flights

An overlooked European city, just two hours from the UK, warrants a visit, thanks to its balmy rays of sunshine 300 days out of the year and affordable flights that start from £29

Just two hours from the UK is a beautiful Mediterranean city that basks in a remarkable 300 days of glorious sunshine every year, and flights start from just £28.99 with easyJet.

Montpellier, in southern France, is often bypassed in favour of tourist hotspots such as Paris, but it definitely deserves a place on your travel list. The charming city offers a scenic escape from busy crowds, with a laid-back atmosphere amid its medieval architecture, bustling squares and delightful cafés.

You won’t be short of sun-soaked rays here, as Montpellier is widely considered one of France’s sunniest locations, with an average of 300 days of sunshine every year and summer daylight extending to around 10 hours. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, it enjoys mild winters and hot, dry summers, so rainfall is rarely an issue, with temperatures reaching around 17C in May and 22C in June.

READ MORE: Europe’s ‘sunniest city’ with 3,300 hours of annual sunshine has £16 flights and £2.50 pintsREAD MORE: Europe’s ‘most beautiful beach’ with pristine sands is just 3 hours from UK with £28 flights

A spring escape couldn’t come at a better time as easyJet launched a new route from Manchester Airport to the sun-kissed city of Montpellier earlier this year. The first flight departed at the start of April this year, with services scheduled to operate twice-weekly on Mondays and Fridays throughout the summer season.

One-way direct tickets can be booked from £28.99, with the journey taking just over two hours from Manchester – meaning you’ll be basking in those southern rays in no time. If you needed another excuse to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle in Montpellier, you’ll be pleased to hear that it has an impressive selection of sights and attractions.

There’s the historic city centre to wander through, with the stunning Place de la Comédie, the historic Promenade du Peyrou, and the Gothic Saint-Pierre Cathedral. And a visit to the city isn’t complete without exploring its pedestrian-friendly Old Town, with winding medieval streets, chic boutiques, and lively squares filled with cafés, restaurants, and hidden courtyards.

Meanwhile, the botanical gardens, Jardin des Plantes – the oldest in France – provide a tranquil escape, boasting an impressive collection of plants and peaceful walkways. The Peyrou Promenade, on the other hand, offers stunning panoramic views across the city and the surrounding countryside, ideal for taking in the atmosphere of this overlooked European gem.

Following the launch of the new flights to Montpellier, Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK country manager, said: “We are really pleased to be celebrating our inaugural flights to the fantastic city of Montpellier, just a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean coast. By introducing new connections from Manchester on our unrivaled leisure network, customers from across the northwest can now enjoy even more choice this summer to book and travel with ease.

“We’re continuing to provide our customers with even more choice and connectivity at fantastic fares, and we look forward to welcoming them onboard.”

Stephen Turner, chief commercial officer at Manchester Airport, added: “We are proud to connect the people of the North with more destinations than any other airport in the country outside London, so it’s fantastic to be celebrating this inaugural flight today.

“Montpellier is not currently served by any other airline so passengers planning a holiday to the south of France this summer will have even more choice of destinations when flying from Manchester. We’re sure this new route will prove extremely popular.”

For more information, or to book easyJet flights, visit their website.

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

NEW rules will now allow airlines in the UK to axe flights without repercussions this summer due to ongoing fears of a jet fuel crisis.

The Department for Transport has unveiled new measures which will allow airlines to cancel flights up to two weeks in advance, without losing their airport slots.

Instead, airlines will be able to group passengers onto other flights that same day, and operate fewer routes a day.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said it would “give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer“

While this is said to be “protecting summer holidays” it could see passengers forced onto flights at completely different times that they had booked.

Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: “It’s not fair for the rules to now be bent in favour of airlines and potentially leave passengers holding the bill.

STRAIT TALK

European airlines could go bust by September if fuel crisis continues

PLANE EXPLAIN

Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet, TUI, BA and Virgin – UK airlines on the fuel crisis

“Many passengers will understand that disruptions can occur and may be happy to travel a few hours or a day later, but for those on short trips or connecting flights it could mean the trip is no longer worthwhile.

“Before any changes are made, passengers need cast-iron assurances that their rights will not be weakened and that airlines cannot use reform as cover to shift the cost of disruption onto travellers.”

However, it has been backed by Airlines UK, which represents UK carriers, as they said it would “avoid unnecessary flying and continue operating as efficiently as possible while protecting connectivity for passengers and trade”.

While jet fuel shortages – caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, are yet to massively effect UK airlines, many others around the world have ben formed to axe flights.

According to Cirium, two million seats have been scrapped across May, with airlines including Lufthansa, Air New Zealand and United just some affected.

Here’s what all the UK airlines are saying about cancelled flights and fuel surcharges.

Normal flows of fossil fuels from the Gulf have effectively been at a standstill since the war broke out and the Strait of Hormuz was blockaded, leading to shortages and flight cancellations

Billionaires and the ultra-rich are taking more and more private jet flights despite a jet fuel crisis in commercial aviation.

While major airlines cancel tens of thousands of flights due to jet fuel issues caused by the Iran War, chartered and private aviation is booming, according to analysis shared with the Mirror.

“Aside from the Middle East, the global private jet industry has not been affected by rising fuel costs,” Nick Koscinski, analyst at WINGX Advance aviation data firm, told the Mirror. “In fact, global private jet flights are up 4.7% year-to-date through 19 April.”

In US cities that have been hit by Transportation Security Administration staff shortages amid a pay freeze, there have been much higher usage rises, with a 17% yearly increase in Washington, DC, and Houston.

Normal flows of fossil fuels from the Gulf have effectively been at a standstill since the war broke out and the Strait of Hormuz was blockaded. A fifth of the world’s oil and gas typically flows through the Strait.

Last week, global jet fuel shipments fell to the lowest recorded level. Just under 2.3m tonnes of jet fuel and kerosene were transported on ships in the seven days to 26 April, according to data company Kpler. The figure represents less than half the average weekly volume shipped before the war. Earlier this month, the International Energy Agency warned that Europe could run out of jet fuel in weeks.

WINGX Advance analysis notes that Jet A1 prices have approximately doubled since January, and they represent about 30% of variable operating costs for private jet operators.

“So this cost is significant. Our impression is that the cost increase has largely been passed through to end-users. As flight activity for private jets is up this year vs last year, clearly demand seems to be inelastic at least for now,” analyst Richard Koe added.

Flying in a private jet is one of the most fuel-intensive, emissions-spewing activities a human can engage in.

Overall, private aviation emissions increased by 46% between 2019 and 2023, with industry expectations of continued strong growth, according to a Nature journal Communications Earth & Environment study.

It also found that most of these small planes spew more heat-trapping carbon dioxide in about two hours of flying than the average person does in about a year.

In 2023, roughly a quarter million of the super wealthy, who were worth a total of $31 trillion, emitted 17.2 million tons (15.6 million metric tons) of carbon dioxide flying in private jets. That’s about the same amount as the overall yearly emissions of the 67 million people who live in Tanzania.

Stefan Gössling, a transportation researcher at the business school of Sweden’s Linnaeus University, said the issue wasn’t so much the emissions, which remain a small part of those produced globally, but the lack of fairness.

“The damage is done by those with a lot of money and the cost is borne by those with very little money,” Gössling said. A separate report by Oxfam claimed that billionaires emit more carbon pollution in 90 minutes than the average person does in a lifetime.

It comes as the UK Government today, Sunday, May 3, introduced a rule change allowing airlines to group passengers from different flights together

Wizz Air has issued an update to passengers this Sunday afternoon confirming its flight plans. The airline’s latest statement follows new official measures unveiled today, Sunday, May 3, by the Government.

The Government has brought in a temporary rule change permitting airlines to consolidate passengers from different flights onto fewer aircraft as part of efforts to conserve fuel. This follows warnings of a potential jet fuel shortage ahead of the busy holiday season if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Asked this morning whether holidaymakers travelling abroad are likely to encounter difficulties this summer, Ms Alexander told Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “I’ve spent every week of the last two months in close contact with airlines and airports.

“On Thursday of this week, airlines told me very clearly that they have good visibility over the next six to eight weeks of jet fuel supply. There is no current disruption to jet fuel supplies.

“We are, for example, importing more jet fuel from America. We have asked the refineries in the UK to maximise their production. We’ve got four refineries here, refineries in West Africa are also producing more.”

She continued: “The last thing I want is for people to turn up at a departure gate and have last minute cancellations. I am confident, sat here today on the basis of the information that I have available to me, that the majority of people who are travelling this summer will have a similar experience to that which they had last year.”

Her comments come as airlines worldwide take action in response to soaring jet fuel prices. These have been triggered by Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, blocking off one of the world’s crucial routes for jet fuel distribution to other countries.

Lufthansa recently revealed plans to axe 20,000 flights as it scales back capacity to cope with jet fuel shortages. UK carriers have also issued statements in a bid to put customers’ minds at ease.

Among them, Jet2 confirmed it will not impose surcharges on any existing flight or holiday bookings to offset rising costs, such as those for jet fuel. Now Wizz Air has released a fresh statement following the government’s latest proposals.

Speaking today, an airline spokesman said: “Wizz Air acknowledges today’s announcement by the UK government and would like to reassure customers that its operations remain fully stable and unaffected.

“The airline confirms that it plans continue to operate its full summer schedule, flying passengers safely and reliably to their destinations across its extensive network. Wizz Air is working closely with its partners to ensure seamless operations throughout the peak travel season.

“Customers can book with confidence on Wizz Air’s wide selection of routes from more than half a dozen airports across the UK, connecting travellers to popular destinations across Europe and beyond.”

New government rules amid jet fuel shortage fears

The Government’s airline rule change could result in passengers being switched from their originally booked service to a comparable one in order to cut down on wasted fuel from aircraft that haven’t sold out and may otherwise have been cancelled.

Consumer group Which? has hit out at the move, arguing that rules should not be “bent in favour of airlines”. Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden warned that families could find themselves “herded on to a different plane, at a time of the airline’s choosing”.

“The honest message is that Britain is exposed to fuel supply risks that a properly energy-secure country would not face,” he added. Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for private jets to be grounded in a bid to conserve fuel.

“While ordinary people pay the price, the super rich are simply getting in their private jets at will – wasting huge amounts of jet fuel on unnecessary trips,” he said.

EasyJet has issued a new statement this Saturday, May 2 as UK travellers consider their holiday plans amid concern over jet fuel shortages

EasyJet has issued a new update for UK travellers currently looking to book their summer flights. Holidaymakers up and down the country are busy making plans for the warmer months ahead.

However, they are doing so amid uncertainty hanging over parts of the airline industry. This follows jet fuel shortages brought about by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran.

Lufthansa has already confirmed that 20,000 of its flights are to be axed as a result. Industry experts warn that further airlines are likely to slash their capacity in the coming weeks – with Ted Wake, managing director of Kirker Holidays, last week predicting that “I think other airlines within the UK market will be doing something similar.”

Across the Atlantic, we reported earlier today that budget carrier Spirit Airlines has announced it is grounding all of its flights, as the jet fuel crisis, combined with mounting financial pressures, pushed the airline to the edge of collapse. easyJet has now set out new commitments to customers alongside a fresh statement.

It is all part of a bid to put the minds of UK passengers at rest as they weigh up their summer travel options. Ryanair and Wizz Air have also moved within the past 24 hours to offer their own reassurances to British holidaymakers.

In a statement released today, easyJet said: “easyJet is not seeing any disruption to fuel supply. We continue to operate our flights and package holidays as normal, are not making changes and intend to operate our full summer schedule. We remain in close contact with suppliers who continue to provide uninterrupted supply and are diversifying exporting from additional countries globally to bolster supplies going forward.”

easyJet made the latest statement as it introduced new measures designed to give UK travellers greater peace of mind when booking flights. The airline has unveiled a ‘Book with Confidence Promise’ in a move to reassure passengers ahead of the summer season.

The carrier says it is guaranteeing that customers won’t be hit with post-booking price rises or fuel surcharges. easyJet says it plans to operate its complete network schedule, which includes more than 50 million seats and 30 new UK routes.

According to the airline, the ‘Ultimate Flexibility’ policy enables holidaymakers to amend or cancel their bookings up to 28 days prior to departure. Kenton Jarvis, CEO at easyJet said: “We understand that global events may affect travellers’ confidence at the moment, but we believe that everyone has a right to book their flights and holidays with confidence.

“That’s why we’re launching our ‘Book with Confidence Promise’. Our customers won’t be charged any more after they book, including no fuel surcharges, and package holidays customers can continue to benefit from Ultimate Flexibility when they book with easyJet Holidays.”

Jet2, easyJet and TUI have all pledged not to impose additional charges on travellers for fuel price increases. In new remarks published today, Michael O’Leary, the boss of Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, told The Times that 80 per cent of its fuel supply until March 2027 had been secured in advance. He confirmed the company would not be reducing any flights, despite the crisis costing the firm approximately £37 million each month in extra fuel costs on its unhedged supply.

Eddie Wilson, chief executive of Ryanair, warned that rival airlines could soon begin “gouging” their schedules should prices remain elevated. He said: “What’s going to happen with airlines that are not financially robust, they either have to decide whether they are going to continue flying at a loss or start gouging their schedules. That’s not something we are contemplating.”

Meanwhile, Wizz Air has also moved to reassure customers. Speaking to renowned UK travel broadcaster and journalist Simon Calder on his Independent travel podcast, the airline expressed confidence that it will deliver a full schedule of flights this summer.

“We have just launched our biggest-ever network from the UK and in particular from Luton,” said Yvonne Moynihan, managing director of Wizz Air UK. “Despite the challenging geopolitical crisis, business goes on as usual. In airlines, we are well used to crises, so we are resilient and we’re well adapted.

“For low-cost airlines like Wizz in the UK, we don’t see any shortage of fuel.” She said that if jet fuel shortages affected the UK, the airline would get fuel from elsewhere.

“We can take more fuel than is required in those destinations,” she said. “We can even fly to other countries and and pit-stop, if you will, if we need additional fuel.

“But we’re not seeing an Armageddon situation. We have fuel supply. We have other mechanisms for uplifting fuel.”

A Jet2 spokesman said: “We remain in continual dialogue with our fuel suppliers, as is standard practice. Based on the conversations we have been having, we see no reason not to look forward to operating our scheduled programme of flights and holidays as normal.”

Airlines UK said: “UK airlines continue to operate normally and are not experiencing issues with jet fuel supply.”

SPIRIT Airlines has confirmed it has officially shut down after all last-minutes attempts to save the company fell through.

Donald Trump on Friday had said he had offered a final proposal for a federal bailout.

But a deal was not made after talks hit a wall over a $500million rescue package.

American, United and Frontier Airlines have all offered to support any passengers left stranded by the closure.

It comes after the airline filed for bankruptcy for a second time.

“It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately,” the airline said in a statement on Saturday.

“All Spirit flights have been cancelled, and Spirit Guests should not go to the airport.

“We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 34 years and had hoped to serve our guests for many years to come.”

Spirit, like many other airlines, has been plagued with skyrocketing fuel costs as the Iran war continues, with some carriers raising fares and increasing checked bag fees.

“Unfortunately, despite the Company’s efforts, the recent material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business have significantly impacted Spirit’s financial outlook,” it said.

Some other budget-friendly airlines have asked the government for help as they face jet fuel price spikes.

Spirit’s collapse just a day after it was still selling tickets to travelers has left thousands stranded as all flights have been canceled.

In addition to this, 17,000 workers are now out of work including 14,000 airline employees and thousands of contractors.

Passengers with Spirit tickets will be getting automatic refunds if they booked directly with the airline using a debit or credit card.

Those who have tickets from travel agents must “contact the travel agent directly to request a refund.”

The airline added that it will not be able to help passengers re-book their flights with another airline.

However, rival carriers have offered help, with JetBlue offering passengers $99 one-way fares for those who have proof of a Spirit itinerary for the same route of travel until May 6.

The airline has urged stranded passengers to call 1-800-JETBLUE for help getting where they need to go.

In addition to this, JetBlue has capped basic fares at $299 or less on certain non-stop routes.

Similar moves are being made by United, Delta, and Southewest, the Department of Transportation confirmed.

“The Trump Administration is committed to taking care of you and your family when you fly,” said US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

“In a matter of hours, we’ve activated our airline partners to ensure passengers are not stranded, communities maintain route access, fares do not skyrocket, and Spirit’s workforce is connected to new job opportunities.”

The department has outlined the ways that it and fellow airlines are assisting those affected by Spirit’s collapse from capped and reduced fares to refund advice and employee support.

Duffy has largely blamed former President Joe Biden for the airline’s collapse.

This is because a proposed merger between Spirit and JetBlue was blocked under the Biden administration in 2024 which Duffy called “a massive mistake” in a press conference on Saturday morning.

He added that President Trump was “like a dog with a bone” trying to find a deal to keep Spirit afloat but noted that the airline “was in dire straights long before the war in Iran.”

And it’s not just Spirit struggling financially, with The Association of Value Airlines seeking $2.5billion in federal help to keep discount airlines like Breeze and Frontier running amid high fuel prices.

Duffy has already rejected this level of funding and in his press conference, accused low-budget airlines of trying to piggyback on the generosity the Trump administration showed to save Spirit in trying to save it.

The collapse of the US-based budget carrier due to a doubling in jet fuel prices will cost thousands of jobs.

Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines has said that all of its flights have been cancelled as it started an “orderly wind-down of operations,” after a potential White House bailout fell through.

“Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc., parent company of Spirit Airlines … today regretfully announced that the Company has started an orderly wind-down of operations, effective immediately. All Spirit flights have been cancelled, and Spirit Guests should not go to the airport,” the airline said in a statement in the early hours of Saturday.

Spirit had 4,119 domestic flights scheduled between May 1 and May 15, offering 809,638 seats, according to the latest data from Cirium.

The collapse of the carrier due to a doubling in jet fuel prices during the two-month-old Iran war will cost thousands of jobs. It is also a blow to US President Donald Trump, who had proposed $500m to save Spirit despite opposition from some of his closest advisers and many Republicans in Congress.

Spirit had reached a deal with its lenders that would have helped it emerge from its second bankruptcy by late spring or early summer. But those plans derailed after the US war on Iran triggered a spike in jet fuel prices, upending Spirit’s cost projections and complicating its bankruptcy exit.

A Spirit board meeting had ended without an agreement to rescue the company, a person close to the discussions told the Reuters news agency late on Friday.

“Unfortunately, despite the Company’s efforts, the recent material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business have significantly impacted Spirit’s financial outlook,” Spirit said in a statement announcing its “orderly wind-down”.

Trump on Friday said the White House had given Spirit and its creditors a final rescue proposal, after talks hit an impasse over a $500m financing package that would have helped the airline keep operating through bankruptcy.

“If we can help them, we will, but we have to come first,” Trump told reporters. “If we could do it, we’d do it, but only if it’s a good deal.”

Spirit’s restructuring plan assumed jet fuel costs of about $2.24 a gallon in 2026 and $2.14 in 2027, but prices had climbed to about $4.51 a gallon by the end of April, leaving the carrier unable to survive without new financing.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Reuters he had tried to get many airlines to buy Spirit but found no takers. “What would someone buy?” Duffy asked. “If no one else wants to buy them, why would we buy them?”

A creditor close to the deal said, “The Trump administration made an extraordinary effort to try and save Spirit, but you can’t breathe life into a corpse. Given that, the company should make its intentions clear for the sake of its customers and employees.”

No US carrier of Spirit’s size – it accounted for 5 percent of US flights at one point – has liquidated in two decades. Spirit helped keep fares lower in markets where it competed against major carriers.

Its collapse shows how the Iran war’s fuel-price shock has exposed weaker airlines. Across the globe, airlines have been increasing prices to reflect the high cost of jet fuel and some airlines have also cut flights.

German airline Lufthansa last month said it cancelled 20,000 flights in a bid to protect itself from the soaring cost of oil.

On Friday, Indian carrier Air India also said it has increased fuel surcharges on all flights and said it will cut 100 flights a day across domestic and international routes.

Budget airlines have spoken amid warnings that the UK faces greater exposure to jet fuel shortages due to the Middle East conflict

Following warnings from a leading analyst over potential jet fuel shortages that could hit the UK during the summer, Europe’s biggest budget airlines have stated they remain confident in their ability to keep flights running as normal throughout the peak holiday season.

Ano Kuhanathan, head of corporate research at insurer Allianz, has warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz leaves Britain considerably more exposed than other European countries to supply disruptions. Roughly three quarters of Europe’s jet fuel comes from the Middle East and passes through the vital shipping lane.

He explained: “The UK is Europe’s most structurally exposed market to jet fuel shortages, relying heavily on imports to meet aviation demand and running persistent refining kerosene deficit, leaving it particularly vulnerable to supply shocks.”

Despite these concerns, senior figures at Britain’s top budget airlines have voiced confidence in their capacity to deliver a full flight schedule throughout the summer.

A spokesperson for Jet2 said: “We remain in continual dialogue with our fuel suppliers, as is standard practice. Based on the conversations we have been having, we see no reason not to look forward to operating our scheduled programme of flights and holidays as normal.”

READ MORE: Martin Lewis warning for holidaymakers including Jet2, easyJet, TUIREAD MORE: TV holiday expert Simon Calder gives holiday 2026 update and says ‘that is crazy’

The announcement comes in the wake of a separate warning from Heathrow airport on Wednesday, which stated it anticipates passenger numbers for the remainder of the year to be impacted by the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Laura Lindsay, spokesperson for the price-comparison site Skyscanner, suggested that travel demand is changing rather than vanishing. She told The Independent’s daily travel podcast: “We know that people do still want to get away. It may be reduced internationally and increased domestically, for example.”

Jet2 has revealed that holidaymakers are increasingly making last-minute bookings since the outbreak of the Iran conflict amid growing concerns over the impact of the war and fears surrounding jet fuel supply.

The company said summer passenger bookings to date are up 6.2% thanks to expansion across its airline and package holiday operations, but in a sign of rising unease among travellers, it disclosed that the “booking profile has become increasingly close to departure” due to the Middle East conflict.

It stated it is well shielded from the fuel cost surge triggered by the Iran war for the crucial summer period, adding it is “maintaining frequent dialogue with our fuel suppliers and airport partners on fuel supply”.

Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s chief executive, said that “the risk of ‌a supply disruption is receding”, with no disruption risk before the end of June. However, he pointed out that the UK faces greater vulnerability compared to other major nations. EasyJet has confirmed it intends to run “a full schedule across its network”. Garry Wilson, chief executive of easyJet Holidays, said: “Our operations remain unaffected, so customers can be confident that not only will their holiday go ahead as planned, but there will be no surprise extra payments.”

Yvonne Moynihan, managing director of Wizz Air UK, said: “We have just launched our biggest-ever network from the UK and in particular from Luton.

“Despite the challenging geopolitical crisis, business goes on as usual. In airlines, we are well used to crises, so we are resilient and we’re well adapted.

“For low-cost airlines like Wizz in the UK, we don’t see any shortage of fuel.”

The airline boss explained that if a shortage were to emerge in the UK, Wizz Air could source fuel from alternative countries – a tactic known as “tankering”.

“We can take more fuel than is required in those destinations,” she said. “We can even fly to other countries and and pit-stop, if you will, if we need additional fuel

“But we’re not seeing an Armageddon situation. We have fuel supply. We have other mechanisms for uplifting fuel.” Wizz Air is Europe’s third-largest budget airline, behind Ryanair and easyJet.

Jet2, easyJet and TUI have all committed to not imposing any additional charges on passengers for fuel price increases.

In a world of smartphones and content creators, airlines have strict rules on taking photos or videos while on board, with British Airways tightening its passenger regulations

Every airline has passenger regulations, but holidaymakers may not be aware of the restrictions on taking photos during a flight, as British Airways tightens its rules.

Heading off on holiday is always an exciting time, and it’s natural to want to document the journey, from arriving at the airport and boarding the plane to landing at that sun-drenched destination. But for those eager to take photos or videos during their flight, there are stringent guidelines to follow.

A vast number of airlines that fly thousands of Brits to holiday hotspots every year have specific policies on using a camera on board. While they affirm that it’s not a blanket ban and passengers are still allowed to take photos or videos during the flight, they can’t capture everything on board.

READ MORE: British Airways warns passengers taking certain photos can be kicked off flightsREAD MORE: ‘I’m a pilot – there’s one ritual l do at the airport before every single flight’

Just recently, British Airways introduced tougher guidelines on taking photos and videos while on board and revised its passenger terms. In an update under section 11a on its ‘behaviour on the aircraft’ conditions, the airline noted that none of its crew should be filmed without their consent.

The update stated: “If, while you are on board the aircraft, we reasonably believe that you have filmed, live-streamed or photographed our crew or other colleagues without their consent, we may take any measures we think reasonable to prevent you continuing your behaviour.”

The airline went on to warn that passengers who fail to comply with these rules could be asked to disembark upon landing or be refused passage on the remaining legs of their journey, as shown on their ticket. That’s not all; the incident could be reported to the relevant authorities “with a view to them prosecuting” the passenger for any criminal offences that may have been committed.

BA also pointed out that if diversion expenses arise due to unacceptable conduct, and they redirect the aircraft to an “unscheduled place of destination” and remove a passenger from the plane, that traveller will be liable for the “reasonable and proper costs of the diversion”.

They’re not the only airline to have a policy of this nature in place. Outlining their own policies on the common habit, a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson told the Mirror: “We know our customers enjoy capturing moments during their journey, and photography and filming are permitted onboard. However, we ask that customers always seek permission before including other people, including our crew, in any photos or videos. The comfort and well-being of our customers and crew is always our priority, and our crew may ask customers to stop filming or photographing to protect the privacy of those onboard.”

Meanwhile a spokesperson for Wizz Air told us: “Wizz Air is proud of its cabin crew, who play a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of everyone on board. Filming or taking pictures of cabin crew without their consent is not tolerated on board. Passengers are required to follow crew instructions at all times, and where behaviour is considered disruptive, unsafe, or causes concern to crew or other passengers, appropriate action may be taken in line with our Conditions of Carriage. Our priority is always to help ensure a safe and respectful onboard environment for both passengers and crew.”

As for easyJet, a spokesperson told us: “Customers are welcome to take personal photos and videos as long as it doesn’t disturb the privacy of other customers or include the crew without their consent, so everyone can have a pleasant flight.”

Meanwhile, Ryanair states in its terms and conditions: “Recording or photographing our personnel, whether at the airport or onboard the plane, without their consent is strictly prohibited. Only recordings or photographs personal to you may be permitted.”

While airlines have these regulations in place, it doesn’t mean holidaymakers can’t document their flights. They’re still free to capture images of their seat, the view through the window, cabin features, meals, drinks and any other personal moments – provided they don’t film a crew member directly without their permission.

The same rule applies to photographing or filming fellow passengers on board without their consent. So as long as travellers remain mindful of their surroundings and what they’re recording, it shouldn’t be an issue.

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

OUR Spotlight On Column shines a light on both the little known and the much loved holiday destinations.

This week we’re talking Singapore, including some hidden gems and new hotels.

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

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited.

She explained: “I didn’t expect to love the city as much as I did, but I loved how safe and clean it felt compared to other major cities.

“It’s the kind of place where you’ll never struggle to find amazing food, no matter what your budget it.

TAKING OFF

Two holiday spots including the ‘world’s best city’ are getting new BA flights

GRAND TOUR

How to book dream F1 holiday to the world’s best cities without the stress

“Make sure to look up too – most buildings have living walls or rooftop gardens as strict rules mean any new structures must replace greenery it builds on.”

Here are some of our other top tips if you fancy a trip to the stopover city.

MUST SEE/DO:

The most fun way to get around the city is with a Singapore Sidecar (sideways.sg) where you are driven around by experienced riders.

With options of different tours, one of the best takes you everywhere from the finance district to the huge murals of Yip Yew Chong, who depicts scenes of traditional Singapore.

The tours include numerous photo stops, and the guides know all the answers to any questions you might have too.

Wait for night to fall and then hop over to Garden by The Bay to watch the light show of the famous trees.

HIDDEN GEM

The neighbourhood of Joo Chiat is no longer a hidden gem, after being named one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods.

But tourists often skip over Tin Yeang Restaurant, despite it being a great place to mingle with the locals.

It’s loud, its busy, but you can learn a lot about the culture while enjoying prata (crispy pancakes) with fish curry for just a few pounds.

It’s right by the multicoloured Peranakan houses too, so you can explore the mix of Chinese and Malay heritages afterwards.

BEST VIEW

When it comes to gardens, Singapore goes up by putting them on top of skyscrapers. 

And the best free view is found at Henderson Wave Bridge, the highest footbridge in the city,

Join the other joggers and dog walkers to get views of both the city and nature, without paying a penny.

RATED RESTAURANT

Keng Eng Kee is an institution of a restaurant.

Family-run for more than 50 years, sibling Paul, Wayne and Jia Min are joined by the rest of their relatives when it gets busy.

Plastic bibs are supplied (and needed) for the most popular dishes, the chilli crab, a well as the marmite chicken. Unusual, but salty and delicious.

Make sure to book, as they can easily serve up to 800 tables a weekend.

On a budget? Don’t forget Hawker Chan, an indoor market food hall where you can get Michelin meals for less than a fiver.

BEST BAR

If you only go to one bar, it has to be Jigger + Pony, often named one of the best in the world.

Think speakeasy interiors and pretend magazines that disguise the menu, peppered with articles of the bar’s history.

The Clover Club is a must but staff are also on hand if nothing takes your fancy, to mix something up for you.

You’ll find yourself spending hours there, with fantastic music and service encouraging you to stay late into the night.

HOTEL PICK

Mama Shelter‘s first hotel in Asia, the new opening last year is bringing French flair to Singapore.

The 115 rooms include an unusual two-person bunk option, the perfect option if staying with friends.

Mama’s restaurant is just as fun with eclectic interiors and live music. Try the Szechuan Crispy Chicken and a Ms Violet cocktail (followed by a hungover coffee at Mama Kiss cafe).

Rooms cost from £120 per night. See mamashelter.com.

The airline has confirmed that the route will be axed at the end of May despite running since 2018, as the price of jet fuel leads to cancellations of a number of flight routes across Europe

A major European airline has cancelled a route from the UK that has been running since 2018, and confirmed that it’ll no longer be available to book as of the end of the month.

The move comes as the German airline, one of the largest in Europe, also announced plans to cut 20,000 short-haul flights over the summer as conflict in the Middle East drives up jet fuel prices and has led to fears of shortages.

Lufthansa, the flag carrier airline for Germany, has announced it’ll no longer run its service between Glasgow and Frankfurt, and the last flight between the two cities available to book is on May 31.

A Lufthansa Group spokesman told the Scottish Sun: “Following the decision to discontinue Lufthansa CityLine flights effective immediately and to reduce unprofitable flights in the future due to high kerosene prices, the Lufthansa Group’s summer schedule will be reduced by just under one percent of available seat-kilometers.

“To compensate for this, Lufthansa has taken immediate action and will consolidate the flight schedules of all Lufthansa Group airlines, cancelling 20,000 flights by the end of October. As a result of these decisions, flights to Glasgow will no longer be operated by Lufthansa via Frankfurt, but for the time being, by Edelweiss via Zurich offering access to the Swiss International Air Lines network.”

Lufthansa isn’t the only European airline to cancel flights. Scandinavian airline SAS confirmed it’s cancelling over 1,000 flights after the cost of jet fuel doubled. In the USA, United Airlines announced it would be cancelling 5% of flights in the short term, aiming to restore its full schedule by autumn.

Other airlines are raising prices to try to cover the soaring costs. Virgin Atlantic has said the aviation sector “cannot absorb” jet‑fuel costs at their current levels, forcing them to increase ticket prices.

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Corneel Koster, Virgin Atlantic’s chief executive, told the Telegraph: “I was looking at improving our financial results by a really significant chunk. And then this happens. We have never seen jet fuel at these levels, with prices more than doubling. The industry cannot absorb increases like this.”

The airline has added a surcharge of £50 to its economy class tickets, while those in premium economy will need to pay another £180, and business class passengers will be faced with an additional £360 cost. However, the airline says these surcharges still don’t cover the rising costs.

After labour costs, fuel is the second-highest expense for airlines, and accounts for around 27% of its operating expenses. Prices for jet fuel have doubled since the conflict began, rising from $85 to $90 per barrel to $150 to $200 per barrel in recent weeks.

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

Ryanair is warning customers after problems with the European Entry/Exit System (EES)

Ryanair has provided an update regarding its stance on the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), which is continuing to pose difficulties for travellers. The system affects Brits heading to the Schengen zone, encompassing sought-after destinations including France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.

It is a digital system that is taking the place of conventional passport stamps. Travellers may need to register biometric information, such as fingerprints and a photograph, upon arrival. No advance action is required before reaching the border, and there is no charge for using the system.

EES officially went live on April 10, 2026. Yet difficulties with the system, particularly during peak periods at busy airports, have resulted in its suspension in several countries on multiple occasions.

Budget carrier Ryanair issued a blistering message on social media, demanding the EES rollout be halted until September. The low-cost airline criticised France, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Spain, and Germany for failing to ‘ensure that adequate staffing, system readiness, or kiosks are in place’.

Reports indicate that passengers have been left waiting for hours due to the new system, with some even missing their flights as a result. Branding the system as ‘half-baked’, Ryanair’s statement read: “Despite knowing for over three years that EES would become fully operational from 10 April 2026, France, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Spain, and Germany have failed to ensure that adequate staffing, system readiness, or kiosks are in place.

“As a result, passengers are suffering long passport control queues and, in some cases, missing their flights.

“Ryanair calls on these EU Governments to suspend the rollout of the EU’s passport control Entry/Exit System (EES) until September to ensure that passengers are not needlessly forced to suffer long passport control queue delays at European airports during the peak summer season.”

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The system was gradually rolled out from October 2025 before coming into full effect on April 10 across Schengen countries, which comprise 25 of the EU’s 27 member states alongside Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

Frustrated holidaymakers have reported a range of issues, from an insufficient number of kiosks to handle registrations, to malfunctioning fingerprint scanners and being forced to repeat the entire process on both arrival and departure.

More commercial flights have been departing from Iran’s largest airport following its reopening last week.

Iranian authorities announced the resumption of flights at Imam Khomeini international airport after approximately 58 days of suspension since the launch of the US-Israel war on Iran. Flight information boards also went offline after the closure of Iran’s airspace.

For weeks, the suspension of flights stranded many travellers, disrupted businesses, and separated families.

Air traffic gradually resumed from April 25 with flights to 15 destinations operated by eight domestic airlines, covering regional and international destinations such as Medina, Istanbul, Muscat, China and Russia. Yet the number of flights is a fraction of what it was before the war.

Maryam, a passenger who planned to go to Toronto to see her daughters, told Al Jazeera: “After a lot of stress and problems, now I’ve found a ticket with an Iranian airline — flying first to Armenia with a long layover, and then on to Canada.”

Before the war, the airport was bustling with travellers and would witness 150 flights on a typical day. Now, terminals that were packed, then empty, are slowly filling up again as flights resume.

Ramin Kashef Azar, CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City, told Al Jazeera that the return of foreign carriers, many of which have operated in the country for years, “will depend on political stability and their own risk assessments.” According to the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization, 20 aircraft have been destroyed and are no longer operational. However, the airport infrastructure has not been damaged and is approximately 95 percent ready.

These developments come after Iran’s gradual reopening of its airspace from April 19, in four phases. It encompasses transit flights followed by domestic flights, culminating in the full resumption of operations at international airports, as stated by the Iranian aviation regulator.

Foreign companies are apprehensive about returning to operate at Iranian airports amid the uncertainty surrounding the political and negotiating landscape between Tehran and Washington.

Targeting of airports

Iran’s civil aviation sector has suffered damage as a result of the war. More than 3,300 people have been killed in Iran, and thousands have been injured, in addition to widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.

Another airport that was subject to US-Israel attacks several times was Mehrabad airport, also in Tehran. The airport mainly handles domestic flights. Located in the west of the capital, it was the official airport for international and domestic flights before the construction of Imam Khomeini airport in 2009.

In addition to Mehrabad, airports in Kashan, Tabriz, Ahvaz, Mashhad, Khoy and Urmia were also targeted. Several civilian aircraft have been damaged.

It is not the first time Mehrabad Airport has been attacked. In June 2025, it was reported that Israel targeted Mehrabad airport during the 12-day war. Iranian authorities, however, said the airport and its runways escaped damage.

The impact of the war goes beyond airports. It has affected other businesses, causing revenue losses, layoffs and operational disruptions.

Babak, a tour guide, said he and many of his colleagues lost their jobs “because there were no incoming or outgoing tours, as flights were suspended and the war was ongoing”.

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which comes with a peak aviation season for Iranian airports, also witnessed flight suspensions and caused major disruption. According to Bijan, a travel agent, this affected tours, charter flights, and hotel bookings. He added that they are processing refunds and had to cut staffing from 20 to just two.

Airports are coming back to life, and passengers are returning, hinting at a fragile normalcy after weeks of silence. Each departure signals renewed connection with the world, even as uncertainty on the ground endures.

British Airways has enforced stricter rules for passengers, including a habit that is now banned, and if failed to comply, the airline may take ‘any measures’ necessary to stop it

British Airways has enforced stricter rules for passengers about a behaviour that could see them removed from the aircraft.

In a world of influencers and content creators, using smartphones on planes has become increasingly popular, with many opting to capture every moment of their journey in photos or videos. Even holidaymakers without a mega social media following often snap their experience on board.

While it might seem like a relatively harmless act, it can actually land travellers in serious trouble, whether they’re a content creator or not. British Airways has updated its terms for passengers on board, introducing stricter guidelines on taking photos and videos.

In an update under section 11a on its ‘behaviour on the aircraft’ conditions, the airline stated: “If, while you are on board the aircraft, we reasonably believe that you have filmed, live-streamed or photographed our crew or other colleagues without their consent, we may take any measures we think reasonable to prevent you continuing your behaviour.”

They further outlined that if passengers fail to comply with these rules, they could be asked to leave the aircraft, upon landing, or be refused carriage on the remaining sectors of the journey shown on their ticket. Additionally, it could also result in the incident on board being reported to relevant authorities “with a view to them prosecuting” the passenger for any criminal offences that might have been committed.

BA also noted that if diversion costs are a result of unacceptable behaviour, and they divert the plane to an “unscheduled place of destination” and make a passenger leave the aircraft, the traveller will have to pay the “reasonable and proper costs of the diversion”.

However, this doesn’t mean that passengers are completely banned from taking photos while on board. They can still grab a snap of their seat, view out of the window, cabin features, meals, drinks and any other personal highlights – as long as they don’t directly film a member of cabin crew without their consent.

This is the same rule for taking photos or videos of other passengers while on board without their consent. So as long as holidaymakers are wary of their surroundings and what they’re capturing, they can still document their journey, be it for social media or a personal travel album.

BA isn’t the only airline to enforce these rules, banning photos of cabin crew without consent. Ryanair states in its terms and conditions: “Recording or photographing our personnel, whether at the airport or onboard the plane, without their consent is strictly prohibited. Only recordings or photographs personal to you may be permitted.”

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

Dubbed a ‘Mediterranean masterpiece’ that’s like ‘stepping into a screensaver’, this unspoilt beach has been among the world’s best – and it’s just three hours from the UK with £28 flights

The world’s best beaches have been named, and there’s one pristine shore just three hours from the UK with turquoise waters and sugar-white sand.

Fteri Beach on Greece’s Kefalonia island is officially Europe’s most beautiful beach after it was named on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Beaches list. The stunning coastline of Fteri was ranked second-best in the world in the annual awards and was the only European coastline to secure a place in the top 10, while Entalula Beach in the Philippines took the top spot.

The votes were decided by a team of more than 1,000 travel experts, who noted that Fteri Beach was an “isolated and majestic Greek perfection”. They highlighted that its position tucked away in a secluded cove contributes to its “pristine and serene atmosphere,” which sets it apart from other tourist hotspots.

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The shore could easily be compared to those found in the Caribbean, thanks to its stunning white pebbles mixed with sand and the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea. Its breathtaking scenes are only enhanced by the dramatic white cliffs that tower around the beach, adding to its secluded oasis beneath the Mediterranean sun.

The unspoiled beach is a haven for those looking for a quieter day at the beach and to admire some of the most picture-perfect vistas. Despite its more remote location, the beach is accessible by boat or by hiking down a steep trail, and the journey is well worth it to experience this little slice of paradise.

What’s more, the island of Kefalonia is just over three hours from the UK, and direct one-way flights start from just £28 with Ryanair, departing from London Stansted, according to Skyscanner. You can also fly directly to Kefalonia from various UK airports, including Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff, so it couldn’t be easier to jet abroad to one of the world’s best beaches.

Those who have visited Fteri Beach have been blown away by its azure waters and views that have been compared to a computer screensaver. One fan shared on TripAdvisor: “Such beautiful waters are hard to see! Of course, it requires an effort because they are only accessible by a mountain path, but it is absolutely worth it!

A second commented: “Fteri Beach is the real deal – glistening turquoise water, towering white cliffs, and the kind of peaceful silence you want to bottle and take home. Swimming here feels like stepping into a screensaver, and the lack of crowds keeps the magic intact. It’s not just one of Kefalonia’s best – it’s a full-on Mediterranean masterpiece.”

However, due to its untouched location, travellers noted that there aren’t any facilities, including toilets, bars, or sunbeds, so advised visitors to take their own umbrellas and drinks. Many also mentioned that they reached the beach by booking a water taxi within about 5 minutes and were able to swim in the crystal-clear waters during a serene day out.

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

Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi has been seeing more flights take off at the main airport in Iran’s capital, where operations resumed on Saturday as the ceasefire with the US and Israel continues.

People need to remember this, or they could be caught out

Passengers set to head off on holiday with Jet2 soon have been reminded of an important policy they will need to follow on their flight. Failing to prepare could see people caught out by the fairly common airline rule.

Anyone who has been on an aeroplane recently will know that cabin crew will often offer a choice of popular snacks and drinks as well as meal options. On short-haul flights, these are not included in the ticket price, and people can pay extra for them if they choose.

Ahead of their holiday with the airline, a passenger asked Jet2’s customer service team online for a reminder. Posting on X, Kim said: “Am I able to pay with cash on board flight or are you cashless?”

Jet2 responded within minutes to confirm the policy. The airline said: “Hi Kim, that is correct. We operate a fully cashless service onboard all flights, accepting only card and contactless payments.”

Aside from in-flight food and drinks, Jet2 offers customers a selection of in-flight purchases to start or end their holiday. Passengers can use the on-board magazine to browse from the choice of available skincare, makeup, beauty, watches and more.

Why have airlines stopped accepting cash for on-board purchases?

Accepting payments by debit or credit card, including Apple Pay or Google Pay, helps cabin crew keep services running as quickly and smoothly as possible while in the air. It removes the need for staff to handle and keep cash secure on flights.

Businesses in the UK are under no legal obligation to accept cash. While cash is legal tender, businesses have the right to set their own terms of sale and choose which payment methods to accept, according to Parliament.

There is no law requiring businesses to accept cash, though this is a subject of ongoing debate regarding consumer choice. A business can legally refuse cash, provided they inform customers of its card-only policy.

In Jet2’s case, it is made clear on the company website, as a spokesperson said: “Just so you know, we only accept card and contactless payments onboard all our flights. You’ll need to bring your physical bank card to use chip and PIN when purchasing products from our Jet2shop.”

In other news, Jet2 has shared a new ‘suspended’ Greece holiday update for passengers. On its website, the firm issued an announcement on Tuesday, April 28, that will affect travellers with flights and holidays booked to the European country.

In the announcement, Jet2 praised Greek authorities for “prioritising customers” by putting the European Union ‘s new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks on hold. It follows the country’s confirmation of the suspension of the EES biometric checks for UK holidaymakers travelling to Greece.

SPANISH holidays are under threat as Ryanair looks to cancel even more flights to the popular European destination.

Ryanair has slammed the Spanish government over rising airport fees in the country, warning that they could reduce even more flights to Spain.

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

It comes as Aena – Spain‘s airports operator – plans to increase airport fees by 3.8 per cent each year between 2027 and 2031, which works out to 21 per cent total over five years.

Yesterday, Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson said the new fees are “neglecting regional Spain” and that there could be further cancellations if the new charges go ahead.

Mr Wilson previously said: “Next winter we will make further cuts to regional airport services and I remind you that our total traffic in Spain for this summer will only grow by 0.5 per cent compared to 9 per cent in Italy, 11 per cent in Morocco or 20 per cent in Poland.

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“Aena’s proposal to increase fares by 21 per cent is regrettable, but not surprising, as this airport monopoly has a history of applying the highest fares at the expense of traffic development, especially at Spain’s regional airports, which are 70 per cent empty.”

He added that if the fees did increase it would “make even the most popular airports in Spain uncompetitive” and that Ryanair would turn to “other places in Europe where rates are more competitive”.

These destinations would include Albania, Sweden, Italy and Morocco.

Ryanair has already slashed 1.8million seats, with another 1.2million set for this summer. This includes all flights being cancelled to:

• Asturias
• Vigo
• Tenerife North
• Jerez
• Valladolid

Here’s more on which Spanish destinations are losing their Ryanair flights.

The low-cost airline is cancelling flights in May and June due to soaring aviation fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East

An airline that operates routes to and from the UK is axing flights in May and June because of surging fuel costs. Transavia, the budget airline owned by the Air France-KLM group, is scrapping scheduled services for May and June to cut expenses as aviation fuel prices soar due to the Middle East conflict.

The Air France-KLM group’s low-cost arm will change its timetable for May and June to streamline costs amid rocketing fuel prices linked to the Middle East war, a spokesperson confirmed to AFP. The airline operates from London Stansted to Rotterdam several times a week, and is used by tourists who fly to Schiphol airport in the Netherlands before going on to other European destinations with Transavia.

“Due to the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East and its impact on aviation fuel prices, Transavia France is adapting its flight schedule and is forced to cancel several flights scheduled for May and June 2026,” the carrier, which runs medium-distance routes, stated.

The cancellations represent “less than 2% of the flight schedule for the May-June period,” a spokesperson informed AFP. Transavia said “customers affected by a cancellation are notified individually by SMS and email.” Details of which routes are affected have not been disclosed so far.

They can then “benefit, according to their choice, from a free rescheduling, a voucher, or a full refund of their ticket.” Additionally, “for the majority of cancelled flights, a rescheduling solution within 24 hours is offered,” the airline states.

Europe normally gets half of its fuel from Gulf nations. However, since the start of the war between the United States and Iran in late February, the Strait of Hormuz has been shut down by Tehran.

In Brussels, European Commissioner Dan Jorgensen warned that the EU was “approaching very rapidly” a potential supply crisis, raising concerns about a summer characterised by “higher airfares and cancellations.” Airlines including Transavia have already begun raising ticket prices, with increases averaging approximately 10 euros per return journey, according to the carrier’s spokesperson speaking to AFP.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones warned on Sunday that the ongoing conflict is likely to push up costs for energy, food and flight tickets in the coming months, with potential disruptions to energy supplies affecting production rather than causing empty supermarket shelves.

“You’re going to see prices go up a bit as a consequence of what Donald Trump has done in the Middle East,” he told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme. “That’s probably going to come online not just in the next few weeks, but the next few months. There’s going to be a long tail from this.”

When pressed on how long elevated prices could last, he indicated it would be roughly eight months after the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and tensions in the region begin to ease. “I think our best guess is eight-plus months from the point of resolution that you’ll see economic impacts coming through the system,” the minister said.

Last week, German airline Lufthansa said it would cut 20,000 European short-haul flights over the summer. It blamed the price of jet fuel.

An industry expert told travel journalist Simon Calder on his podcast last week that he expected more flights to be cut by airlines. Ted Wake, managing director of Kirker Holidays, said: “I think Lufthansa has got a very comprehensive schedule. Twenty thousand flights isn’t a drop in the ocean but it’s a relatively small number if you look at the overall picture.

“I think other airlines within the UK market will be doing something similar.”

Major airlines cancelled 34 flights with 272 more delayed on Sunday, April 26, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at several different airports

Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded after 34 flights were cancelled and a further 272 delayed across the region.

Widespread disruption was recorded throughout aviation networks across Australia and New Zealand on Sunday,April 26.

Travellers were left stuck at major airports, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch.

Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia were responsible for the bulk of the cancellations, though the knock-on effect was felt throughout the broader travel network.

New Zealand saw numerous flights fail to operate, while Australian passengers endured lengthy hold-ups, reports the Express.

Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport bore the brunt of the delays, with 84 flights failing to depart or arrive on time.

A further seven flights from the Victoria airport were also axed throughout the day, all of which belonged to either Virgin Australia or Jetstar.

As Australia’s busiest airport, Sydney recorded the highest number of cancellations, with 10 flights failing to take off and leaving scores of passengers stranded.

A further 69 flights at the airport also faced significant delays.

Brisbane was similarly affected, with 62 flights experiencing considerable hold-ups and lengthy waiting times.

Across New Zealand, Auckland was hit with eight cancelled flights and 44 delays, with the disruption particularly affecting long-haul connecting services from the country.

Wellington experienced fewer disruptions overall, though four flights were still cancelled.

The travel disruption comes amid mounting concerns surrounding air travel as a result of the ongoing Middle East conflict and rising fuel costs.

While this is not considered the cause of the current chaos, New Zealand airlines have spoken out about the impact that soaring energy prices are having on the industry.

On April 7, Air New Zealand announced that it would reduce flights throughout May and June and increase ticket prices, noting it had been amongst the first carriers to introduce widespread fare hikes when the conflict erupted.

Passengers affected by the travel disruption have been advised to get in touch with their airlines to discuss compensation.

In the mood for more sun? Wizz Air are launching six new routes from London to Spanish hotspots this summer, and prices start from just £18 one way to some of the country’s best destinations

Nothing beats some Spanish sunshine, and if the British weather still isn’t warm enough for you, then some new Wizz Air routes can take you somewhere with better weather in less than three hours.

Wizz Air is launching new flights from London Luton Airport to six Spanish destinations, adding to its existing route from the Bedfordshire airport to Palma in Majorca. The new destinations include a mix of city breaks and coastal favourites, so whether you’re looking for a family holiday or a cultural weekend away, there is bound to be something to suit you.

Here are the new destinations now available to book from London Luton and what you need to know about each one.

Bilbao

Bilbao is set in Spain’s lesser-visited north, which has been growing in popularity recently as people look to explore different parts of the country.

This classic Basque city has a mix of old-world and industrial influences, and it’s a cultural hub for the area. There’s the Guggenheim Museum with a Frank Gehry-designed exterior, the medieval Casco Viejo old town, and Mercado de la Ribera, the world’s largest indoor market.

Barcelona

Can’t decide between a city break and the beach? Choose Barcelona, which not only has the long sandy Barceloneta Beach, but also has the gorgeous city center, including Gaudí’s iconic architecture, La Ramblas, a thriving food scene, and endless museums and things to do.

Best of all, the London to Barcelona flight time is just shy of two hours, so it’s perfect for a short break, such as a weekend away, and the compact size means you can fit plenty into a short trip.

Madrid

The vibrant and energetic capital of Madrid is an ideal city break thanks to its short flight times and streets packed with history and culture. It’s home to some of Spain’s most important museums such as the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. The latter hosts a number of iconic paintings from renaissance to pop art pieces.

Visitors should also visit the grand Royal Palace, and walk along the historic Plaza Mayor, which is full of chic cafés and places serving authentic Spanish cuisine.

Valencia

An underrated city break destination, Valencia sits on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea. While it’s the third-largest city in Spain, it’s not often visited by Brits, despite having an impressive amount of things to do.

From historic markets to green spaces, the modern City of Arts and Sciences to the La Lonja de la Seda, an ornate palace, Valencia packs in the old and new. Its location also means it has an abundance of beautiful beaches, so you can get some time in the sun after sightseeing.

Alicante

Alicante needs no introduction. It’s that city you land in on the way to Benidorm. However, before you board the transfer bus, you may want to spend some time in Alicante itself. Walk the peaceful Explanada de España, lined with palm trees, or the Castell de Santa Bàrbera fort from the 16th century.

Alicante’s hillside Barrio Santa Cruz is full of traditional Mediterranean homes and colourful buildings, and feels a world away from Benidorm. There’s also the sandy Playa del Postiguet beach just steps from the town.

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Seville

Say olé to Seville and you could be enjoying vibrant flamenco shows, authentic tapas, and the beautiful narrow winding streets of this historic city.

Visit the stunning Alcázar palace, or walk the world-famous Plaza de España, enjoying the intricate mosaic designs. Seville also has the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and as impressive as it is, it’s just one of the many breathtaking buildings you’ll see around the city.

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