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Pretty Greek island to CLOSE its only airport until next year with all flights suspended

ONE island in Greece is scheduled to close its only airport for four months for major work to its runway.

Chios Airport is set to suspend all flights from November 15 until March 15 2027.

The island is the fifth biggest in Greece with around 50,000 residents – but it is set to be shut off to visitors for four months.

Work includes extending and upgrading to be ready for the tourist season next summer, according to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA).

Currently the runway is short at 1,511 meters long which means that wide bodied aircraft cannot land here.

It only takes smaller propeller planes or narrow-body aircraft.

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So to get to the island, tourists including Brits, need to fly to Athens or Thessaloniki before taking a smaller connecting plane over to the island.

However, this is set to change as work on the runway will see it extended to be 1,799m long which means that it will be able to accommodate much larger types of aircraft.

During the works, emergency flights will be permitted to land, which includes medical evacuations, search and rescue.

However, there is some opposition to the plans.

Agia Markella Beach on Chios Island, Greece, featuring turquoise water, a rocky hill, and shaded loungers under a blue sky.
The runway will be extended to accommodate larger aircraft Credit: Alamy
An aerial view of an airport runway situated near a coastline, with mountains visible in the distance.
Currently the airport can only accommodate smaller aircraft Credit: Unknown

President of the Chios chamber of commerce Pantelis Legatos said: “The early closure will seriously affect the economy and society of the island, especially during the holiday season (Christmas, New Year), when people have planned trips, family visits and medical appointments.

“Chios, as a border island 5 miles from Turkey, depends on the air connection with the capital for health, entertainment and freedom reasons.”

The original plan was to close the airport on January 15 which is months later than the current schedule.

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Greek airport to shut for four months with all flights cancelled

The work will take four months and see the airport shut over the festive period with local authorities and business owners urging the for the dates of the work to be changed

A Greek airport will close for four months as major runway upgrades are completed.

Chios Island National Airport in Greece will close between November 15, 2026 and March 15, 2027 for the work to take place.

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority say the project will extend the runway to 1,799 metres to accommodate larger aircraft ahead of the 2027 tourist season.

The work will see all commercial flights canceled. Emergency operations, including medical evacuations and search and rescue flights, however, will continue using helicopters operating from the parking apron.

As well as extending the runway to the north, the upgrades will also see an overall improvement of the airport’s operational infrastructure.

Originally the work was expected to take five months but it is now scheduled to only take four.

The plans have been strongly objected to by local authorities and business leaders, who see the winter closure as ‘economic strangulation’ for the small island.

They have come up with an alternative timeline that allows the airport to remain open during the Christmas and New Year Holiday.

The mayor of Chios, Giannis Malafis, said it was crucial the island’s airport remained open during the festive period.

He insisted that any decision on the future of the project should be taken in consultation with local bodies and Chios society.

Island representatives are still seeking clear answers on the duration of the shutdown and how this is expected to impact the local economy.

The contractor has pledged to make every effort to speed up the works, with the aim of getting the project done by 28 February.

However, this does not make any difference to the holiday season that is creating concerns for locals.

The HCAA notes that its goal is to limit the runway closure to the shortest possible period.

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Italy cuts flights by HALF today with hundreds of delays and cancellations

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.

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The travel website selling £9 flights, £16 hotels and £118 package holidays to Brits

IF you’re desperate for a getaway but don’t want to spend loads, it might be time to look beyond the usual high street holiday agents.

We’ve found a lesser-known booking site where you can bag entire package holidays from just £118, hotel rooms from £16 a night, and flights for as little as £9.

Your next holiday could be closer than you think with these bargain getaways Credit: Alamy

Browse cheap holidays, flights and hotels on Opodo

Opodo acts as a massive travel search engine, scouring hundreds of airlines and millions of hotels to pull together some of the absolute cheapest deals on the internet.

As a travel writer who scours the internet each week for the cheapest holidays for Sun readers, these are some of the lowest travel fares I’ve ever seen.

So whether you’re after a quick weekend city break, a week-long beach escape, or even a solo travel retreat – here’s our guide to the very best travel bargains on Opodo right now.

Package holidays

Package hols are where you get the most bang for your buck on Opodo, as you can save up to 40% extra by booking your flights and hotel together through the website.

Read more on cheap holidays

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We’ve rounded up a selection of some of the most affordable package holidays on the site.

Or you can click here to browse all cheap package holidays.

Mallorca – from £121pp

Boat sailing, Majorca island, Spain. Cala Marmol Credit: Getty

With flight times around two and a half hours, Mallorca is an easy hop away for some autumn sun, with pleasant October temperatures of around 24C.

Spend your days exploring the winding, cobbled streets of Alcudia’s Old Town, hiking the spectacular Serra de Tramuntana mountains, or soaking up the sun on the pristine white sands of Es Trenc.

Browse Mallorca holidays from £121pp

Tenerife – from £147pp

Playa de las Teresitas in Tenerife Credit: Getty

The flight to Tenerife is only four hours from the UK, yet it still reaches highs of 26C in October.

Once you’re there, stroll the volcanic beaches of Costa Adeje, enjoy €3 tapas in traditional tavernas, hit up award-winning waterpark Siam Park or even go whale watching.

Browse Tenerife holidays from £147pp

The Algarve – from £118pp

Beautiful village of Carvoeiro in the Algarve, Portugal Credit: Getty

Autumn is the perfect time to visit Portugal‘s stunning southern coast, offering warm highs of 25C without the overwhelming summer crowds.

Wander around the bustling Olhao fish market, hike along dramatic coastal cliffs to see the spectacular rock formations, or simply relax on the golden sands of Praia dos Pescadores right by Albufeira’s old town.

Browse Algarve holidays from £118pp

Rome – from £119pp

You don’t need a huge budget to experience Rome, especially with Opodo offering package holidays from £119pp.

In the Italian capital the streets themselves are their own attraction. Soak up the atmosphere at the Spanish Steps, or toss a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain.

Browse Rome holidays from £119pp

Flights

You could fly to Barcelona from £9 if you’re signed up to Opodo Prime Credit: Getty

Opodo offers super cheap flights to destinations in Europe and beyond, but they get even cheaper if you join Opodo Prime.

For example, you can bag a one-way flight to Barcelona for £24 each way, but if you’re signed up to Opodo Prime this sinks down to £9.

It costs £8.99 a month and also gets you discounts on hotels, so if you like to go on holiday regularly, it could save you some serious cash.

We’ve rounded up the cheapest flight deals we could find on Opodo.

Or you can click here to browse all flights.

  • Barcelona – from £24 each way (Prime price: £9)
  • Faro – from £37 each way (Prime price: £12)
  • Milan – from £39 each way (Prime price: £22)
  • Edinburgh – from £25 each way (Prime price: £9)
  • Dublin – from £25 each way (Prime price: £12)
  • Amsterdam – from £111 each way (Prime price: £56)

Browse cheap flights from £9 each way

Hotels

We found a Marrakech hotel from £16 per night on Opodo Credit: Alamy

If you prefer planning your own holidays by booking flights and hotels separately, there’s some bargains to be had on the hotels page, too.

This is a good option if you like to regularly book flights directly with the same airline in order to collect points.

Here’s our selection of bargain hotels we found on Opodo (prices per night).

Or you can click here to browse all cheap hotels.

  • Amsterdam – from £37
  • London – from £50
  • Barcelona – from £45
  • Lisbon – from £43
  • Paris – from £48
  • Rome – from £30
  • Milan – from £24
  • Prague – from £22
  • Marrakech – from £16

Browse cheap hotels from £16 per night

Prices correct at the time of publication.

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Ryanair to axe all flights to European city affecting 500,000 seats

RYANAIR is cancelled all flights to a European airport next year, – which works out to half a million seats.

As of early 2027, the airline will no longer fly to the German city of Bremen.

Ryanair has announced it is axing all flights to and from Bremen in Germany Credit: Alamy
The city currently has a direct route from London Stansted which will end in April 2027 Credit: Alamy

Currently, Ryanair offers daily flights from London Stansted to Bremen for as little as £15.

But in a new announcement, these will come to an end in April 2027.

On the Ryanair website, it appears tickets for the final flights to Bremen are scheduled for March 27, 2027.

The German city is known for its maritime history and gothic look that some often say looks ‘fairytale-like’.

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With Ryanair withdrawing the route, there will be no direct links to Bremen from the UK.

Those wanting to visit the German city will have to take stopover flights which can take over double the time.

The shortest is with KLM, which has a stopover in Amsterdam and takes three hours and 20minutes.

Last year, Ryanair announced it would be dropping 24 routes to and from Germany, cutting nearly 800,000 seats in total.

It was revealed that nine airports would be affected, along with the plans of those wanting a winter break, and including major cities that are popular with tourists.

These are:

  • Berlin
  • Hamburg
  • Memmingen
  • Baden-Württemberg
  • Cologne
  • Frankfurt-Hahn
  • Dortmund
  • Dresden
  • Leipzig
Bremen has been compared to a ‘fairytale’ by visitors Credit: Alamy

In April of this year, the airline confirmed it would be reducing its flight schedule to and from Berlin by 50 per cent.

Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson said back in August: “Germany’s air travel market is broken and needs an urgent fix.

“As a result of these high government taxes/fees (the highest in Europe), and Lufthansa’s high-fare monopoly, German citizens/visitors now pay the highest air fares in Europe.”



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Our favourite European cities PERFECT for autumn with £15 flights, £1 pints and still T-shirt weather

AUTUMN is the perfect time for a city break holiday abroad.

Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and quieter restaurants – there’s something to be said for a long weekend post-summer.

And with hundreds of countries under our belts, as the Travel Team at The Sun, we know which are the best spots to visit after summer but before winter is in full swing.

Here are our favourite cities to visit this autumn, along with our top tips, cheap pints and very affordable flights thrown in.

Warsaw, Poland

Try the cosy Hala Koszyki food hall for some fantastic food Credit: Alamy

Known as the Grinch by friends due to my ambivalence to Christmas, Warsaw is the perfect place to visit in autumn before the festive season takes over.

Not only is it also frequently named one of the cheapest city break destinations, but it was named top city to visit by European Best Destinations 2026.

The architecture of the city is stunning, with historic 17th century buildings compared to the more modern Brutalist blocks.

Start with a wander around the beautiful Old Town which was reconstructed after WWII, when 85 per cent of it was destroyed.

Then head over to the Neon Museum, with hundreds of huge neon signs from the Cold War (one to get your camera out for, definitely).

The food scene is fantastic too – I highly rate Momu which specialises in Polish dishes using a smoke-roasting oven, or huge food hall Hala Koszyki which was the first of its kind in the city.

You can find really cheap hotels – ibis budgets start from as little as £35 (so £17.50 each), while Ryanair flights are £30 return. So a mega cheap holiday!

Or you can find two-night city breaks for just over £100pp with loveholidays. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is still warm but just as beautiful outside of summer with lots to do Credit: Alamy
How about trying to design your own street art on a graffiti workshop?

The Portuguese capital comes into its own in autumn, with oodles of sunshine and warm temperatures perfect for exploring its maze of hilly streets, grand squares and spectacular architecture.

I’ve just returned from a perfect weekend break that went beyond the tourist trail with the help of the new Andaz Lisbon hotel (rooms from £242 a night).

Just steps from the grand, riverfront square Praca do Comercio, the hotel in a former grand bank has a spectacular rooftop restaurant and bar.

Their exclusive experiences pair you with locals to delve deeper – like renowned street artist Migeul Brum who not only gave us a whistle-stop tour of some incredible murals and installations but allowed us to get hands on and create our own with a graffiti workshop.

Their Seven Hills by Night revealed some of the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods for fun after dark.

We sipped classic cocktails in hidden speakeasy Foxtrot and enjoyed a live performance of traditional Fado music at Bohemia Lx Se.

And for a glimpse of the glorious seafaring history, a tuk tuk tour took us to the arty district of Belem where we explored the Belem Tower and Monument to the Discoveries.

And of course, no visit to the district would be complete without sampling the irresistible custard tarts at the original bakery, Pastels de Belem.

Flights to Lisbon from £14.99 from the UK. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Tallin, Estonia

You can get pints of hot chocolate – the perfect drink for an autumnal stay Credit: Alamy

The capital of Estonia might not be your first thought for a city break but it should be. 

With a three-hour flight time, the city is far enough away to feel a bit more of an autumn chill but not so far that the flight feels like a strain.

Tallinn is an easy city to walk around; all the main sights are close to each other, especially in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town.

Here you’ll find Gothic spires, cobbled alleyways and the Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum which even explores the city’s coffee culture. 

And everything is super cheap – I managed to visit the KGB Prison Cells and then grab lunch afterward for around £15.

A pint will set you back a few euros, as will a PINT of hot chocolate – yes really.

The benefit of go in autumn  is that the freezing weather of winter hasn’t quite kicked in yet and you can enjoy exploring the city crowd-free.

With LastMinute.com, you could head away for three nights to Citybox Tallinn City Center Hotel, which has a modern interior and light airy rooms for £194pp for three nights including flights. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Seville, Spain

Seville comes into its own in shoulder seasons Credit: Alamy

Seville is the Spanish city that comes alive in shoulder season – seeing as summer has unbearable highs that approach 40C.

But that drops off in autumn, meaning you can get some post-summer warmth within just a few hours.

And there are some fantastic, must-see attractions, from the Seville Cathedral (the largest gothic cathedral in the world) and the Moorish Royal Alcazar of Seville.

Skip the expensive flamenco shows and watch the many free performances in the parks.

The ultimate cheap breakfast is at Bar Alfafa, a tiny restaurant squeezed between two roads where you will find coffee and toast for just €2.10 (£1.78), as long as you can find a table between the locals.

The beauty of Spain is that wine is cheap (expect to pay around €2-€3 (£1.69-£2.54) per glass), but head to the local chain 100 Montaditos where you can get beers for under €1.50 (£1.27).

TUI has three-night breaks for as little as £180 each, with your hotel and flights thrown in. 

Cheap booze, quick flights and 28C highs in autumn – what more could you want? Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Vilnius, Lithuania

Go back in time as the leaves change colour in Vilnius Credit: Getty

If you aren’t still longing after lounging about on beaches or sun-searching, but are ready to embrace autumn in all its glory, I’d say a trip to Vilnius is on the cards.

The capital of Lithuania, especially its medieval Old Town is beautiful with cobblestone streets, towering church towers and shops with autumnal window displays.

With its old-school look, I felt almost as if I’d stepped back in time.

It’s quiet too as Lithuania gets far fewer visitors in general than the likes of Spain or Portugal.

When I popped out early on a Sunday morning for a wander around the Old Town, it was practically deserted.

To make it even better, food and drink is cheap too. One cafe called Vynomanai sold coffee for €2 (£1.70) and beer for €3 (£2.55).

The best snack I tried and a must-try is called kepta duona. Essentially it’s fried bread in garlic – which is like the UK’s version of pork scratchings.

Flights start from £19 with Ryanair, or Loveholidays has seven-night breaks from £249pp. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The famous canals come alive in autumn Credit: Alamy

Amsterdam is big on nature. Canals weave between its Baroque buildings and the cobblestone streets are lined by bushy trees that look even more spectacular in the autumn months, painting the streets in shades of red and orange.

While summer time is all about beer, the coming months focus on hot and cosy tipples like Warme Chocolademelk (Dutch Hot Chocolate) and Gluwhein (similar to mulled wine), both from around €4.

Grab yourself a glass from one of the traditional brown bars which tend to feature large windows from which visitors can watch the world go by, drink in hand.

Make sure to gobble back some Dutch classics. Comfort food is a staple in these parts and autumn is the perfect time of year to sample them.

Keep your eyes peeled for Stamppot, a hearty dish, made of mashed potato, sausages and sauerkraut – Moeders in the Jordaan whips up a truly authentic version.

Make sure to pick up some stroopwafels, too, a classic sweet treat which comprises of sticky caramel sandwiched between two thin, circular waffles.

You can still bag EasyJet flights from around £25 from London airports in November this year. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Tirana, Albania

Tirana is often overlooked in favour of the Albanian Riviera but its a beautiful weekend destination Credit: Alamy

It takes around three hours to reach the capital of Albania and once you’re there, there is plenty to do over a weekend at a leisurely pace. 

In the centre of the city, visit Skanderbeg Square, the city’s central plaza featuring a towering clock tower. 

Another top spot is the free Pyramid of Tirana – it’s a bit of a work-out to reach the top but the view of the city is well worth it. 

And if there is one thing you shouldn’t miss, make sure to visit Bunk’Art 1 & 2 which are massive underground Cold War bunkers converted into museums, including one all about surveillance.

Street food will cost you a few quid and coffee or a pint is under £2 each. 

What’s even better is that return flights cost as little as £28 per person. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Paris, France

Get some Christmas shopping done in the world’s fashion capital Credit: Alamy
It’s one of the best places to come for food and shopping, says Sophie

I can think of no better place than Paris to transition you from summer, seamlessly into the cosy season. For me, it’s the shopping that draws me back year after year.

It is the fashion capital of the world, after all.

So make sure to travel with an empty suitcase so you can pick out your winter wardrobe while you’re here from the many vintage boutiques littered around the Le Marais district in the 3rd and 4th Arrondissements.

Here you’ll find classic kilo shops that sell bargain items priced by weight – you could pick up a whole outfit for €15.

Plus the city is just a hop, skip and a jumper over the Channel, reachable by plane, train or car – take your pick.

The culinary scene is another huge draw in autumn, too. Now is time to trade out the rosé wine for something more wintry and, in my opinion, no where in the world produces better red wine than France.

Le Barav, in the same region as the vintage shops, houses a wine shop on one side and restaurant on the other.

You can go and pick your wine for a supermarket price and then pay a €7 corkage fee to drink it in the restaurant area while tucking into a cracking charcuterie and cheese platter.

Wowcher city breaks with flights included start from £99. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

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Malaysia’s Firefly cancels flights to Singapore over haze from Indonesia | Climate Crisis News

Move comes as haze from Indonesian fires makes Singapore and Kuala Lumpur the world’s most polluted cities.

Firefly, a Malaysian low-cost airline, has extended the suspension of its flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore through Wednesday as smoke from fires in Indonesia continued to blanket the region.

The announcement came as IQAir, an air quality monitor, ranked Singapore and the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur as the world’s two most polluted cities on Tuesday.

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Firefly said in a statement that flights between the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) near Kuala Lumpur and the Seletar Airport in Singapore (XSP) have been cancelled up to Wednesday due to “weather and haze conditions”.

It called the action a “proactive safety measure”.

The fires, mostly on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, are the country’s most intense in 11 years. They have been spurred by El Nino, a weather pattern expected to be among the strongest in four decades.

IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring company, said Air Quality Index in Singapore stood at 199 on Tuesday and 183 in Kuala Lumpur. Readings above 150 are generally considered unhealthy, and those above 300 are classified as hazardous.

Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group, which includes Malaysia Airlines, first announced the flight cancellations on October 10, citing “low visibility” due to the haze conditions.

Firefly said that affected passengers were being rebooked on Malaysia Airlines flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Singapore’s Changi Airport, subject to seat availability.

The Singapore government has reintroduced subsidised care for haze-related illnesses, as it last did in 2015, when smoke from Indonesian fires hung over the region for weeks.

In Malaysia, schools reopened in most states on Tuesday as air quality improved slightly, but they remain closed in three states, one federal territory and several districts.

Malaysia’s foreign minister, Mohamad Hasan, said on Monday that he would press for stronger regional mechanisms when foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meet next month.

“We already have an ASEAN mechanism for natural disasters, but haze is not included or classified as a natural disaster,” he told reporters in Sepang, according to Bernama, Malaysia’s state news agency.

The Philippines, which chairs the bloc this year, confirmed that the issue would be on the agenda.

“It’s in the agenda,” Dominic Xavier Imperial, a spokesman for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, said of the November meeting, which will precede the 49th ASEAN summit in Manila.

Mohamad, the Malaysian minister, said Indonesia had deployed about 60,000 personnel to fight the fires, but thick smoke had grounded 34 aircraft, including planes and helicopters.

Remote terrain and limited water supplies have also hindered the effort, he said, and cloud seeding is not possible without suitable rain clouds. He acknowledged Indonesia’s efforts but urged more effective action, citing the toll on Malaysian communities.

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