Ryanair has stopped flying to the popular holiday destinationCredit: Getty
From today – March 29, 2026 – all services to and from the Azores – which are famous for their stunning beaches and vibrant greenery – have been stopped.
The move means six different routes have been scrapped, impacting approximately 400,000 passengers who visit the islands annually.
The airline previously pointed to a 120 per cent rise in air traffic control charges and the introduction of a new travel tax as the breaking points.
Ryanair’s CCO Jason McGuinness said: “We are disappointed that the French airport monopoly ANA continues to raise Portuguese airport fees to line its pockets, at the expense of Portuguese tourism and jobs – particularly on the Portuguese islands.”
As costs continue to climb, the airline stated it had no choice but to move its planes to cheaper airports elsewhere in Europe.
McGuinness added: “As a direct result of these rising costs, we have been left with no alternative other than to cancel all Azores flights from 29 March 2026 onwards.”
The region – located about 950 miles from mainland Portugal – has lost direct low-fare links to London, Brussels, Lisbon and Porto.
The nine volcanic islands are known for having unspoiled beauty, which includes vibrant green hills and black sandy beaches.
British Airways still flies to the islands seasonally, with direct flights from London Heathrow to Ponta Delgada and Terceira.
The Azores is famous for its stunning beaches and vibrant greeneryCredit: Getty
BULLDOZERS have moved in on one of Britain’s most iconic seaside amusement parks, but thrillseekers have been thrown a lifeline.
Generations of holidaymakers have flocked to the legendary amusement park for more than a century of candyfloss and white-knuckle rides.
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Coney Beach is being demolished after operating for 107 yearsCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoThe attraction first opened way back in 1918Credit: Alamy
But Coney Beach Amusement Park in Porthcawl, South Wales, is now being reduced to rubble after bosses padlocked the famous gates for the very last time in October.
The park hosted a farewell fireworks display as it bowed out of the UK holiday scene for good.
The beloved attraction first opened way back in 1918 to entertain returning American WW1 troops, taking its legendary name from the iconic pleasure beach in New York.
Now, the massive plot is being completely flattened to make way for a mega-money waterfront regeneration project backed by the Welsh Government.
This sweeping revamp will see the vintage arcades and dodgems replaced by up to 980 new homes, alongside a string of modern cafes and restaurants.
While gutted locals have mourned the loss of a true seaside legend, council chiefs insist the drastic facelift is the only way to secure the resort’s booming economic future.
However, devastated fans of traditional fairground magic won’t be left high and dry when the summerholidays roll around.
A new seasonal funfair is set to pitch up at the nearby Salt Lake site to ensure Porthcawl keeps its crown as a top tourist magnet.
Launching just in time for the Easter break, the brand-new family attraction will boast an epic big wheel, classic rides, and mouth-watering food stalls.
Run by the veteran showmen at Studt’s Events, the fully-stewarded site will even share its prime waterfront spot with the dazzling NoFit State circus this April.
It means that while the historic Coney Beach might be gone forever, the brilliant British tradition of seaside thrills is very much here to stay.
The amusement park had seen millions of visitors on its rides over the yearsCredit: GettyDemolition of Coney Beach amusement park began in JanuaryCredit: Google Maps
IT was in this very column that Delta Goodrem first revealed it was her dream to represent Australia at Eurovision.
Now, nine months later, she has been officially unveiled as the contest’s Aussie entry, with the Lost Without You singer firmly crediting Bizarre with making it happen.
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It was in this very column that Delta Goodrem first revealed it was her dream to represent Australia at EurovisionDelta has been officially unveiled as the contest’s Aussie entry, with the Lost Without You singer firmly crediting Bizarre with making it happenCredit: Supplied
Speaking to our Jack, Delta said: “This is, literally verbatim, all your fault. It is all on you — you and Bizarre started this.
“Your article went back to the Aussies who were like, ‘Do you want to do this?’ So thank you. I have a big job to do.”
Delta will head to Vienna this May to compete with her song Eclipse and it ticks every box, with an infectiously camp chorus and a complex piano bridge.
A beaming Delta explained: “From your article, people started reaching out.
“Then one of the songwriters, Jonas Myrin, who I wrote the song with, took a screengrab of the article and sent it to me saying, ‘Delta, if you ever go to Eurovision, I want to write the song with you’.
“He’s in Sweden. Sure enough he flew to Australia when I said I was doing it. Even the first question I got asked when doing my first Australian interview was, ‘We heard it all started from an article from the UK,’ and yes, it did.”
It’s been three years since Australia last qualified for the live final, which adds to the pressure on Delta, who has sold eight million records worldwide.
“Of course I am nervous, but it’s so joyous and I am so excited to be a part of it,” she said.
“I can’t control what will happen. All I know is that I am honoured to represent Aus.
“I will fly the flag and give my heart and soul.
“Two of my greatest idols, who are part of the reason I am in music, Olivia Newton-John and Celine Dion, did Eurovision.
“I am grateful to be able to step into that.
“What an honour it is to be able to perform anywhere, let alone on the biggest stage in the world. I am excited.”
We Brits can’t vote for our own act, Look Mum No Computer (aka Sam Battle), whose entry Eins Zwei Drei is out on Friday, so Delta is hoping the British jury will give her our 12 points.
Explaining how it all fell into place, she said: “I had always said, ‘Oh, you know, when the time is right’. I always have an open heart to new things and being a coach on The Voice I celebrate all types of music. Then it all came into focus.”
Sam Battle, whose entry Eins Zwei Drei is out on FridayCredit: BBC/PADelta said: ‘Two of my greatest idols, who are part of the reason I am in music, Olivia Newton-John and Celine Dion, did Eurovision’Credit: Getty
Speaking about what people should expect when she competes at the second semi-final on May 14, Delta explained: “The staging is important, but you will have to wait and see.
“There is a high bar out there but I am enjoying the creativity of it. I love the out-of-the-box moments, but I also love past winners Loreen, Alexander Rybak and Mans Zelmerlow.”
This year’s competition has already been rocked by controversy with Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain all pulling out due to Israel being allowed to take part in the contest, amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
But Delta is keen to use the platform to help bring people together and celebrate our common ground.
She said: “I am in music for unity and the healing spirit,” adding that she loves the sense of “togetherness” generated by music and song.
Delta added: “Eurovision has been going for 70 years and there is a reason everyone comes back, united in song.
“I am really looking forward to being united together. At my shows, that is what you want, too.
“My song is about one love and connection.”
You’ve got our votes, Delta.
DECEMBER 10 are playing a free O2 Presents . . . gig at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on April 8.
There will be 767 pairs of tickets available to O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers via a ballot, which will be open from March 9- 23 on the Priority app.
COMPASS TO GO THE COLE MILE
I TIPPED big things for Belfast pair Broken Compass after they released their debut single Storm in October.
Now the duo, Ben Dadidson and Allen Gordon have landed roles in Anything Goes at Belfast’s Grand Opera House.
Belfast pair Broken Compass Ben Dadidson and Allen GordonCredit: Supplied
Running from April 14-18, the show features songs from Cole Porter including I Get A Kick Out Of You.
While Allen has graced the stage at the venue before, it will be the first time for Ben, who previously toured with Westlife in boyband Most Wanted.
Ben told Bizarre: “This has been such a whirlwind, moving to Belfast and joining St Agnes Choral Society.
“Opening myself up to theatre as well as pop has been a dream come true.”
OASIS will feature on the new Help(2) War Child album with a standalone 7in single of Acquiesce, recorded live at Wembley last September, being included in the vinyl edition.
It will be a hidden track on the double CD version, and on streaming, when the charity record is out on Friday.
Arctic Monkeys, Olivia Rodrigo, Damon Albarn and Pulp will also feature.
RAYE SETS LIFE BOAT AFLOAT
RAYE will return to dance music on her upcoming album with a belting electro track called Life Boat.
The singer debuted the song at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday night and it features emotional lyrics against a euphoric chorus.
Raye will return to dance music on her upcoming album with a belting electro track called Life BoatCredit: Getty
In the verse, she sang: “Cry yourself an ocean, trying not to drown in it. Lord send me a lifeboat, something I can cling to.”
Then in the chorus she repeated: “I’m not giving up yet.”
Earlier in her career Raye had a string of dance hits including Bed, Prada, You Don’t Know Me and Secrets, so she knows a thing or two about releasing a banger.
And with her album, This Music May Contain Hope, out on March 27, there isn’t long to wait.
OH BUCKET! AL’S FOR HIGH JUMP
IF you thought it was funny watching Alan Carr take part in the challenges on Celebrity Traitors, his next show will see him jumping out of a plane.
He is shooting a travelogue called The F**k It List for Prime Video, which will see him and other comics taking on bucket list experiences, but it sounds like he’s drawn the short straw.
Alan Carr is shooting a travelogue called The F**k It List for Prime VideoCredit: Getty
Alan said: “I was sold this show about a bucket list. I thought I would be on the Orient Express and swimming with dolphins.”
Instead, he admitted on his Bottoms Up podcast: “I’m skydiving, bungee jumping and stroking a tarantula. I hate spiders.”
Thera’s so much promise
SHE’S the vocal powerhouse from Prague who, aged just 18, is already turning heads across Europe.
And as rising star Thera wraps up supporting Jason Derulo on his The Last Dance world tour, she opened up backstage about juggling school with breaking into the industry.
Thera opened up backstage about juggling school with breaking into the industry
The Czech singer, who first toured with Loreen, said: “I’ve gone through a lot that made me mature faster, which is why people are shocked I’m 18. “It doesn’t feel strange to me. Those experiences shaped who I am today and how I handle things and what I do.
“School has really helped me, even though it’s very stressful and chaotic at times.
“It’s almost forced me to be organised and have a system, which I feel has helped me in the music world.”
On tour it was the Les Twins, who also went on the road with Jason, who acted as her “big brothers”.
She added: “They’re role models, but also feel like family.”
Her biggest night yet was Prague’s O2 Arena on Sunday, where her whole family watched alongside 20,000 fans.
