mega

A MAJOR US airline has announced it will no longer conduct flight operations out of one of the country’s busiest airports.

Budget-friendly Spirit Airlines announced in late September that it will cease service in a midwestern city as part of the company’s restructuring effort to prioritize stronger markets.

Beginning on December 1, Spirit Airlines will no longer serve passengers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

The budget-friendly airline has been struggling financially following its second bankruptcy filing during the summer.

“We apologize to our guests for any inconvenience and will reach out to those with affected reservations to issue a refund,” the company said in a statement at the time.

Minneapolis is among several cities where Spirit Airlines will exit.

Impacted cities include Macon, Georgia, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Birmingham, Alabama, Boise, Idaho, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Columbia, South Carolina, Portland, Oregon, Salt Lake City, Utah, and four cities in California, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Jose.

Around the same time, Spirit Airlines confirmed that it would be laying off around one-third of its flight attendants, according to CBS News.

Then, on October 31, Hartford, Connecticut became the latest city Spirit Airlines ceased to conduct service in.

Spirit cut its services out of Bradley International Airport, calling the continued halts to its services “very difficult.”

‘INEXPLICABLE DECISION’

However, Spirit is not the only airline facing financial woes, Avelo Airlines also announced it would stop services at Bradley International Airport.

The airline cited financial struggles as the main reason for leaving the Hartford airport.

However, officials disagreed with the decision as leaving the airport also removes the only direct flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica, from Connecticut.

“The CAA is especially disappointed on behalf of the community, which has fought so hard to secure nonstop service to Jamaica over recent years,” the Connecticut Airport Authority stated.

“The decision to cancel the MBJ route is inexplicable, given the strong ridership, subsidies received, significant airport incentives, and community support.”

THE NEW Universal Studios theme park coming to the UK will get its very own train station.

The train station is set to be built in Stewartby in Bedfordshire to serve the Universal Studios theme park, which is aiming to open in the early 2030s.

The station will become part of the East West Rail (EWR) line, which will connect Oxford to Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford.

The station will be vital for the new attraction, which is set to attract over 8.5million people in its opening year alone.

In a report released by EWR, it states: “We’re now planning to provide a consolidated Stewartby-Kempston Hardwick station which would allow people to travel to the Universal resort without negatively impacting other users.”

Through recent talks with local communities, the proposed number of trains running via the station each hour has been increased from three or four, to five.

Read more on travel inspo

SUN SWAP

I’ve visited Florida 50 times… my holiday costs less than a European all-inclusive

WALT NOW?

I’m a Disney expert – what to expect from new theme park from Fortnite to Frozen

This would mean up to 70 per cent more seating across the route.

The new station would also feature walking and cycling routes.

The report added: “Given Universal’s proposals are still emerging, we’re working with them and other stakeholders to determine the design and exact position of the station.

“We would like to provide reassurance that as we progress this work, we are focused on not just integrating the design for this station with the wider development proposals but also maintaining access to the strategic road network and local destinations.

“Once we have undertaken this work, we will provide further information when we consult in 2026.”

The station will be part of the wider East West Rail line project, which is expected to unlock around £6.7billion of regional economic growth by 2050, with 100,000 new homes.

A spokesperson for Universal Destinations and Experiences (UDX) said: “Government’s commitment in furthering multi-modal opportunities to grow the UK’s economy is highly encouraging, as companies like UDX look to place major investments in the UK.

“Other plans include seven new stations, and the use of cutting-edge hybrid battery-electric trains to deliver faster, greener services along the partially electrified route while keeping costs down.”

The spokesperson added that the in addition to the new eastern entrance at Cambridge Central, EWR is also planning to create a new Cambridge East Station.

Other plans included in the EWR project – which is set to cost between £5.7billion and £6.6billion – include establishing new station entrances at Bletchley and Bedford.

And the Marston Vale Line will get four new larger stations to replace nine smaller and tired ones.

Currently, stations on the Marston Vale Line see some of the lowest usage in the country, but the new stations would serve local communities better and ultimately help to serve Universal theme park.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “East West Rail is more than a railway – it’s a catalyst for growth, more jobs and opportunity, and this project will make rail travel faster, greener and more reliable for millions of passengers.”

“By investing in modern infrastructure, we’re laying the foundations for long-term prosperity in one of the UK’s most dynamic regions while ensuring that the UK has a rail network passengers can be proud of.”

SEE CLEARLY

Mechanic reveals ‘secret’ button that will defrost your windows even quicker

waltzing off

La Voix’s statement in full as injured star is forced to pull out of Strictly

In other rail news, a UK train station that looks like a ‘cosmic spaceship’ has become a major landmark.

Plus, two new train routes could be coming to the UK that will connect major cities.

THE UK is set to get a brand new neighbourhood with film studios, play spaces and outdoor film screenings.

Plans have been revealed for a new £1billion creative neighbourhood, called the Camden Film Quarter, located in London, which is set to bring film and TV studios into the city centre.

According to Time Out, the new studios and overall site will be the “UK’s answer to Hollywood“.

Developed by the same people behind London‘s Olympia – Yoo Capital – the new neighbourhood would create space for British creative industries to grow.

What makes the project even better is that, rather unusually, the studios building set for the site would be open to visitors to explore, with a studio tour, cafes, restaurants, events and a roof garden.

The planned area for redevelopment sits west of Kentish Town and, once built, would be home to a number of film, creative and cultural industries.

Read more on travel inspo

TAKING OFF

I’ve visited 50 countries & this much-loathed budget airline is the world’s best

SI MORE

Ditch Paris and Mykonos… experts reveal most overrated hols and where to go instead

In the neighbourhood, there would be several film and TV studios, eight sound stages, galleries, shops, restaurants and bars, a gym, community spaces and public spaces.

In addition, there will be an Education Hub for people interested in entering film, TV and digital careers and The London Screen Academy for 16-19-year-olds to learn about production.

The National Film and Television School, which is one of the most respected screen schools in the world, is also set to open a campus in the Camden Film Quarter.

According to Yoo Capital, “the architecture [of Camden Film Quarter] references the area’s industrial heritage through robust materials such as brick and metal”.

Away from the buildings, in sunny weather the public will also be able to enjoy six new play spaces, two or more parks and 400sqm of rain gardens – all set to feature sculptures, murals and interactive pieces as well.

The play spaces will include areas inspired by the journey of water, with a large seasonal dry river bed and natural stone play.

In the area known as Western Park, visitors will be able to explore local markets, art installations and outdoor film screenings.

Then, in the area known as Eastern Park, there would be smaller green spaces and playgrounds.

There would also be a pedestrian high-line route (a walking route above roads and railway lines) around the buildings and around 1,000 new homes.

Plans were submitted to Camden Council last month, who will decide whether to approve the project or not and it is currently unclear when the project would open if it is approved by the council.

A report detailing the project states: “Camden Film Quarter will establish Kentish Town as a new centre for the creative industries, bringing film and media jobs right into the neighbourhood.

“The development will include inner London’s first significant film studio campus – state-of-the-art sound stages and studios that meet the booming film and TV sector’s need for production space.”

Plans to create the Camden Film Quarter were first unveiled in 2023.

At the time, Lloyd Lee, managing partner at Yoo Capital, said: “We are looking forward to working with the London Borough of Camden and the local community to bring forward the ambitions for a Camden Film Quarter.

“This project will be a shot in the arm for the UK’s creative industries as we look to fuel its exponential growth by attracting the best talent in TV and film to the area.”

Councillor Danny Beales, cabinet member for New Homes, Jobs and Community Investment, said: “We know there is huge creative potential in the people who live and work in Camden.

“We want to unlock the Kentish Town industrial area to transform this cut-off, unwelcoming site, into one that becomes a greener, welcoming space, connecting Gospel Oak with Kentish Town.

“A new thriving neighbourhood, which is a beacon for creativity, providing more desperately needed affordable homes for local people, good jobs and opportunities for existing communities.”

HORROR TOWN

Our once proud town is besieged by masked machete yobs – even cops are targets

CRUEL ORDEAL

I was blinded & my pals were killed by dangerous trend in Brit holiday hotspot

Yoo Capital is also behind London’s newest tourist town in a ‘forgotten’ district, which will be a £1.3 billion attraction with hotels, a theatre and a rooftop bar.

Plus, a new Pixar attraction is set to open in UK – with film sets you can step into including Toy Story, Monsters Inc and Up.

HAVEN is getting ready to open even more of the popular boozers at its sites ready for spring 2026.

The holiday park announced it will have four new JD Wetherspoon pubs, taking its total across the UK up to nine.

The Haven sites that will welcome the new watering holes are Cala Gran in Blackpool, Hopton in Norfolk, Lakeland in the Lake District and Riviere Sands in Cornwall.

Not much has been revealed about the new pubs including their names although Haven has said will be “linked to the proud heritage of the local areas our parks are located in.”

However, first-look images for the Wetherspoons at Lakeland has revealed its new interiors.

It will have brightly coloured patterned carpet with striped chairs, a bar area and pendant lights that hang from the ceiling.

YULE DO

Travel expert reveals cheap UK holiday parks with Xmas breaks from £9pp a night

SNOW WAY

All the best Xmas days out under £10 including FREE ice skating & Santa’s grotto

Another angle shows cosy booth seating with benches, huge windows and skylights.

The holiday park first signed an agreement with the famous pubs last year.

The new £9million pub expansion is part of a bigger £14million investment in Haven’s food and drink across the parks.

Other brands already at certain sites include Burger King, Papa Johns and Millie’s Cookies.

And the company is splashing out £10million on a new water park at their Kent Coast site as well as a renovated show bar at Martin Mere and a new supermarket at Haven Kent Coast.

Haven opened its first Wetherspoons at Haven’s Primrose Valley in Filey in March 2024.

The pub is called The Five Stones, it has the iconic Wetherspoons carpets as well as 250 seats inside.

It opens at 8am; punters can’t order anything alcoholic until 10am (although it stays open until 1am in the summer so you have more than enough time to drink).

One man who was having a drink at Filey during opening day said: “It’s a ten-minute walk to the beach from the Haven site and we’ve made a lot of lovely friends among the other caravan owners on the site. A Wetherspoons is a bonus.”

Wetherspoons CEO John Hutson said: “Our pub at Primrose Valley has proven a great success and we are confident that the four new pubs will be welcomed by guests and owners.”

There are four other Haven sites that also have Wetherspoons pubs; one is in Devon Cliffs which is called The Red Rocks.

Another is The Humber Stone at Cleethorpes Beach in Lincolnshire, and The Sir Thomas Hagiston in Northumberland.

HORROR TOWN

Our once proud town is besieged by masked machete yobs – even cops are targets

CRUEL ORDEAL

I was blinded & my pals were killed by dangerous trend in Brit holiday hotspot

One Travel Reporter visited the world’s smallest Wetherspoons…

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding went for a bite to eat at the world’s smallest Wetherspoons in London…

Some UK airports have Wetherspoons, but I have never come across one in a train station before.

Sat at one end of Cannon Street Station in London, you will find the Sir John Hawkshaw, complete with just 42 tables.

Whilst that might sound a lot, compared to the usual London Spoons, this is considerably less.

And the obscurities about this spot just continue – if you need to use the toilet, well then you’ll need to head to the other end of the station and down a set of stairs.

I tested out the journey myself, and it took me around one minute (no good if you’re desperate!).

For those who love to train spot, sit outside on the terrace, which is essentially like sitting on one of the platforms.

The boozer opened back in 2014 and is named after one of the co-designers of the original station building, which first opened in 1866.

Inside, it does have a more cosy feel than most Wetherspoons pubs I have visited.

Despite its small size, the pub still features Spoons’ extensive menu and the service isn’t impacted either.

To learn more about the pub, look for a blue plaque on the veranda.

It states: “The station had eight platforms under a single span arch roof. Far below the station are the remains of a Roman palace, built in the first century.”

For more on Wetherspoons, one man spend £30k visiting every single one in the UK – and here’s his guide to finding the best ones.

And for more Haven fun, hear from one woman who visits the holiday park every year with her family and discovered secret places guests don’t know about.

TWO holiday parks are getting a multi-million pound upgrade with some very exciting new additions.

Parkdean currently has 65 resorts across the UK, and is one of the most popular holiday parks in the country.

And new plans have revealed a massive £50million upgrade across two of them.

Both Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth and Highfield Grange Holiday Park in Essex.

This includes a new sports bar concept called Hat-Tricks.

Not only will there be sports such as shuffleboard and darts, but it will also serve classic food and drink options.

Read more on holiday parks

PARK UP

Popular UK holiday park to get £2million winter wonderland this Christmas

SPELLBOUND

My stay at the spookiest UK holiday park – complete with ‘human cauldrons’

Indoor adventure golf and Bear Grylls escape rooms are also new additions to the parks.

Other upgrades include an expanded Tots Zones, to both the indoor and outdoor play zones, as well as the high rope courses.

The upgrades will be ready for the new season in spring 2026.

Parkdean’s chief executive Steve Richards said: “In 2026 we will be investing approximately £50m in our holiday parks to improve facilities, elevate guest experience, and keep families coming back to these fantastic locations throughout the UK.

“Next year guests will see Highfield Grange and Vauxhall transformed with major investments to upgrade and diversify the on-park activities.

“We are excited to welcome guests to see all that these parks have to offer next year.”

More than three million people stayed at a Parkdean resort in the UK last year.

And earlier this year, nine of the Parkdean resorts launched a brand new all-inclusive deal.

It’s not the only holiday park getting a major expansion.

The Sun’s Digital Features Editor went to Parkdean’s Trecco Bay site.

She said: “We’d started our long weekend on a high — literally — when my four-year-old son Adam gave us his best impression of Buzz Lightyear as he bounced and flew into the sky on a bungee trampoline.

“Our daughter, Anna, excitedly made a beeline for the Arts And Crafts activity den — which turned out to be the perfect antidote to a busy and andreline-fuelled morning.

“What’s really impressive about Parkdean is the sheer choice of things to do, and those who know exactly what activities they wish to try can book and manage them online, six weeks in advance of their stay.

“But you don’t need to panic if you’re not up for plotting out an itinerary as so much is still available for last-minute visits.

“And if you are on a budget, you won’t be short of freebie attractions either including an adventure playground, pirate-themed crazy golf and an outdoor splash park.”

Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park in Rhyl is getting a £1million boost with

moving fast

MAFS couple PREGNANT days after they get married as strangers on show

WEDDING RIFT

Adam Peaty’s family feud escalates as he BANS mum from wedding to Holly Ramsay

Haven’s Kent Coast Holiday Park near Rochester is getting a new £10million swimming pool and water flume.

And Haven recently welcomed new Wetherspoons pubs at a number of their resorts, the first holiday park in the UK to do so.

ONE London spot well-known for its historic dinosaur sculptures is set to get a new playpark entirely themed on the prehistoric beasts.

Crystal Palace is well known for many things including its football team and giant transmitting tower, but its much-loved park is set to get a new children’s play area.

The new playground will be inspired by the Crystal Palace Park’s famous dinosaur sculptures.

When the park first opened in 1856, they were the world’s first attempt to depict the prehistoric creatures based on fossils found by Victorian palaeontologists.

In the park, children will be able to find elements of dinosaurs everywhere to spark their imagination – think claw marks carved into the slides and a skeleton-like structure to venture through and climb on.

There will also be a play trail formed from a curving dinosaur’s tail and a sandpit in the giant footprint of a dinosaur.

Read more on travel inspo

SHOW BOAT 

I tried new Omaze-style draw for superyacht holidays & lived like a billionaire

ALL IN

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

Other elements of the playpark include jumping discs, a log scramble and swings for younger children.

For spectating parents, there is a picnic area too.

A lot of the park will be accessible as well, with a wheelchair accessible roundabout, accessible swing and slide, tactile games and there will be accessible access to the sand pit as well.

Many of the features of the park have been shaped by ideas from children that live close to the park.

This included the Megalosaurus, Hylaeosaurus, and Iguanodon being found the most popular dinosaurs and as a result, there will be reference to them across the park.

And it will replace the old playground, which will remain open until the new one is finished.

It will be located near the main park toilets, the new visitor centre, the cafe and en route to the dinosaur sculptures.

A number of people have already expressed their excitement for the attraction, with one person commenting on Facebook: “Cannot wait to take my grandsons when it is ready.”

Another added: “The best news. Thanks to everyone who is involved in making this happen. Happy days!”

The new playpark forms part of the regeneration project of the park.

There are around 30 statues of dinosaurs at the park – but they are a little different to how we know dinosaurs to look today as the Victorians created them from the scientific information they had at the time.

It is completely free to see the sculptures, which are littered on islands in the park’s lakes.

The statues are all Grade I listed and currently undergoing restoration.

Another part of the project is the creation of a new visitor centre.

Inside, visitors will be able to discover the 170-year-old history of the park.

The new single-storey building will replace the existing information centre and provide space for an activity room, with displays, historic objects and information panels.

The Grand Centre Walk is being restored as well, with more space for events.

The path will become wider and there will be a new entrance at Penge Gate too.

And the park’s Italian terraces are being repaired, after being placed on Historic England‘s At Risk Register.

The parks entire makeover is costing around £52million.

‘MY TRUTH’

TikTok star Brittany Miller breaks silence in tearful video after faking cancer

STREET SMART

The high street job which pays £120k a year – with £1.5k worth of discounts

If you are looking for something to do with kids now, then you could head to a huge indoor playground that only opened in the UK last year – it has oak tree slides and castle play fort.

Plus, one of England’s most popular children’s playgrounds is about to get much better.

BRITISH Airways passengers will soon be able to stay connected mid-flight without having to pay a penny.

The airline has confirmed that they will be rolling out Starlink WiFi on all of their planes next year.

Not only will it be available in all cabins, but it will be completely free for all passengers.

The high speed network means passengers will be able to stream video onboard without any lag.

This also includes over remote regions and oceans, a common area where WiFi can often cut out.

BA boss Sean Doyle, British Airways said “Launching Starlink on both our long-haul and short-haul aircraft is game-changing for us and our customers, elevating their experience on board our flights by offering them seamless connectivity from gate-to-gate.

Read more on British Airways

SO FLY

BA’s new airport lounge is so posh it feels like The Ritz (with free pic n’ mix)

BA-D NEWS

British Airways cancels popular long haul route from major UK airport

“Especially on short-haul, this will really differentiate us from our competitors.”

The rollout is part of British Airways’ massive £7billion expansion.

This includes new airport lounges in both Dubai and Miami, with the Sun’s Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding trying out the latter.

Another 15 airport lounges are being upgraded, with 17 new short-haul aircrafts being introduced.

British Airways is also rolling out a new First Class Suite, with its biggest bed yet as well as 32inch screens.

A new app is also being rolled out next year.

Mr Doyle said at the time the app would be similar to an Amazon when it comes to easily being able to book flights.

He explained: “The website’s been around for 22 years. We were leaders in it many years ago and we’d improved it down through the years.

“But we’ve been falling behind and we need to catch up and leapfrog the rest.”

Other inflight upgrades include larger overhead lockers – where suitcases lie on their side rather than flat – and upgraded seats made from Scottish leather.

But British Airways isn’t the first airline to roll out Starlink onboard.

Back in March, United Airlines confirmed that they would be adding the free WiFi service to more than 40 aircraft.

And Qatar Airways confirmed that all passengers will be able to use free Starlink onboard – even FaceTiming a flight attendant to show how fast it will be