bristol.

TUI also flies to the island from the same airports and also offers routes from Birmingham, Glasgow, and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. A seasonal service from the East Midlands is also available to book on dates from April 29.

The islands, positioned off Africa’s west coast, attracted roughly 1.2 million tourists in 2024. However, this figure pales in comparison to the Canaries’ visitor numbers. Tenerife alone drew approximately seven million holidaymakers during the same period, giving Cape Verde a decidedly less crowded atmosphere.

The islands’ biggest selling point is undoubtedly the delightful climate. While February is still winter in Cape Verde, temperatures routinely reach 27 °C during the day, with six to eight hours of sunshine and minimal rainfall. In contrast, Tenerife hovers between 17C and 22C during this period, enjoying roughly six hours of sun, but conditions can be overcast with brief showers.

Flying with easyJet will land you in Sal, an island characterised by its volcanic desert terrain. The majority of holidaymakers stay in Santa Maria on the southern coast, famed for its expansive golden beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters. The resort town has a laid-back atmosphere, with streets adorned by swaying palm trees.

After dusk, the area comes alive with vibrant nightlife featuring live performances and beachfront bars. Travellers can enjoy windsurfing, take boat trips to look for sharks, or explore the disused Pedra Lume salt mine nestled within a dormant volcano. Guests can explore the historical mining site before indulging in a rejuvenating mud treatment and float in the salty pools, which are reputed to leave skin feeling wonderfully soft.

Of course, there’s no obligation to remain on Sal throughout your holiday. A three-hour ferry journey connects you to Boa Vista, home to a selection of resorts. This quieter island boasts stunning, pristine beaches where lucky visitors might see turtles emerging from the ocean.

Take a quad bike expedition across the arid wilderness, or set sail aboard a catamaran to discover the finest coastal spots. On the island’s northern tip, you’ll also find the wrecked MS Cabo Santa Maria, which has remained grounded in these waters since 1968, providing a fascinating backdrop for photographs.

EasyJet Holidays‘ Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Bixby, previously said in a statement: “Cape Verde is a fantastic destination, providing year-round sunshine and white sandy beaches. That’s why we’re thrilled to be offering our brilliant package holidays, whether it’s a family looking for a resort to enjoy with kids, or a couple looking for adults-only luxury, we have a great range of fantastic resorts across the island of Sal.”

Accommodation options vary from budget-friendly basics to luxurious all-inclusive properties. The Meliá Llana Beach Resort and Spa, an adults-only venue with all-inclusive packages, boasts outstanding reviews. One satisfied guest said: “The resort itself is beautiful, a true oasis of tranquillity and style.” The property also features swim-up rooms for a luxury stay.

For families, the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort sits in an enviable spot on the vibrant Ponta Sino, a popular destination for kitesurfers. A guest praised their experience: “A lovely stay at Hilton Sal Cabo Verde and would certainly return again. Great location and friendly staff. Extremely clean and good choice of food. Rooms are a great size with comfy beds.”

EasyJet operates flights from London Gatwick to Sal three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with February fares starting from £148.99 one-way. Current holiday packages feature a seven-night all-inclusive getaway at Sol Dunas Family Fun, departing February 3 from Manchester, priced from £737 per person, based on two adults sharing a double room and using code BIGSALE.

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Vienna has topped the Global Liveability Charts for three years in a row – and with return flights from the UK costing as little as £35, Austria’s capital makes the perfect affordable weekend break

A breathtaking European capital has been crowned the continent’s “best” city, and it’s just a short three-hour flight from Britain. Even better news for budget-conscious travellers – you can jet off to this stunning destination for as little as £35 return.

Vienna, the Austrian capital, has claimed the top spot in the Global Liveability Charts for three consecutive years. The city of approximately two million residents outranked popular destinations including Copenhagen, Zurich, and Geneva, earning top marks for its stability, cultural offerings, and excellent local infrastructure.

The city is also a cultural treasure trove, celebrated for its musical heritage, exquisite art scene, and charming coffee houses.

YouTuber Ed Chapman made the journey to discover whether it truly deserved its reputation as “the greatest city in the world”. His itinerary included the Danube Tower, which boasts Europe’s tallest slide, a round-the-clock amusement park, and the internationally renowned Cafe Central.

Situated in Vienna’s Innere Stadt district, this historic establishment once welcomed legendary figures including Sigmund Freud, Leon Trotsky, and Josef Stalin. The venue earned the nickname “Chess school” due to its popularity amongst elite chess players who used it as their gaming headquarters, reports the Express.

Ed sampled beef goulash, hot chocolate, and cake during his visit. Reflecting on his meal, he remarked: “That is beautiful, what a delight, lovely and warm, great flavours. Proper hearty food.”

When asked whether Vienna deserves its crown as the world’s finest city, Ed remarked: “It’s a beautiful place. It’s lovely. Buildings are amazing, astonishing. It’s got some history knocking about. Mozart is, you know, his place is out here somewhere. There’s something to walk past. All sorts of museums.”

He continued: “I’m very impressed by this place. But is it the greatest city in the world that I’m not sure about. It’s a very, very good city. I can absolutely see why it’s been given the most livable tag in both Europe and the world. And I could absolutely imagine living here myself.”

Beyond the celebrated coffee house scene that Ed experienced in Vienna, visitors will find no shortage of attractions throughout the city. Austria’s capital boasts an array of stunning Baroque churches alongside architectural gems such as the vibrant Hundertwasserhaus and the Wiener Riesenrad, an impressive 64-metre-high Ferris wheel.

Travel expert Mark Wolter, from Wolter’s World, was full of praise for Vienna’s culinary offerings. He explained: “The cakes, the food, yeah you have your Wiener Schnitzel and your hot dogs but there’s so many great foods, pork, duck, all this food from all over the holy Roman empire, because you have Hungarian goulash or pasta from those times.”

Mark describes Austria as a “really cool” tourist destination, particularly highlighting the quality of accommodation and transport links. He noted: “Whether it’s trains, buses or trams they have this all out there, which is really cool to use as a tourist.

“The museums will have things usually in German but they’ll have cards in English to help you.”

Beyond Austria’s charming historic towns, Mark urges visitors to explore the country’s rich cultural offerings and stunning natural landscapes. “I like to tell people, if you want to get cultured come to Austria, because there’s so much of the museums, architecture and history,” Mark added.

Flight comparison site Skyscanner reveals that travelling to Vienna can be remarkably affordable, with one-way tickets from Manchester Airport starting at just £19, whilst return flights from Bristol can be snapped up for around £35.