flights

Fans of the classic cocktail, which has seen a huge resurgence in popularity in recent years, should head to this sunny city where you can enjoy a glass of the summery orange drink for just one Euro

Head to the Mediterranean during the summer months and you’ll often see tables laden with oversized glasses of Aperol Spritz. The iconic orange cocktail has become a holiday staple, whether it’s served at a pavement café in a cobblestoned old town, or a beachfront bar with plastic chairs.

But like many so aspects of holidays, the price has been steadily rising in popular resorts, turning it into a costly treat. However, there are still places where you can pick up an inexpensive cocktail, and one city has been named the cheapest spot to enjoy an ice cold Aperol.

Travel money provider eurochange has put together an Aperol Spritz index, tracking the top ten cheapest destinations in Europe where you can enjoy this summery cocktail without worrying about your bar bill, and luckily the least expensive spot is just a three-hour flight from the UK.

According to the research, Naples in Italy is the cheapest place to order your Aperol with the average cost coming in at €2 (approximately £1.73), but one bar is famous for serving these sunset cocktails for just one Euro (approximately 86p). Don’t expect a fancy cocktail bar if you visit Cammarota Spritz as it consists of tables crammed into an alleyway and drinks served in plastic cups, but the lively atmosphere has seen it receive a raft of positive reviews, with one saying it was: “Our favourite bar in Naples, no messing about with ‘drink-in’ or ‘takeaway’ prices, no service charges, just good cheap Spritz.”

And after a few Euro spritzes, you may find yourself craving another Napoli staple; the city is the birthplace of modern pizza, and you’ll find plenty of hole-in-the-wall places where you can pick up a slice. A popular late-night snack is pizza al portafoglio, also known as ‘wallet pizza’ as it comes folded and served in paper so you can devour it while walking back to your hotel.

Naples is ideal for as a spring or autumn city break, offering about 210 sunny days a year, so you can enjoy the winding historic streets and visit attractions such as Museo Cappella Sansevero, home of the stunning marble Veiled Christ statue.

Explore the city’s ancient sites at Napoli Sotterranea – underground Naples – taking you through an extensive network of streets and squares built under the surface by Romans and Greeks. Pass throw the narrow tunnels of the aqueduct, see old air raid shelters from World War 2, and climb through a hatch into the ancient Roman theatre of Neapolis.

Naples also has a variety of beaches, including some small stretches of sand on the outskirts of the city. These urban beaches can be small and busy during heatwaves, but they’re perfect for when you simply want a quick dip in the Med.

You can also take buses further down the coast for a day at a beach club or a public beach. Close to Naples you’ll find Gaiola Beach, famous for its islets that rise from the sea that can be crossed by bridge. Or the craggy coastline of Scoglione Marechiaro, famous for its turquoise waters.

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

The airline shared an update for passengers in a post on social media

Ryanair has shared a ‘fuel update’ for passengers. The airline shared the news on social media, explaining that it is making changes to flights. Posting on YouTube, Ryanair shared an overview of its plans to improve flights over the coming years.

The video was titled: “Pathway to net zero carbon emissions goal.” As part of the changes, the airline said flights will produce less noise and require less fuel, among other benefits. Ryanair describes itself as Europe’s largest airline group.

In the post, Ryanair told customers: “We’ve developed a pathway to achieve our net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050, which aligns with the Paris Agreement and the aviation industry’s Destination 2050 initiative. Ryanair’s pathway aims to show incremental progress in decarbonising in line with EU climate targets are possible.”

In the video, the airline highlighted key areas of change. Ryanair started by discussing the benefits of new technology, such as 210 ‘game-changer’ aircraft, which deliver 16% less fuel usage and 40% less noise.

Ryanair also shared how sustainable aviation fuel can reduce lifecycle emissions by 80%. As well as how measures, such as single-engine taxiing and dynamic flight planning, can improve efficiency.

On its website, Ryanair shared further details for passengers interested in its plans. The airline said 32% of its carbon-emission reduction targets would come from technological and operational improvements, 34% from increased use of sustainable aviation fuel, 10% from the Single European Sky initiative, and 24% from offsetting and similar measures.

Ryanair’s website says: “We have teamed up with Trinity College Dublin to put in place a number of innovative actions to accelerate the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). By appointing best-in class researchers, we’ll achieve our goal of powering 12.5% of our flights with SAF by 2030.”

Destination 2050 describes itself as an industry alliance committed to climate-neutral European aviation. The website says: “We believe that together, policy-makers and the industry we can make net zero CO2 emissions happen by 2050. European aviation is committed to play its part and ensure that air transport can continue to grow sustainably in the future.

“By 2030, net CO2 emissions from intra-European flights would be reduced by 55% compared to 1990 levels through a combination of fleet renewal, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), operational improvements and the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) –in line with the new EU climate goal for 2030.”

Why is CO2 bad for the environment?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that holds heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Although it is essential for maintaining the planet’s warmth, human actions have led to a significant increase in its levels, intensifying the greenhouse effect and causing global warming, severe weather events, and ocean acidification.

FANCY a last-minute getaway in June? You can still get one with plenty of one-way flights under £30 and to destinations that are over 25C.

Sun Travel reveals our favourite holiday spots with cheap flights in the next two weeks, from Greece to sunny European islands and pretty cities.

Corfu, Greece

“It’s shocking that you can get to a Greek island for less than £30 and with Wizz Air, flights are as little as £18.

“Just over three hours away and you’ll reach the olive grove paradise of Corfu with beautiful blue bay beaches that in June averages at 30C.

“I love Greece mostly for the food and Corfu has lots of spots where you can indulge in a fresh feta salad with juicy tomatoes alongside a refreshing local Greek beer.

“Have a dip in the ocean at Faliraki, and make sure to pick up some locally made olive oil as a souvenir too.

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“For anyone who loves history, head to the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Paleokastritsa. It’s quite the hike but the views from the top are unbeatable.

“If you can, take a day trip across to Paxi or Paxos, a tiny island seven miles south of Corfu with sea caves and white cobbles beaches.” – Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill

Nice, France

“Nice is an astonishingly short plane ride from the UK, given how exotic it feels. Just 2 hours and 5 minutes in the air, and you’re suddenly on the French Riviera – and flights in June are £18.

“I’ve spent many summers on that stunning stretch of coast, first on family holidays as a kid, then as a showbiz reporter at the Cannes Film Festival and most recently on family trips as a mum myself.

“It is easily one of my favourite places in Europe, thanks to the glorious scenery and the fantastic food.

“My best tip would be to avoid the pricey cab fares and stick to the many beautiful towns that run along the riviera train line.”

“For instance, Villefranche Sur Mer is a sleek, picturesque seaside village that has all of the beauty of its fancier neighbours, but less of the tourists.

“With a lovely sandy beach, a pretty harbour, and a quaint old town featuring 13-century cobbled streets, there is something for everyone.

“Grab a baguette, a bottle of wine and some stinky cheese from the supermarket for under 10 euros in total and enjoy a picnic on the sand or in the pine trails behind the village.

“This is a perfect spot to base yourself with Airbnbs from £86 a night, then you can take the train along the coast anywhere from Monaco and Nice, to Antibes and Cannes in under an hour.” – Head of Sun Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire

Cagliari, Italy

“Sardinia is a beautiful Italian island that actually sits closer to Africa than the mainland.

“But when it comes to visiting the island, most will head to Olbia in the north – instead, I suggest venturing south to the capital Cagliari.

“This quiet and quaint city can easily be explored in a day, with colourful architecture and over 140 churches and religious buildings.

“The best thing to do in the city? Head on the Underground Cagliari tour with Viator, which will take you to three historic sites all underground, including passages used as bomb shelters under a school, a crypt and prison and uncovered Roman ruins (£26 per person).

“Wander around the city and you will also see several defensive towers marking the perimeter of the ancient city, with the most extravagant of them being Bastione de Saint Remy – a huge former military fortress.”

“One-way flights start from £28 in June.”- Travel Reporter, Cyann Fielding

Rome, Italy

“Rome is a city of passion. Whether that’s due to the fiery locals, who emphasise every word with a hand gesticulation, or because of its sordid history, the scars of which are still present today, who knows.

“But that passion is what gives the place its buzz and you can see it all on the cheap as flights start from £15.

“If you’re new to the city, I couldn’t recommend a Fiat 500 sightseeing tour enough (rome500exp.com).

“You’ll cruise around in vintage motors, ticking off all the key sights including the mighty colosseum and Gianicolo Hill where you can soak up one of the best views of the city.

“The Vatican is, of course, a must. But make sure to book one of the queue jump tours for first thing in the morning – it gets very busy, very quickly and unless you’re willing to stand and wait for hours, this is the only way.

“As for food… pizza, pasta, gelato, they’re all staples in the Roman diet.
If you’re near the Colosseum, try Zia Rosetta which serves mega sandwiches stuffed with traditional ham fillings.” – Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

“If you want some (almost) guaranteed sun, Lanzarote is a safe bet for a June getaway.

“Daytime temperatures usually sit around 27C, rain is virtually non-existent, and a one-way flight is £18 with Ryanair – you can’t beat it really.

“On my visit, I stayed near Playa Blanca, which is Lanzarote’s southernmost resor,s scattered with beach bars, restaurants and small sandy bays.

“It can be busy, but if you carry on walking along the front, you’re bound to find a much quieter spot.

“You can’t beat sitting out at one of the sea-facing bars with a cheap beer, soaking up the sunshine with a glass of Dorada you can pick up for €3 (£2.59).” –Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill

Valetta, Malta

“When I first visited Malta, several years ago, my only holiday demands were: guaranteed sunshine, decent food and flights that wouldn’t break the bank – and that’s exactly what I got.

“My girlfriends and I had booked a sweet little apartment overlooking St Julian’s Bay, an area littered with waterfront restaurants and a charming old-world feel to it.

“I remember the water being as clear and turquoise as the Caribbean Sea, with the dinky boats bobbing atop.

“At the weekend we caught the bus to Marsaxlokk where a traditional fishing market still operates every Sunday – get there in the early to mid morning to avoid the crowds.

“We came home with stacks of fresh prawns for only a few euros that we sizzled on the barbecue back at our apartment.

“Make sure to visit the capital Valletta while you’re here, too. The city is significant in British history and it became a hub for the Royal Navy in the 19th century.

“Pop into St. John’s Co-Cathedral, one of the most beautiful baroque structures I’ve ever laid eyes on.

“Flights to Valletta start from £18 in June“. – Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski

Paris, France

“There’s a reason why Paris is a dream destination for so many.

“Incredible food, glitzy nightlife, plus some of Europe’s top art galleries and museums.

“What’s great about Paris is that there’s so many types of trip you can take, making it the kind of city you can visit again and again.

“Spend a romantic weekend in the cobbled streets of Montmartre, where you can watch the sun set over the city from the highest point in Paris. Soak up the views from the steps of The Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

“Or spend a week with the family at Disneyland Paris, where you can explore their new World of Frozen – a new attraction we’re lucky to have right on our doorstep as Brits.

“My favourite way to visit Paris is as a girly holiday. Hit the Galeries Lafayette for world-famous shopping, then grab some boujee Instagram pictures together in the Palais Garnier.

“Make sure to go for brunch in Mon Crème, where dried flowers drape from the ceiling and candlesticks give the cosy restaurant a warm glow – plus I would fly over just to eat their Duck Confit again.

“With £28 return flights on Skyscanner, ticking off one of the world’s dreamiest capital cities can cost you less than going out for lunch.” – Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens

Pisa, Italy

“Let’s face it, Italy‘s Pisa is famous for its leaning tower in the city centre and you can see it for yourself for £15 with Ryanair.

“Before you get to the tower, take a leisurely stroll along the Arno River where there are lots of cafes and restaurants.

“I stopped into Bottega for a tasty strawberry and kiwi smoothie for €5 (£4.32) – the same price as a glass of wine, I might add.

“Further into the city, there are shopping streets, some designer outlets and plenty of places to grab a souvenir too.

“I found it does get very busy once you get to the Leaning Tower of Pisa – and a trip is not complete without the mandatory photo outside pretending to push the building upright.

“It can take a while to get into the right position, but I discovered the biggest challenge is trying not to get too many other tourists doing exactly the same thing in the background.” Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill

Crete, Greece

“You can hop over to Crete for £18 each way – not a bad deal for a trip to the largest Greek island.

“Just an hour’s drive from Chania airport will land you in Rethymno, a coastal city with a sprawling Old Town full of surprises.

“Stroll along the Venetian Harbour to watch colourful fishing boats bob, overlooked by a charming stone lighthouse which was built in 1830.

“Then dip into your pick of tavernas to try some Dakos, a delicious Cretan bruschetta with some local wine.

“After an afternoon exploring the maze-like streets, come back for dinner to try one of the best burgers you’ll ever have.

“Mojo Burgers is a strikingly modern burger joint in the heart of the Old Town, serving up sloppy American-style burgers oozing with flavour.

“Make sure to sign your name on the wall once you’ve eaten to follow tradition.” – Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens

*Prices correct at the time of publication

The UK airline is cutting flights to and from three destination in its schedule this summer due to financial pressures including the increase in fuel costs and airport fees

A UK airline is set to cut flights to three destinations next month due to financial pressures.

Loganair offers passengers flights to and from destinations across the UK and France, including London, Glasgow, Paris and Edinburgh.

However, the airline has announced that it cannot continue to run all current routes “without impacting the wider business”.

From July 19, Loganair will reduce flights between Inverness and Stornoway, Orkney, and Shetland.

Daily flights currently run from Inverness to Orkney (Kirkwall) and Shetland (Sumburgh) with a regular service also flying to Stornoway.

However, following the cuts, flights between these destinations will only operate on weekends.

Chief executive of Loganair, Luke Farajallah, told the BBC, said: “We do not take these decisions lightly.”

He continued: “The recent increase in fuel prices, together with escalations in aircraft repair costs, airport fees and route charges, mean that Loganair, Hial and Transport Scotland must find a way to sustain lifeline routes where passenger numbers are limited.

“These routes matter to us and to the communities they serve, but we must balance that commitment with the long-term sustainability of Loganair and the wider network those communities also rely on.”

Mr Farajallah said that full services could resume in October if more funding was secured.

Hial, owned by the Scottish government, have offered a support package but it warned that any assistance must be affordable.

Passengers wanting to fly with easyJet could get some pretty cheap deals

Booking flights can be expensive, with many people clicking on random days of the week to find the best deal. But did you know two days of the week are likely to be better than the rest?

Travel experts at easyJet say that while the ‘cheapest day to fly’ often depends on factors like destination and flight availability, there are two days of the week you really want to look out for. The airline says: “The cheapest day of the week to fly can vary depending on the destination, flights available, and time of year.

“However, we’d recommend being flexible with your dates and considering flying outside of peak weekend flight times. By booking to fly on Wednesday or Thursday rather than Friday, you can find bargain flights (and get more time at your destination!).”

What is the cheapest month to fly in?

The low-cost airline also noted that the start and end of the year are key periods to look for if you want a trip that won’t break the bank. It adds: “The cheapest month to fly often depends on the destination and the type of trip you’re planning.

“For traditional warm-weather destinations in Spain or Italy, you can often find the cheapest plane tickets in the winter months of January and February. If you’re booking a trip to the mountains or traditional winter destinations like Finland, you’ll often find cheaper flights in November or March.”

As one of the world’s largest airlines, it operates a fleet of 355 aircraft, connecting 164 airports in 38 countries through 1,207 routes. While booking flights during these specific days and months is not a guarantee of the best deal, it urges people to use its Low Fare Finder when searching for the cheapest flight dates to secure the best deals.

Mum blocked from easyJet flight and left £700 out of pocket

In other easyJet news, a mother was prevented from boarding an easyJet flight with her family and lost £700 after being caught out by a crucial passport rule.

Bolaji Omisade was looking forward to a family trip to Greece and arrived at London Gatwick Airport with her husband and three sons. However, after checking in at the airport, easyJet staff informed her that she was not permitted to board the flight.

Confused by the situation, she was informed at check-in that, although her passport had not yet expired, it was no longer valid for travel due to passport regulations. You can read the full story here to make sure that you don’t fall foul of the same rule.

BUDGET airline Wizz Air has warned that it could be forced to cut UK routes due to rising costs.

It comes after air passenger duty (APD) was raised in April – a tax on airlines that is usually then passed onto passengers by increasing flight fares.

Wizz Air boss József Váradi said that the airline will now look at whether the rise in APD will impact demand for its flights and depending on the results, whether any of the airlines routes should be cancelled.

The APD rise in April hit a record high and further increases are expected in the future.

On economy flight fares, APD rose from £13 to £15 in April, to most destinations across Europe.

For Brits travelling on holiday, this means that a family of four could be spending an extra £60 (£8 more than previously) before even adding luggage to their flight booking.

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While Wizz Air has not confirmed which flights are at risk, the airline currently flies to 77 destinations from the UK including holiday hotspots such as Alicante, Tenerife and Majorca in Spain.

The airline boss added that while Wizz Air is mostly happy with its services from the UK, “issues affecting the UK airline industry like APD charge increases” cannot be ignored.

He said: “We have to evaluate how exactly that plays out on our network, our customer base and our financial performance and make decisions accordingly.”

“If the cost of business is going up, that will result in capacity rationalisation if you are unable to pass it on to customers.”

The APD rise comes at a time when many airlines are already feeling the financial pressure of rising air fuel costs.

Váradi added: “I do not think the UK should be overcharging airline customers to raise funds for other activities and commitments, because this is going to undermine airlines and the UK is going to lose out on tourism at the end of the day.”

Sun Travel has contacted Wizz Air for comment.

The Competition and Markets Authority is investigating whether Ryanair’s practice of charging parents around £8 each way to sit with their children on flights is a breach of the law

Budget airline Ryanair is being investigated over its practice of charging parents to sit with their children on flights.

Watchdog the Competition and Markets Authority said it will decide whether it is “in line with consumer law”. Ryanair responded by branding the probe “bogus” and a “failed effort by the Starmer Government to pretend it cares about consumers”.

The Irish carrier requires at least one parent to sit with their children aged between two and 11, according to the watchdog. But it does this through what the airline calls a mandatory family seat, which typically costs about £8 each way. Paying to reserve a seat is optional for other passengers.

The CMA is investigating whether Ryanair’s approach means “parents are being charged for the airline to meet its child safety and disability-related obligations as set out under aviation rules”. Ryanair is “the only major airline flying out of the UK to impose this charge”, according to the watchdog.

Other carriers offer to seat children flying with a parent without the need for a paid reservation, or automatically allocate seats together during booking, the CMA said.

The investigation will also examine whether Ryanair’s mandatory family seat fee is dripped in during the booking process, which is when a business does not initially present customers with all unavoidable charges. The CMA added it is at the beginning of its investigation and has “reached no conclusions about whether Ryanair has broken the law”.

Hayley Fletcher, senior director of consumer protection at the CMA, said: “Lots of families save up to afford a summer holiday and we know that extra charges can quickly bump up the price. Our investigation will consider Ryanair’s approach to family seat reservations and how the cost is presented to consumers, to determine whether they comply with consumer law.

“For the past year, we’ve told businesses to ensure their customers are shown the total price upfront – those who don’t face the very real possibility of action from the CMA.”

Ryanair said in a statement: “Ryanair’s family seating policy fully complies with all relevant laws and regulations, and saves families money when travelling on the UK’s lowest fare airline.”

It said it “does not charge any fee for children to sit beside their parent”, and “parents travelling with children pay for only one (adult) reserved seat”.

It added: “This bogus CMA investigation is a failed effort by the Starmer Government to pretend it cares about consumers when it has failed to abolish APD (air passenger duty) which would immediately deliver lower fares for all consumers and growth for the UK aviation, tourism and wider economy. Ryanair looks forward to disproving these false CMA claims.”

The UK’s only direct flight to a destination known as the ‘pink city’ has been launched by Wizz Air, and flights start from £45.99 with no visa required for Brits

Wizz Air has launched the UK’s only direct flight to a walkable destination dubbed the ‘pink city’, which has ditched visa requirements for Brits.

In an exciting addition for the budget airline, holidaymakers can now jet off from London Luton Airport to Yerevan, with flights starting from just £45.99. The Wizz Air route launched on Tuesday, 9 June and is the only direct flight available from the UK to Armenia.

Flights will operate from London Luton to Yerevan, Armenia, twice a week on Mondays and Fridays throughout the year. The direct route takes just over five hours, and after that time, travellers will be rewarded with the dramatic landscapes of mountains and historic architecture in a destination known as the ‘Pink City’.

OPINION

The city earned its moniker due to the rose-hued stone that characterises its buildings, in addition to its tree-lined boulevards and lively public squares. There are historic monasteries, museums, galleries and markets, along with a thriving café culture.

On the UK’s first direct route to Armenia, Wizz Air pilot, Tom Copestake, exclusively told the Mirror: “I’m really excited about landing in Yerevan, Armenia. It’s a new destination for us, but it’s surrounded by big mountains, and it’ll be an interesting experience to fly around there.”

Adding to the appeal of a trip to Armenia in Asia, British holidaymakers can visit without a visa for up to 180 days a year. Whereas a list of Asian countries still requires Brits to obtain a visa at an additional cost.

Following the new flights, Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director of Wizz Air UK, said: “Today [9 June] marks an exciting moment for Wizz Air as we launch the UK’s only direct route to Armenia, opening up a destination that remains largely undiscovered by British travellers. At Wizz Air, we’re committed to making travel more accessible and helping our customers explore beyond the obvious. Yerevan is a city rich in history, culture and character, offering an incredible experience for travellers looking for something different, all at an affordable price.

“The response to our Let’s Get Lost campaign showed there is real appetite among travellers to step outside their comfort zones and discover destinations they may never have previously considered. We’re proud to be making Armenia more accessible than ever before and can’t wait to welcome more passengers on board as they experience everything this remarkable country has to offer.”

Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer at London Luton Airport, said: “We are delighted to welcome Wizz Air’s new service to Yerevan, marking the UK’s first direct link to Armenia and further strengthening London Luton Airport’s increasingly diverse route network. This exciting new destination in the South Caucasus is a unique city that offers a fascinating cultural scene of contrasts to suit all tastes.

“As well as reinforcing our long-standing partnership with Wizz Air, the addition of Yerevan to our departure boards signals our commitment to offer even greater choice as part of our simple and friendly passenger experience.”

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

A NEW airline has revealed plans to launch flights to some dream holiday hotspots.

Global Airlines – which is the UK’s newest airline – is planning on adding flights from the UK to the Maldives before Christmas.

Speaking with Metro, the airline’s founder, James Asquith, said: “Ask anyone in the UK, do you want to go to the Maldives? I think everyone would say: ‘I’d love to, it’s my dream holiday, or I want to go there on honeymoon.’

“And it’s so underserved from the UK.”

The Maldives is known for being a popular destination for British tourists, with flights taking around 11 hours to reach the islands which feature pretty white sand beaches and famous bungalows hanging over crystal clear waters.

There are currently direct flights already from the UK to the Maldives, including from London Heathrow with British Airways.

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Asquith also shared that the Maldives is just one of a number of long-haul destinations being considered and that the airline is looking to launch flights from a number of UK regional airports such as Manchester and Birmingham.

In addition to the latest flight route news, the airline is currently buying another plane.

The airline’s only plane at the moment, is an A380 – the world’s largest passenger plane.

The airline’s founder revealed that Global isn’t focusing on short-haul routes but instead, on flights to America and transatlantic destinations.

Though he also joked that they might give “a crack or two” at flying to Honolulu in Hawaii, which usually takes between 15 and 16 hours.

The airline already previously launched a route last year; however, only two flights took off and since then, there have been no other flights.

After initially launching in 2022, Global Airlines wanted to start flying from London Gatwick by 2023 and have around 100 planes flying across Europe by 2025.

However, due to several delays, only two commercial flights have flown to date, which were between Glasgow and New York in May 2025.

Since then, Global Airlines’ only plane has remained at Tarbes Airport in France, in a storage hangar.

Asquith mainly blames the delays on maintenance check wait times, but he remains confident that the Maldives route will be up and running before 2027.

TENS of thousands of flights face being cancelled this winter as fears continue to grow over the high cost of jet fuel.

Airlines have already been forced to scrap thousands of flights in recent months since the Iran war broke out.

However, experts have warned that unless costs go down, cancellations could now affect winter schedules.

Italy‘s ITA chief executive Joerg Eberhart said they could be forced to cut as may as a fifth of flights from October to April, he told the FT.

Turkish Airlines echoed this, saying they could be forced to make “frequency cuts of even stop destinations” after summer if it continues.

Others have warned that is puts added pressure on airlines to fill planes, which is often not the case during the quieter winter season.

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Most UK airlines have said that they don’t see any immediate threats to upcoming flights, as many have ‘hedged’ fuel costs, which is paying a set price for a period of time.

However, Ryanair has warned that budget airlines face the biggest struggle, due to the low margins.

The budget carrier’s boss Michael O’Leary previously warned: “If pricing stays higher for longer this summer, we think a number of our airline competitors in Europe are going to face real financial difficulties. I think there will be failures.”

Spirit Airlines has already been a victim of the ongoing fuel crisis, having gone into administration last month.

And while UK flights might not be cancelled, the cost of flights is expected to only go up.

International Airlines Group (IAG), which also owns Iberia and Aer Lingus, said it will likely pass on extra costs to cover the additional £1.72billion costs of its fuel this year.

And Virgin Atlantic has added a new fuel surcharge, ranging from £50 to £360.

Experts have said costs could continue to go up, due to the UK’s reliance on US jet fuel.

This is because US suppliers could divert their fuel inwards due to it being the busy American holiday season, particularly for “driving season” (when domestic holidays boom).

S&P Global’s research director for fuels Eleanor Budds told Telegraph: “Prices could rise again. The UK is replacing a good part of its imports. If the US can’t keep up those volumes, [the UK] is very exposed”.

NEW direct flights have been launched from the UK to a destination nicknamed the “pink city”.

Wizz Air has confirmed the new flights will connect London to Yerevan in Armenia – the only currenct direct flights.

It might not be on most Brits’ bucket list, but Armenia is a more unique destination for those wanting to go off the beaten track.

The pink nickname comes from the buildings made from rose-coloured stone which, during sunrise and sunset, can even turn into a vibrant pink or violet.

The country bordered by Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran is also backed by the enormous Mount Ararat which make for incredible views.

One Sun Writer went on the very first flight from Wizz Air to Armenia and revealed their favourite finds.

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They said: “Arriving in Republic Square, the heart of the capital city Yerevan, the Saturday evening atmosphere was electric with hordes of people enjoying live music alfresco.

“We wandered the main streets past buildings made from pink volcanic stone, before reaching the Cascade Yerevan.

“Made up of 572 steps (we took the interior escalator), this mighty landmark is a must-visit. From its peak, we had stunning views of the snow-capped Mount Ararat, now in modern-day Turkey.”

Away from landmarks, Armenia is known for its brandy and there are lots of vineyards dotted around Mount Ararat.

For those who want to learn more about it, there’s a museum dedicated to it and at the ARARAT Museum, a guided tour which includes a tasting starts from £9.

An hour outside of is the popular spot of Lake Sevan which is one of the world’s highest freshwater alpine lakes.

For anyone visiting in the summertime, it’s a popular swim spot and has a sandy shoreline for sunbathing.

The country of Armenia is affordable too with restaurant meals starting at around £8.

You can also pick up local beer for as little as £1 and coffee from £1.20.

According to Kayak, 3-star hotels in Yerevan can start from £30 per night – or if you consider hotels overnight stays can be as little as £15 per night.

One-way flights with Wizz Air start from £45.99.

It’s also cheaper for Brits to visit because Armenia has dropped its visa fees.

Holidaymakers can now visit for up to 180 days within a one year period.

The best time to visit Armenia is between May and June as well as autumn between September and October due to the mild temperatures up to 25C.

Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director of Wizz Air UK, said that the route opens up “a destination that remains largely undiscovered by British travellers”.

She added: “At Wizz Air, we’re committed to making travel more accessible and helping our customers explore beyond the obvious.

“Yerevan is a city rich in history, culture and character, offering an incredible experience for travellers looking for something different, all at an affordable price.”

WHEN it comes to heading abroad in summer most of Brits expect to break the bank and spend thousands going on holiday.

If you fancy a city break this year there are plenty of breaks that are so affordable with return flights from £34 and hotels for under £30pppn.

Along with Skyscanner, Sun Travel has found some incredibly affordable city breaks for August – and even if you book last-minute, they can still work out to be a bargain.

Turin, Italy

If you fancy heading to Italy this summer, there are some cracking deals to take advantage of.

Return flights to Turin in the north of the country can be as little as £34 with Ryanair from Stansted Airport.

Hotels won’t be breaking the bank either – you can book 4-star stays from £50.

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Sun Travel found that you can book a stay at the Best Quality Hotel Politecnico for £56 per night or £28pppn – from August 12.

Turin is backed by the beautiful Alps so you get the beauty of the towering mountains next to the city.

The city is considered the ‘chocolate capital of Italy‘ with a long history and tradition of chocolate making – toady there are plenty of chocolate shops, cafes and festivals there too.

Barcelona, Spain

Who doesn’t love a trip to Barcelona in the summertime with its pretty coastline, enormous landmarks and winding streets?

Well, in August return flights with Ryanair are as little as £38 from London Stansted.

Hotels are a little more expensive – Sun Travel found stays in Hotel Porta Fira from £99 per night if booked directly with the hotel – or £49.50pppn.

It’s right near the airport so a transfer won’t take long, the rooms have incredible city views and it has a sauna and gym on-site too.

For more on what to do in the city, Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens visited just last month to see the Sagrada Familia.

But she also visited chocolate shops and Gaudí masterpiece Casa Mila.

Paris, France

For those who aren’t bothered about a beach break, why not head to Paris?

From its major tourist attractions to croissant-filled cafes, Moroccan food markets and cocktail bars.

This summer, return flights to Paris are as little as £35 from Birmingham Airport to Paris with Ryanair.

Even better it takes just over an hour, so you’ll be off the plane before you know it.

Visitors can stay at the Le Katorze Hôtel from £77 per night in August or £38.50pppn.

In the summertime, you can enjoy the sunshine on the hotel terrace or patio.

Lots of guests praise the hotel for being close to the Metro which will take guests into the centre of Paris – and there are plenty of restaurants close by too.

If you’re looking at what more you can do in Paris – check out these suggestions from our travel team.

Milan, Italy

Another Italian destination with cheap flights this summer is the well-known Milan.

A stay at the Novotel Milano Nord Ca’ Granda in August could set you back just £61 per night in August – or £30.50pppn.

The hotel is easily reachable from the city on the underground and has a swimming pool and bar.

Return flights this summer are as little as £39 with Ryanair departing from Stansted Airport.

The city has impressive Gothic-buildings, walkable streets and tasty food, especially when it comes to pizza and the Milanese saffron risotto.

With the saving on travel – you can definitely splash out at the historic shopping centres like Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Palma, Majorca

Palma in Majorca has everything Brits want out of a holiday.

A busy city, pretty beaches and plenty of cafes and restaurants – it’s not far from the UK either with a flight time of two hours 30-minutes.

It also has return flights for as little as £37 with Wizz Air from London Luton in August.

As for where to stay a little outside of the city is the three-star Hotel Amic Gala which in August can be booked from £112 per night – or £56pppn.

The hotel is a short-walk from Playa de Palma Beach and there are direct buses from the hotel into Palma and to the airport too.

JET2 is launching two new flights to Greece next year – and one of them has the longest beach in Europe.

One of the new routes is from Leeds Bradford Airport to Preveza which starts next summer.

The city is home to Monolithi Beach, stretching on for around 15.5 miles – making it Europe’s longest.

It runs along the Ionian Sea from villages Mytikas to Kastrosykia and, thanks to its length, the beach has everything holidaymakers look for whether that’s a sunbed, beach bars, and taverna.

One visitor to the beach said on Tripadvisor: “It’s one of the best beaches I have ever visited! Small pebbles and sand, and blue-green clear waters, and it’s length… I don’t know!”

Another said: “One of the most beautiful beaches I have seen and swum in. Great waters, amazing location. I could live there forever.”

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Away from the beach is Preveza Harbour which a highly popular sailing and yachting destination.

The nearby marina is lined with restaurants, cafes, and tavernas where holidaymakers can sit and watch the boats.

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Another popular place in Preveza includes Parga Town.

The region is home to the huge ancient ruins of Nikopolis which have Roman walls, Byzantine basilicas, a stadium, and two theatres.

Another spot worth discovering is Saitan Bazar, a historic lane with tiny independent shops that are covered in vines and known for having lively atmospheres.

It is the ideal destination for reaching Lefkada, meaning travellers can experience two destinations in one trip.

Visitors can take a bus directly from Preveza to Lefkada takes just 45minutes.

Flights to Preveza will be weekly on Sundays until October 10.

From Leeds Bradford Airport, Jet2 will also fly to the beautiful island of Santorini.

Santorini will be served with weekly Thursday flights until October 7, 2027.

Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy said: “We are seeing continued demand for our award-winning flights and holidays and many people wanting to book ahead for summer 2027, so we are delighted to respond with this expanded programme from Leeds Bradford Airport. 

“With two stunning, brand-new routes being announced today, our summer 2027 programme gives holidaymakers exactly what they want – more choice and flexibility.”

Jet2 recently revealed it would be adding 30 new routes next summer including to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheik from Leeds Bradford.

Turkish airline SunExpress says it has cancelled four routes from UK airports to popular holiday destinations in Turkey due to ‘ongoing geopolitical developments’

A major airline says it has been forced to cancel flights from the UK to three popular holiday destinations.

Turkish airline SunExpress cited “ongoing geopolitical developments” and the rising cost of jet fuel as it announced the temporary suspension of four routes from the UK to Turkey for the summer 2026 season.

The routes that have been cancelled are Manchester to Bodrum, Leeds Bradford to Antalya, and Glasgow to both Dalaman and Antalya. Flights on these routes have now been taken off sale.

However, Brits wanting to travel to Turkey this summer have a number of other options. SunExpress is still running routes to Antalya from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, Manchester and Newcastle, as well as to Dalaman from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Manchester, and Newcastle.

Sadly, the changes do mean SunExpress will not be operating a UK to Bodrum service this summer.

A spokesperson for the airline told Travel Gossip: “Due to the ongoing geopolitical developments, the aviation industry is currently operating in a highly volatile environment, characterised by significant cost increases, particularly for jet fuel. SunExpress is therefore taking steps to improve fuel efficiency and optimise flight operations.

“As part of this, we have temporarily suspended our services from Glasgow and Leeds Bradford, and our route from Manchester to Bodrum, along with a number of short-term frequency reductions on other services.

“We regret any inconvenience caused, and will continue to provide UK travellers with a wide range of flights and routes to Türkiye from airports across the UK.”

They added that the airline is not in a position to confirm when the suspended services may be reinstated. SunExpress will provide further updates as soon as more information is available, they said.

This comes after British Airways said flights will not resume to Dubai and three other destinations in the Middle East until at least October, two months later than previously planned.

The airline previously said it would cut flights to some key Middle East destinations after the start of the Iran war with flights to Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv originally set to resume at the start of July.

British Airways has now said that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has prompted further changes to the flight schedule.

Fights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain and Amman are now not set to resume until after the end of the summer season. The current date for flights to re-start is October 25.

FLIGHTS from Manchester to India have been scrapped less than one year after they started.

Low-cost carrier IndiGo is axing both of its routes from the UK later this year due to rising fuel costs and airspace restrictions.

IndiGo began operating two routes from Manchester in July 2025 – to Mumbai and Delhi but these will come to a stop on August 31.

These flights marked the airline’s first services between India and Europe,

While other airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and Air India offer flights to India from London, IndiGo’s were much cheaper from Manchester.

One-way flights between Manchester and Mumbai started from £290.

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The airline has said one of the reasons for axing the routes is the rising cost of fuel caused by the Iran War.

IndiGo will hand back its leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to Norse Atlantic later this year.

IndiGo Senior Vice President – Network Planning & Revenue Management Abhijit Dasgupta said: “We inducted these leased wide-body aircraft to fast-track our connectivity to high potential long-haul destinations such as Manchester and witnessed very encouraging demand response.

“It is, therefore, unfortunate that longer flying times due to airspace constraints combined with dramatically escalating costs compelled us to take the decision to discontinue India –Manchester services.

“The response and support for these services have reinforced our belief in the opportunity for IndiGo’s long-haul ambitions, and we are convinced that this discontinuation is temporary.”

He added that he hoped to serve the routes again at the “earliest viable opportunity”.

Norse Atlantic Airways has said that the returned aircraft will later be “deployed by Norse Atlantic in its upcoming winter program for direct flights between Europe and Thailand”.

Once the routes are axed, there will be no direct links between Manchester and India.

Other airlines like Air India and Virgin Atlantic still connect the UK to India – but fly out of London instead.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled, official data from June 3 indicates

A UK tourist hotspot has been rocked by disruption today. Officials in Portugal say 44.7% of flights scheduled to Portuguese airports on the day of a general strike today, Wednesday, June 3, were cancelled.

Portuguese media reports say that out of 1,472 flights scheduled across the country, at least 658 were cancelled, officials say. Of the 658 flights scheduled for Lisbon Airport, 408 have been cancelled, equivalent to 62%.

EasyJet had said in advance that its passengers would be affected. It said on the eve of the strike: “Due to a national strike in Portugal on 3 June, like all airlines operating to and from the country we can expect some disruption to our flying programme. We will be doing all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action and will contact customers directly with their options if their flights are affected.

“While this is outside of our control we are sorry for any inconvenience this strike action may cause.” Ryanair said it would not be affected.

Sapo reports that the second-highest percentage of cancelled flights is in Ponta Delgada, where 41% of the 118 scheduled flights will not take place, according to ANA information. In Porto and Faro, nearly a third of flights will be cancelled.

In Madeira, 23% of the 102 scheduled flights were cancelled. Almost all flights were reportedly cancelled in advance. This enabled notifying passengers and rescheduling flights, local media reports said.

The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPAC) said that of the 508 scheduled flights, “329 flights have already been cancelled, that is, 65% of the operations planned for June 3”.

The strikes, which also affected public transport and other services in the country, were the second in six month called over proposed government labour reforms.

The move will see passengers pay ’65 per cent’ less tax on a number of routes in a bid to make them more ‘affordable’

The prices of tickets for a number of flights in a holiday destination for British travellers will be lowered in a bid to make them more affordable. The move will see flights on 26 specific routes cut in price as tax is reduced on many flights in France, which gets around four million visits from UK travellers every year.

The move was introduced on June 1. Philippe Tabarot, minister at the French Ministry of Transport, confirmed the update this week, and it will affect some international flights as well as trips to some of France’s biggest cities.

Travellers in the UK heading for holidays to France from Heathrow and Gatwick could benefit. Air France, for instance, travels to Paris Charles de Gaulle, while Manchester airport and Birmingham airport also daily flights to both Paris and Lyon, and Newcastle, Edinburgh and Southampton airports also have regular Paris flights.

The move is due to a change in the so-called solidarity tax on airplane tickets (TSBA). French media website 20 Minutes reports that the TSBA had been raised in March 2025 for all flights departing from France.

Local media say the amount rose from €2.63 to €7.40 per passenger. Now passengers flying on certain routes will see the figure returne to the original rate of €2.63.

The Ministry of Transport says this represents a 65% reduction in the tax. That amounts to a saving of €4.77 per ticket.

The flights in France to be affected by the TSBA change

This discount applies to the following routes:

1. Calvi-Marseille
2. Ajaccio-Paris (Orly)
3. La Rochelle–Lyon
4. Ajaccio-Nice
5. Brive–Paris
6. Rodez–Paris
7. Strasbourg–Madrid
8. Strasbourg–Munich
9. Bastia-Nice
10. Figari-Paris (Orly)
11. Tarbes–Paris
12. Calvi-Paris (Orly)
13. Calvi-Nice
14. Brest–Ouessant
15. Bastia-Paris (Orly)
16. Limoges–Lyon
17. Figari-Nice
18. Poitiers–Lyon
19. Aurillac–Paris
20. Bastia-Marseille
21. Strasbourg-Copenhagen
22. Limoges–Paris
23. Figari-Marseille
24. Ajaccio-Marseille
25. Castres–Paris
26. Le Puy–Paris

The minister said: “By making these routes more affordable, this measure reflects the government’s commitment to supporting connectivity in the least well-served regions and to reducing the cost of air travel to and from these destinations.”

The move is designed to support routes officials believe are sometimes poorly served by other means of transport. While the flights are almost all domestic, Brits travelling around the country could benefit.

There are also international connections to Strasbourg that are included, as well as most of the links between the French island of Corsica and the mainland. These routes have a special status as ‘public service’ routes because they are in areas where other transport options are limited, or where flying represents the only fast connection, The Local reports.

The eco tax was originally added to plane tickets under Jacques Chirac’s government in 2005, French media reports say. It was doubled in 2024 in a move that Ryanair blamed for its withdrawal from some regional French airports.

The tax is added as an extra fee to each plane ticket bought. It is charged at a sliding rate based on the length of the flight and whether the ticket is standard class, business or first.

Official orders have spelt out what flights must be provided

EasyJet and Ryanair travellers have been issued with an official update as a UK holiday spot prepares for a major strike. Portugal will see a general strike on Wednesday, June 3.

It has previously been reported that around 500 flights from different airlines could be affected. EasyJet has said there could be some disruption for passengers on the day.

TAP Air Portugal says it is planning to operate at least 79 flights. The airline is also reportedly rebooking travel options for affected passengers.

Air Europa has reportedly cancelled all flights between Madrid and Lisbon and Porto. Tram services in Porto are also set to be affected.

Ryanair has said it will operate as normal. It will be the second time the nation has been hit by a general strike in recent months in protest at labour reforms the Portuguese government is planning. The disruption is likely to affect many areas of the country.

Portuguese media reports say that for those providing essential social services, minimum service levels have been established. Information has been reported in local media, based on official documents, about what minimum services are therefore expected for some airlines.

EasyJet ‘minimum services in Portugal on June 3’

Local media reports say that some flights involving major national carrier TAP will go ahead. Sapo reports that a deal has been reached between easyJet and the trade unions, providing for the following minimum services:

• two flights from Lisbon to Funchal;
• one flight from Porto to Funchal;
• one flight from Lisbon to Basel; one Lisbon-Nice flight;
• one Porto-Paris flight;
• one Porto-Geneva flight;
• one Porto-Luxembourg flight;
• one Lisbon-Luxembourg flight;
• and one Lisbon-London flight.

That information emerged in reports published by the Directorate-General for Employment and Labour Relations (DGERT). It stated that the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Crew also warns that, “if striking staff are replaced by crew from other bases, the conditions for future agreements will no longer exist”.

Full list of ‘Ryanair minimum services on June 3’

Sapo also reports that in the case of Ryanair, minimum services have been set by order of the Minister for Infrastructure and Housing. These reportedly state that, on the day of the strike, staff must report for duty to ensure the following connections:

• two Lisbon–Funchal–Lisbon connecting flights;
• one Lisbon–London–Lisbon connecting flight;
• one Lisbon–Luxembourg–Lisbon connecting flight;
• one Porto–London–Porto connecting flight;
• one Porto–Luxembourg–Porto connecting flight;
• one Porto–Paris–Porto connecting flight;
• and one Faro–London–Faro connecting flight.

“The staff required to ensure minimum services shall be designated by the trade unions that have called the strike no later than 24 hours before the start of each of the declared strike days or, if they fail to do so, the companies must make such a designation,” the order states.

EasyJet told the Sun: “Due to a national strike in Portugal on 3 June, like all airlines operating to and from the country we can expect some disruption to our flying programme. We will be doing all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action and will contact customers directly with their options if their flights are affected.

“While this is outside of our control we are sorry for any inconvenience this strike action may cause.”

The island of 32,000 is not one on the British holidaymakers’ Greek trail, at least not when compared to the likes of Crete, Cyprus or Mykonos

Jet2 has just begun flying to a beautiful Greek island home to rugged mountains, cobblestone alleys and fresh waterfalls.

In May 2026, the budget airline launched a new flight route from the UK to Samos, becoming only the second airline to offer direct flights to the island, after TUI.

From May to the end of October, Jet2 will be flying twice weekly from Manchester Airport, London Stansted and Birmingham to Samos, with fares from £48.

The island of 32,000 is not one on the British holidaymakers’ Greek trail, at least not when compared to the likes of Crete, Cyprus or Mykonos. But there are plenty of reasons why a visit to Samos is a great idea.

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

For one, it’s a place of serious historical pedigree, home as it is to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Pythagoreion and Heraion, and as the supposed birthplace of the Greek goddess Hera.

Zeus’s sister/wife is far from the only famous child Samos has to shout about. It is also the birthplace of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, the philosophers Melissus of Samos and Epicurus, and the astronomer Aristarchus of Samos, the first known person to suggest that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

Samos is one of the greenest Greek islands, and its nature is genuinely impressive. It is quite different from the more barren, sun-bleached look of many other Aegean islands.

Forests and mountains are a big part of that. Much of the island is covered in dense pine and cypress forests, and Mount Kerkis dominates the western end, rising to around 1,434 metres. It’s one of the highest peaks in the Aegean and is popular with serious hikers. The summit trail takes about 5–6 hours round trip.

Rivers and waterfalls are unusual for a Greek island, yet Samos has several. The most famous is the Potami waterfall near Karlovasi in the west, where a river flows through a gorge shaded by plane trees into a series of cascading pools you can swim in. It’s one of the most scenic spots on the island.

Beaches range from busy, sandy coves to wild, pebbly stretches backed by cliffs. Psili Ammos in the east has fine golden sand, while spots like Mikro Seitani and Megalo Seitani on the northwest coast are only reachable on foot or by boat.

Antasia Nalmpanti is the general manager of Casa Cook Samos, a hotel on the island with rooms from €243.

She told the Mirror: “Samos is one of those rare Greek islands that still feels genuinely undiscovered – and that’s a big part of what makes it so special. Unlike many Mediterranean destinations, it hasn’t been shaped by mass tourism; the pace is slower, the landscape is wilder, and the locals are incredibly welcoming.

“Our hotel, Casa Cook Samos, was designed to mirror exactly that spirit – inspired by the architecture of a traditional Samian village, nestled between lush hillsides and the Aegean, with private beach access and a restaurant that genuinely tastes of the island. Guests arrive looking for something real and unspoiled. Samos delivers that, every single time.

“At Casa Cook Samos, our goal is also to bring people together and revive the spirit of parea – the Greek tradition of sharing moments, stories, food, and connection, just as people once gathered around the village square. Guests can experience this feeling at our Parea Bar, where conversations flow naturally, and during our Samian Dinner, where a local yiayia joins us to prepare traditional dishes and share the island’s culinary heritage. It’s these authentic moments of togetherness that make a stay on Samos truly memorable.“

STRIKES across Portugal are set to go ahead tomorrow causing widespread disruption across the country.

Rail workers, cabin crew and public transport staff are all staging a walkout.

At its airports in Portugal, strike action is predicted to affect hundreds of flights with 500 at risk of being cancelled and delayed.

Over half of these flights are operated by TAP Air Portugal, as well as other Portugália and SATA services.

On social media, TAP Air Portugal said it would still operate a minimum of 79, it is also rebooking travel options for affected passengers.

The airline Air Europa has cancelled all of its flights between Madrid and Lisbon and Porto.

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The union added that easyJet and Ryanair flights are also expected to be impacted.

easyJet told Sun Travel: “Due to a national strike in Portugal on 3 June, like all airlines operating to and from the country we can expect some disruption to our flying programme. 

“We will be doing all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action and will contact customers directly with their options if their flights are affected.

“While this is outside of our control we are sorry for any inconvenience this strike action may cause.”

Ryanair however told The Independent that it did not expect any disruption and would operate as normal.

Away from airports, staff working for FECTRANS are expected to walkout.

This is expected to limit service on the Lisbon Metro and will disrupt those with travel plans across the city.

Union members include those working on the Porto Metro, so Porto is another city set to be majorly affected by the strike action.

Due to the sheer volume of staff strikes, it’s thought that the delays could impact travel on the following days, too.

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.

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.

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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.

ANOTHER Brit was banned from boarding his flight home due to confusing passport rules recently introduced.

Dad-of-two, Kyle Harris, was refused boarding onto his booked Jet2 flight from Kefalonia in Greece back to the UK due to only having an American passport.

The 39-year-old had been on holiday with his wife and two sons and was unaware that new passport rules impacting dual-national Brits was introduced back in February.

Dual-national Brits used to be able to fly back to the UK on their second passport, which in Kyle’s case is his American passport.

However, now, a UK or Irish passport must be shown at the border or the traveller can get a digital ‘certificate of entitlement’, but this would cost a steep £589.

Ruth – Kyle’s wife – wrote on Facebook: “Imagine being told your husband can’t come home to the UK – despite living there for 39 years, paying 24 years of tax and national insurance, attending nursery, primary and secondary school, raising British children and building his entire life there.

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“That’s exactly what happened to us on Saturday.

The family has had to extend their time away and has reached out to the British consulate in Greece as well as the Foreign Office in London.

Ruth added: “Not once during booking, travel, or check-in were we warned this could happen.

“Nor have we seen any of a large campaign that has apparently taken place to ensure people travelling this way know. This situation needs attention.

“How can a system be rolled out with so little communication that someone who has lived in the UK virtually their entire life suddenly feels unwelcome, forgotten, and forced to prove they belong?

“Right now my husband feels more like a foreigner than a citizen of the country he calls home.”

A Jet2 spokesperson said they were “sorry” for the situation but added: “Our cabin crew acted in accordance with government legislation and sought guidance from the Home Office, as the passenger did not have the correct documentation at the time of travel.

“We advise all customers to check Foreign Office travel requirements before travelling.”

The change comes as new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been introduced, which requires all Brits to enter the UK on their British passport.

The change comes as the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been introduced, which is a £20 digital travel permit required from all non-British travellers entering the UK.

Dual-national Brits are not able to apply for one.

He also isn’t the first person to fall victim to the new rules – back in April, 26-year-old Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa was left stuck in Spain after trying to return to the UK without a British passport.

A British-French student was stuck in Madrid for the same reason, as well as an 18-year-old British-Danish student who was banned from her return flight to the UK from Mumbai.