Ryanair

Family left ‘in tears’ after being stranded at airport 150 miles from home

A FAMILY has been left distraught after they missed their flight – but it wasn’t their fault.

A father along with his family including his severely disabled teenage daughter has claimed that they were abandoned by budget airline Ryanair.

An aerial view of the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, with a runway in the foreground and mountains in the background.
The family was due to fly from Alicante to Bournemouth Credit: WERNER WILMES/Wikipedia

Daniel Laws, from Bournemouth commented that Ryanair told them to make their own way home after waiting in the wrong airport for hours, adding that the treatment from the airline’s staff was “abominable”.

When at Alicante Airport, the special assistance bus took the family to the wrong plane and resulted in them missing their flight back to Bournemouth.

According to the Bournemouth Echo, Daniel said: “I said to them this is the wrong plane, this is a TUI plane.”

However, by the time the family were back at the terminal, their plane had left without them.

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The family was then taken to the Ryanair help desk, where they were left “sitting on the floor for two hours”.

After waiting for a few hours, the family was then told they could be rebooked onto a flight that would head to Stansted Airport.

He added: “I responded would they also be able to help us get back to Bournemouth and they seemed to laugh at that and walk away from the window.”

After landing back in London, the family headed to the Ryanair desk at the airport to seek further assistance to travel back to Bournemouth.

After an hour of waiting passed, the staff hadn’t spoke to the family and when they eventually did, they told the family that “Ryanair believe it has nothing to do with them and we must organise our own way home”.

To make matters worse, the family hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

A row of Ryanair airplanes with their blue and yellow harp logo on the tails, parked at Stansted Airport.
The family flew back to Stansted Airport and then had to get the train to Bournemouth Credit: Getty

Daniel added: “We were abandoned in Stanstead and none of us had eaten.”

The family eventually travelled home via train, but have stated that they want a refund for the flights and all expenses incurred.

He added: “It was a life changing event for them [the children]….they were so worried about my eldest.”

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “Special assistance services at Alicante Airport (and all other airports) are provided by the airport but are paid for by Ryanair.

“We regret that Alicante Airport’s special assistance provider, Alyzia, failed to bring these passengers to the aircraft prior to this flight from Alicante to Bournemouth departing on 31 July.

“Following Alyzia’s error, Ryanair reaccommodated these passengers free of charge onto the next available flight from Alicante to Stansted, which departed later that the same day.

“We are working with Alicante Airport to ensure this does not recur.”



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easyJet and British Airways flight warning as Gatwick Airport ‘running out of fuel’

Brits have been warned of disruption at a major UK airport as airlines face the risk of ‘running out of fuel’ in coming days

Thousands of Brits heading on their summer holidays from a major UK airport could face disruption over the coming days due to a fuel shortage.

Gatwick Airport has sent out a jet fuel warning to pilots as the UK’s second-largest airport faces supply issues.

The potential shortage could affect easyJet and British Airways flights from the airport during the peak of the season, as well as other major carriers like Wizz Air, TUI, and Jet2.

The memo sent out by Gatwick warned airlines: “For the attention of all crews: Gatwick has a shortage of fuel for the next two days.

“Please uplift max possible fuel at outstations.”

Another document warned of a “potential disruption to the Gatwick fuel supply”.

An airline source told The Sun: “Pilots will try and take on as much fuel as they can from their foreign destinations to bring back to the UK, but they will be limited by factors such as the maximum take-off weight and the maximum landing weight back at Gatwick.”

The issue is likely to cause “disruption” from Monday, according to the source.

In the event of an airport fuel infrastructure crisis, major short-haul operators like easyJet can partially insulate themselves by carrying extra fuel from inbound European flights to bypass Gatwick’s pumps entirely.

But the airline’s sheer flight volume will still put the operation under strain.

Meanwhile, British Airways and other long-haul flight carriers, which cannot tanker fuel and remain entirely dependent on Gatwick’s local supply to get off the ground, are more culnerable

It is believed that the shortage is not connected to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, but rather to a technical issue at one of Gatwick’s fuel farms.

A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport said: “Following a technical issue impacting fuel supply to the airport, airlines have been advised to monitor fuel availability.

“We are working closely with external suppliers to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and minimise any potential disruption. All airlines are operating as normal.”

The Mirror has contacted easyJet and British Airways for further comment.

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How to beat Ryanair’s hand luggage rule with clever ‘Sudoku’ packing hack

TRAVELLERS heading abroad this summer can beat Ryanair’s hand luggage rule with this clever “Sudoku” packing hack.

The trick has gone viral online and whittles your wardrobe down to just the essentials.

A woman wearing glasses and a blue scarf with text overlay "5 Steps to Build a Packing Sudoku" and a grid filled with "TOP," "LAYER," and "BOTTOM" in a Sudoku-like pattern.
The Sudoku Packing hack has gone viral on social media Credit: @ thenatalieway1/TikTok
Nine folded pieces of clothing on a bed, labeled "top," "bottom," or "outerwear" with the text "Okay, let's play packing Sudoku."
Travellers need to pick just nine items to create 27 outfit combinations Credit: @thenatalieway.travel/Instagram

Anyone trying to scrimp on flights knows the frustration of added baggage fees.

While your Ryanair ticket may only cost £30, adding hold luggage can top up the bill with a £59.99 per flight.

Even a cabin bag can land you with a charge of up to £36.

So many of us try to save some cash by choosing to carry all our belongings in just one small bag, but sizing down your suitcase to this meagre amount can be tricky.

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A Ryanair flight offers a tiny 40 x 30 x 20cm bag for free, while easyJet offers a slightly larger 45 x 36 x 20cm size for hand luggage.

However, a handy travel hack might be the solution, and it’s known as “Sudoku Packing”.

The hack has blown up on TikTok and Instagram, promising to whittle your wardrobe down to just nine essential items needed for a short trip.

The trending technique first went viral earlier this year, when influencer Natalie Shaquer shared how the hack was transformative for her travels.

In her video, Natalie recommends “visualising your trip” before beginning the packing phase and taking a few moments to think through the types of outfits you’re going to need.

Then, all travellers need to do is pick three tops, three bottoms and three layering items that all harmoniously coordinate.

Layers can be anything from scarves to jackets to cardigans or jumpers, and should be picked according to the climate of the upcoming destination.

When laid out in a 3×3 grid, the Sudoku selection creates up to 27 different clothing combinations made up of a top, bottom and layer.

Natalie also recommends bringing three pairs of shoes to go with your coordinated clothing selection.

Packers are reminded that each pair of bottoms, whether trousers, a skirt or shorts, will need to work with at least two pairs of the shoes, otherwise they must go “back in the closet”.

With your clothing streamlined, you should still have plenty of space for toiletries and accessories in your bag, but this hack is likely only useful for those planning on being away for a few days.

However, travellers heading out on longer trips will likely need more than nine items of clothing, so then it may be worth forking out for hold luggage.

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Major European airport to close for three months in 2028

Charleroi Bruxelles Sud international airport with a Ryanair airplane parked at a gate.

A MAJOR European airport is set to close for months in 2028, impacting all flights.

Charleroi Airport in Brussels, Belgium, will close for 11 weeks as its runway is renovated and the airport is revamped.

Charleroi Bruxelles Sud international airport with a Ryanair airplane parked at a gate.
Charleroi Airport in Belgium is set to close for three months Credit: Getty

All flights will be impacted between August 15 and October 31 – which includes travellers heading away during both the school summer holidays and October half-term break.

Charleroi Airport is the second largest airport in Belgium.

It will undergo a number of updates during the closure, estimated to cost around €50million (£42.8million).

Airlines that operate to and from the airport include popular budget carriers, Ryanair and Wizz Air.

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For UK travellers, this will include flights from and to Newcastle and Manchester.

Airlines will need to temporarily reroute their flights to different airports.

Currently there is no further information of what this will look like although is likely to mean cancellations and diverted.

According to several reports, the airport stated: “A complete refurbishment of Charleroi airport’s sole runway, together with other major infrastructure modernisation works, has been scheduled by SOWAER (the company behind the works) for the second half of 2028.”

A Ryanair airplane on the tarmac at Charleroi Airport with ground crew.
Airlines that fly to and from the airport include Wizz Air and Ryanair Credit: EPA

Works include completely resurfacing the 3,200 metre runway.

The works are expected to impact two million travellers.

The Sun has contacted Charleroi Airport for comment.

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Ryanair launches sale with VERY cheap August flights for £14 to top holiday destinations

RYANAIR is known for budget-friendly flights – and they’re getting even cheaper in its flash sale.

From now until 23.59 tonight there are deals to be had on its 235 routes – some fares for travel in August are as little as £14.

One-way flights to Majorca from London Stansted are as little as £19.99
You can reach the pretty beaches of Pula for less than £20 Credit: Alamy

The cheap Ryanair flights can be booked on the website or app for this summer up until the end of October.

Some of the cheapest flights still available in August include routes from Bournemouth Airport to Edinburgh from £14.09.

Other bargain flights include ones from Edinburgh to Belfast which start from £13.79.

Over 100 routes are on sale from London Stansted including one-way flights in August to Copenhagen from £15.99.

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Also under £20 in August are flights to Fez, Carcassone, Pula, Limoges and Milan.

There are 22 routes on sale from London Luton – some of the cheapest include one-way flights to Alicante in August for as little as £19.99.

Other flights for £19.99 include routes to Majorca – the popular Balearic island with beautiful beaches.

From Manchester Airport there are 50 routes available with cheap flights through the summer into autumn.

The Ryanair flash sale is only available until Credit: BrasilNut1

In October, some of the cheapest flights are to Santander with one-way tickets from £15 – also you can head to Zagreb from £22 and Pisa from £18.

There are deals available from 22 airports including London Gatwick to Aberdeen, Teeside, Norwich and Leeds Bradford.

Ryanair’s Director of Comms, Jade Kirwan, said: “July Pay Day means one thing – it’s time to book your next summer getaway!”

“Whether you’re dreaming of a last-minute beach escape, a sun-soaked city break, or simply need a well-deserved getaway, Ryanair’s 24-hour July pay day flash sale has you covered with fares from as little as £19.99 for travel throughout August.

“Book before 23:59 tonight (Wed, 29 Jul) on the Ryanair App.”



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Brits warned to travel with hand luggage only as Spanish airport strike starts TODAY

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Passengers queuing for border control at Palma Airport

STRIKES at an airport in Spain have started today – with passengers being told to ditch cabin bags for hand luggage to avoid the chaos.

Walkouts from multiple unions will continue across the next couple of weeks affecting baggage handling and check-in.

Staff at Palma Airport are striking across the next two weeks Credit: Getty
The airport is one of the busiest in Spain during the summer Credit: AFP via Getty Images

Palma Airport on the island of Majorca is one of the busiest in Spain during the summer season – and lots of its workers are going on strike.

The first walkouts are by those working in technical maintenance, ground equipment and airport infrastructure roles.

These are being planned by three unions, which started yesterday and will continue until July 30.

Swissport – who handle check in and boarding – is also striking today, as well as on August 1, 4 and 8.

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On these days ground staff will walk out between 7am to 12pm, then again from 7pm to 10pm.

The airport has warned passengers that today could be particularly bad as the strikes coincide at the same time.

Airlines affected by the Swissport ground handlers’ dispute include TUI.

But others could be affected too, as a statement from the airport said that “its impact will stretch beyond Swissport-handled airlines”.

While flights are yet to be cancelled, according to Qsensor, the wait time at security in Palma Airport this morning has been 26 minutes longer than average.

Passengers going to the airport during this time have been asked not to arrive too early and even ditch check-in bags for hand luggage instead.

The airport has asked passengers to take precautions during the strikes Credit: Alamy

On its website, the airport issued advice to travellers who are heading through the terminal on strike days.

  • Check in online: Complete your check-in online before heading to the airport to minimise time spent in queues.
  • Travel light if possible: Travelling with hand luggage only allows you to bypass potential check-in and baggage carousel delays.
  • Monitor your airline’s app: Keep a close eye on text alerts or app notifications from your airline for real-time schedule updates.
  • Arrive on time (but not too early): Stick to the standard arrival window recommended by your carrier (usually two to three hours before departure). Arriving half a day early can worsen airport congestion.

On the strike, a TUI spokesperson said: “We are aware of planned industrial action affecting airline operators at Palma airport.

“At this stage, we do not anticipate any disruption to our customers. However, we are working closely with our local teams and airport partners to minimise any potential impact.

“As always, we will proactively update our guests if there are any changes to their itinerary. Customers should continue to check their flight details as usual before travelling.”

Meanwhile, Ryanair told Sun Travel that it will “operate as normal” with “no impact to operations”.

easyJet also said its flights will be operating as normal.



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Anyone flying with Ryanair this summer issued urgent warning — ‘we will not wait’

Passengers have been issued a stark message about being caught up in airport delays

Peak travel season is here, with many Brits jetting off on their summer holidays. Thousands of holidaymakers are flocking abroad over the next few weeks.

However, this year things are looking very different if you are travelling to Europe. The new EU Entry/Exit System (ESS) was fully implemented in April, resulting in significant travel disruptions that are still continuing at many airports.

Brits have found themselves in queues lasting hours as they try to pass through the digital border system. It has even seen some travellers missing their flights, leaving their holidays in tatters.

The system is used at airport arrivals and departures in the EU and the Schengen area. Travellers have been urged to get to airports even earlier than usual so they aren’t caught up in queues, especially when returning to the UK.

Now, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has issued a stark message to anyone flying on his airline this summer. He has admitted the airline will not wait for anyone stuck in queues, and that the flight will carry on as scheduled.

While on the Telegraph’s Travel Expert podcast, host Simon Calder asked: “If I were a passenger, say at Milan Bergamo Airport, and was stuck in a mile-long queue, how long are you going to be waiting for me? And if you can’t wait for me, what are you going to do?”

Mr O’Leary replied: “Nothing. We will not wait for anybody. If you are stuck, if you are not at the boarding gate when we finish boarding, the plane is going without you.

“We are not delaying our flights for people who are stuck in passport control queues. They have to show up at the airport earlier, but they have to be at the boarding gate; otherwise, they are not flying.”

Travel expert Simon previously branded the entry and exit system a “Euro shambles”. He named Milan Malpensa, Lisbon, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt and Copenhagen as the airports with the “worst” delays.

Simon previously said on the podcast: “From what I have experienced, and certainly one of them is Milan Malpensa. The fingerprint stuff took an hour, and I was the first one off the EasyJet plane from Gatwick.

“Then, I went through the other terminal to check out and it took 45 minutes that time but they wanted those fingerprints again, which is absolutely not in the rules.”

He added: “I have heard terrible stories from Lisbon, other places frequently mentioned, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt.

“Both of them are huge hubs where you have got a lot of people flying from various regional airports across the UK into Paris and Frankfurt to connect.

“That’s okay if you are going intercontinental but if you are trying to connect to somewhere in Europe it is awful.”

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Travel warning for popular Spanish island as major strikes to hit main airport

BRITS heading to Spain in the next few weeks have been warned of upcoming strikes which could cause travel chaos.

Staff at Palma Airport are preparing strike action across the next two weeks.

Staff at Palma Airport are staging multiple walkouts this week Credit: Alamy
The airport has warned of potential delays for passengers Credit: Getty

There are multiple walkouts being held by different unions at the airport which start from today.

The first strikes are by those working in technical maintenance, ground equipment and airport infrastructure roles which will stage 24-hour walkouts.

These are being planned by three unions which start today until July 30.

Swissport, which is a leading company for airport ground services and air cargo handling, has also planned strike action starting on July 28 as well as August 1, 4 and 8.

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On these days ground staff will walk out between 7am to 12pm, then again from 7pm to 10pm.

The airport has warned there to be major disruption tomorrow when a key pinch point is on Tuesday when both sets of workers will walk out at the same time.

Airlines affected by the Swissport ground handlers’ dispute include TUI.

But others could be affected too, as a statement from the airport said that “its impact will stretch beyond Swissport-handled airlines”.

Popular airlines taking Brits to the island include Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.

The airport said: “Large-scale airport strikes can occasionally create a minor knock-on effect. If Swissport-served flights experience delays at the gates, it can sometimes lead to localised congestion on the tarmac or minor delays at security control.”

The airport has said that it’s unlikely there will be ‘widespread cancellations’ Credit: Boarding1Now
Collage of travel items including a plane, sunscreen, passport, suitcase, and plane tickets, advertising The Sun's travel Instagram account.

It continued: “That said, any disruption for non-Swissport passengers is expected to be minimal.”

The airport did then add that the impact for passengers is likely to be “longer waiting times” and delays due to “operational bottlenecks.”

But added that “widespread cancellations are unlikely”.

Delays are likely to be at check-in and bag drop locations before departure, as well as passengers boarding during the morning and evening.

On the strike, a TUI spokesperson said: “We are aware of planned industrial action affecting airline operators at Palma airport.

“At this stage, we do not anticipate any disruption to our customers. However, we are working closely with our local teams and airport partners to minimise any potential impact.

“As always, we will proactively update our guests if there are any changes to their itinerary. Customers should continue to check their flight details as usual before travelling.”

Meanwhile, Ryanair told Sun Travel that it will “operate as normal” with “no impact to operations”.

easyJet also said its flights will be operating as normal.

Palma Airport is one of Spain’s busiest during the summer season.

According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the Majorca Hoteliers Federation has said that 2.2million Brits travelled to Majorca last year and this summer it will be even more.

With Entry/Exit System (EES) being implemented, it’s possible there could be longer queues due to registration for Brits too.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.



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Jet2, Ryanair and TUI passengers warned ‘never to pack’ 5 items into checked luggage

There are some items that are best kept in your hand luggage for safe keeping, so make sure these items don’t end up in your big suitcase when you go away for your summer holidays this year

No matter how many times you go on holiday, packing is always an awkward task, as you need to balance the lack of space with the essentials.

And if you have checked luggage in addition to a cabin bag, you may be tempted to throw most of the things you own into your hold baggage. This means you have less stuff to carry around the airport and onto the plane with you.

But there are some things you should never put in checked luggage, and it’s not just the obvious stuff like weapons and flammable items. Here are five items to never send to the hold.

1. Prescription medication

Overall, less than 1% of hold luggage goes missing, and usually it’s simply misdirected, so it will eventually make its way to you. But while you try to retrieve your bag, it’s a good idea to have supplies of essential items.

Prescription medication is better taken as hand luggage, as it’s much less likely to go missing. If there’s a delay with your hold bag getting back to you, you won’t need to worry about missing vital doses of your meds.

If you do lose your medication when travelling, visit a local pharmacy for advice, as they may be able to arrange an emergency supply.

2. Batteries and electronics

Because of the risk of items such as power banks catching fire, items with lithium batteries, such as power banks and vapes, can’t be placed in hold luggage and must be taken onboard with you.

Some airlines have limits on how many Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) can be taken onboard, with Jet2 and Ryanair restricting the number to 15 per passenger. Ryanair also has a limit of 20 lithium batteries or power banks, each up to 100Wh, in hand baggage.

3. Valuable items

If you have jewellery, cash or other expensive items, you may be nervous about carrying them around in your backpack at the airport. However, it’s not a good idea to leave valuables in your checked-in bags.

There’s a risk of damage to items in transit, and while it’s rare, theft from bags does happen by airport staff. While travel insurance does cover lost baggage, it usually has a limit and policies have an excess to pay, meaning you may not be able to claim enough to cover valuable items.

4. Swimwear

When you’re on the way to a sunny beach holiday, you may want to pack swimwear in your hand luggage rather than your big suitcase. This means that if there is a delay in getting your bag to you, you can at least spend some time on the beach or by the pool while you wait for your bag to arrive.

It also means that if you can’t check into your room straight away when you arrive, you can just change into your swimwear and enjoy some sunshine while you wait for your room to be ready.

5. Phone charger and adapter

Once you arrive at your destination, your phone battery is going to be as low as your energy levels, and you won’t want to be scrambling through your suitcase to find your charger.

Ensure you’ve got your phone charger and adapter for the country you’re visiting in your hand luggage so you can get plugged in as soon as you arrive.

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

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Everything you need to know about Ryanair’s £79.99 hand luggage charge update

Need to know

Ryanair is targeting passengers who use large rucksacks or wheelie bags that exceed their free under-seat allowance. If you do not purchase ‘Priority Boarding’, your bag must fit under the seat in front of you (max 40x 30 x 20 cm)

The £79.99 hand luggage charge is a new baggage enforcement crackdown by Ryanair (Image: Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

All you need to know about Ryanair’s £79.99 hand luggage charge update

  1. The £79.99 hand luggage charge, which has been causing a stir online, is a new baggage enforcement crackdown by Ryanair directly colliding with landmark new EU flight rules that aim to ban carry-on fees entirely.
  2. Ryanair is targeting passengers who use large rucksacks or wheelie bags that exceed their free under-seat allowance. If you do not purchase ‘Priority Boarding’, your bag must fit under the seat in front of you (max 40 x 30 x20 cm). If it does not fit in the sizing gate, you will face an airport gate bag fee.
  3. While standard pre-booked cabin bags cost between £6 and £36, being caught at the gate triggers a post-booking penalty that can reach up to £75 to £80.99 to put the bag in the aircraft hold.
  4. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has doubled down on checking oversized bags. Ground handling crew bonuses for finding non-compliant bags are increasing, and the monthly bonus cap has been entirely removed to catch passengers “scamming the system”.
  5. This enforcement push comes right as the European Parliament passed an air passenger rights update. New EU legislation will make it mandatory to include one overhead cabin bag and one personal item in the basic advertised airfare, eliminating hidden luggage fees. Airlines, search portals, and travel agents must display the full ticket price inclusive of hand luggage from the very beginning of the booking process.
  6. O’Leary has furiously criticised the European Union‘s move. O’Leary claims the EU has “miss-sold” the regulations and that bundling overhead bags will make European airlines look less competitive globally. Ryanair warns that banning separate cabin bag fees will simply force base ticket prices up across the board, making travel more expensive for people who prefer to fly light.
  7. The current cabin bag rules and gate fees remain fully in force. The new EU rules are a confirmed proposal expected to transition into law next year. Until the official transition period concludes, you will still be charged at the gate if your luggage exceeds the strict sizer dimensions.

READ MORE: Ryanair CEO says airports shouldn’t serve booze until 12pm to stop ‘misbehaviour’

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I got caught out by major new plane rule – easyJet, BA and Emirates customers have to know

Anyone who’s jetting off this summer will want to know about a fairly new safety rule that you must follow when you’re on board.

Going on holiday is always an exciting time, but there’s a lot of reasons that they can be stressful too. For many people, the flight itself is a source of anxiety, while others aren’t keen on the packing, the security process or the bag regulations.

I love a trip abroad, and although I can sometimes get nervous during takeoff and landing – as I’m sure many people do – I try to push it aside because I know there’s a holiday waiting for me at the other end.

If I can afford it, I’ll go on two or three holidays a year, so I like to think I’m pretty savvy when it comes to knowing what to pack, how big your bag can be, and just having a general know-how about the process. But on my most recent holiday, I was shocked to hear a safety announcement onboard that I’d literally never heard before, and it really threw a spanner in the works.

Picture the scene – it’s 5.30am, I’ve had three hours of sleep, two coffees down in Manchester Airport and I’m about to board my flight to Bilbao. Because I’ve desperately been trying to keep myself awake, I’ve been scrolling endlessly, so by the time I’m sat in my seat, my phone battery is looking a little unhealthy.

Luckily I’ve got a portable charger in my bag, ready to give my phone a much-needed boost. It’s been a rule for a while now that you can’t pack these in your checked luggage due to the potential danger from lithium ion batteries, but it’s always handier to have them in your hand luggage anyway.

But as the safety announcements kicked off, I was very surprised to hear that on this easyJet flight, you couldn’t use portable chargers at all.

Why can’t you use portable chargers on flights?

This was the first I’d heard of power banks being completely banned from use onboard flights. However, it’s clear to see in the ‘dangerous goods’ section of the easyJet website, which says they can’t be used to charge other devices.

They also must be ‘individually protected’ like placed in original retail packaging or a plastic bag, and customers are only allowed a maximum of two each.

Explaining why the rules are so strict, Jonathan Nicholson from the Civil Aviation Authority told BBC News that compared to the likes of digital cameras and laptops, “power banks have a much bigger battery, much stronger and get a lot hotter”.

“These things, when they catch fire, they go – they really go – they are big, big issues and big fires,” he added.

This makes total sense, and it obviously explains why most airlines have banned portable chargers in hold luggage – it was only a matter of time before they were banned from being used on planes too.

It’s worth noting that they are not outright prohibited – you just can’t use them, on easyJet flights anyway. So it’s definitely worth making sure you’re fully charged before you board, and don’t make the same mistake I did.

Which airlines have banned power banks?

As well as easyJet, several other airlines have started to enforce strict rules surrounding power banks. British Airways recently tightened its regulations – they must display the capacity rating information, they can’t exceed exceed 100Wh and they must be stored either in the seat pocket or in a bag placed under the seat in front.

Emirates has outright banned the use of power banks on all flights, nor can you plug the power bank into the seat’s power supply to charge it.

Most other airlines, such as Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI, do allow you to use them on board – just not during taxi, takeoff and landing, and restrictions can apply on the wattage. And you’re definitely not allowed to pack them in your hold luggage under any circumstances.

It’s recommended to check with the airline you’re flying with if you’re not sure, but always better safe than sorry.

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How early you should arrive for your flight this summer after Ryanair boss warns planes WON’T wait for passengers

RYANAIR boss has warned Brits not to be late for their flight as planes will takeoff without them.

The news comes after reports of hour-long delays at border control as a result of the introduction of the EU’s new Entry/Exit system (EES).

Ryanair’s CEO has warned planes will take off without passengers if they are late Credit: EPA
EES has resulted in lengthy queues and some passengers have even missed their flight Credit: Alamy

Talking on The Telegraph’s podcast, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said: “We will not wait for anybody.

“Our priority is to those passengers who are at the boarding gate when boarding starts. If you’re not at the boarding gate when we finish boarding, the plane is going without you.”

He further added that it is the responsibility of the traveller to leave enough time to get themselves through the airport on time.

It comes after reports of up to six-hour long queues at passport control and in some cases, passengers have missed flights as a result.

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At the beginning of June, 150 Ryanair passengers missed their flight from Toulouse to the UK due to the queues.

In another case, British passengers who were still in the airport queuing through passport control missed their Ryanair flight from Athens to London Luton.

One passenger told the BBC at the time that there had been a “mega queue” at Athens International Airport where hundreds of people were waiting at both security and passport control.

The plane took off without around 50 of its passengers.

In one case Ryanair was forced to leave 150 passengers behind Credit: BrasilNut1
Collage of travel items including a plane, sunscreen, passport, suitcase, and plane tickets, advertising The Sun's travel Instagram account.

However, Michael O’Leary said that planes cannot wait for anyone caught up in the chaos.

He added: “We’re not delaying our flights for people who are stuck in passport control queues.

“They have to show up at the airport earlier [and] be at the boarding gate, otherwise they’re not flying.”

Ryanair had previously called for EES to be delayed until September to save the summer holidays – but it has continued to go ahead.

With EES still in place, airlines are advising Brits to leave arrive three to four hours early for your flight to Europe this summer.



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TUI, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 rules on how early to arrive at the airport

As Brits set out to fly abroad this summer, they may need to know when is best to arrive at the airport – some may have been going too early or even way late this whole time

When to arrive at the airport? It’s a question as old as time itself.

As airports are set to experience heavy amounts of visitors during the school holidays and summer months, travellers are keen to prepare more than ever for any potential delays or ways to make their journey as smooth as possible.

Whichever airline you’re flying with this year, you may find that what they expect of their passengers is very different. The exact arrival time, bag drop-off times and gate closures can vary from airline to airline, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

It’s always wise to give yourself enough time to allow for security checks and face any check-in or passport queues. Often, bigger airports can have bigger queues, and so this is worth bearing in mind ahead of your flying schedules.

TUI

According to TUI, passengers should arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before departure for short and mid-haul flights. For long-haul flights, give yourself more time and arrive within 3.5 hours before.

Passengers have the chance to review their specific itinerary when they press ‘Manage My Booking’ on the TUI website, confirming the ideal departure terminal and times.

Easyjet

For easyJet flights, it is suggested that you turn up at the airport at a minimum of two hours before your flight is due to take off. This aligns with the airlines’ bag drop-off desks, which typically open two hours before the flight and close around 40 mins to an hour prior to departure.

As for boarding times, boarding typically starts 40 minutes before departure and closes strictly 30 minutes before the scheduled time.

Ryanair

Ryanair’s Help Centre offers information on specific terminal time recommendations, but overall, the airline operates on a strict two-hour arrival time recommendation. This aligns with the time that the bag drop-off and check-in desks open for passengers, two hours prior to departure time.

Although many Reddit notes advise that passengers should allow longer when flying out of busier airports such as London Stansted or during the peak holiday months.

The boarding gate must be reached at least 30 minutes before the flight leaves, as gates typically close 20 minutes beforehand, and therefore, two hours should allow for enough time for this.

Jet2

Jet2 recommends, according to their website, arriving at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time. The airline’s check-in desks close 40 minutes before this time.

It’s worth noting that if you’re flying with Jet2 and are travelling with hand luggage only, as long as you already have a boarding pass, you can arrive as late as 90 to 120 minutes before your flight’s departure.

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Ryanair to axe two million seats to European country by early 2027

The budget airline has confirmed it’ll be cutting the number of aircraft from one of its city bases by five, and its schedule will have two million fewer seats to a popular city break destination as of winter 2026

Ryanair has slashed the number of seats from its schedule for a city break destination that’s famous for its Christmas market and historic sites, as well as being a major business hub.

The decision was made in response to the country’s decision to raise aviation taxes, with Ryanair releasing a strongly-worded statement to announce they would be cutting two million seats from two of the capital’s airports.

The Federal Government of Belgium announced plans to raise the country’s aviation tax from €5 (about £4.20) to €7 (about £6) as of January 2027. This was erroneously described by Ryanair in a statement as a “250% increase since 2025.”

As a result, the budget carrier plans to cut five aircraft from its base at Brussels South Charleroi Airport, and reduce capacity by two million seats overall from Belgium’s Charleroi and Zaventem airports. The reductions will be applied to the winter 2026 and summer 2027 schedule.

Brussels is not the first destination to see a cut in the number of Ryanair seats this year. Earlier this year it announced reductions in services to Spain and Portugal, with smaller regional airports the most affected.

Valladolid and Jerez saw cuts to their services, while scrapped routes included Asturias and Vigo. A service to Tenerife North was also scrapped as a result of a dispute over airport fee hikes, leaving the airport with no alternative direct UK routes. Ryanair also closed its two aircraft base at Santiago de Compostela which reduced capacity.

As a result over one million seats were taken from the winter 2025 routes, and 1.2 million cut from the summer 2026 schedule. Another cut was to a Portugal service, with Ryanair cutting six routes to and from the Azores, an emerging tourist destination. It was estimated the cuts affected around 400,000 passengers.

At the time, Ryanair blamed this cutback on growing airport charges set by Portuguese authorities and environmental taxes linked to the EU Emissions Trading System. John Paul II Ponta Delgada Airport, the islands’ main airport, now only has a single seasonal UK route from London Heathrow operated by British Airways.

Speaking about the cuts in Belgium, Ryanair CEO, Eddie Wilson, said in a statement: “It’s absurd that the Federal Govt have decided to increase Belgium’s aviation tax by 250% from Jan ’27, especially when competing EU countries, like Sweden, Hungary, Slovakia, regional Italy, and Albania are abolishing aviation taxes to grow traffic, tourism and jobs.

“We warned Prime Minister De Wever that increasing Belgium’s aviation tax would result in traffic cuts, but he failed to listen. As a result, Ryanair will now remove 5 aircraft from our Charleroi base and 2m seats from our Brussels schedules (Charleroi and Zaventem) for Winter ’26/Summer ’27 and relocate to more competitive economies.”

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Ryanair to axe two million seats to European country affecting thousands of flights

RYANAIR is set to cancel hundreds of flights to and from a popular European country.

Two million seats will be axed from the winter season in Belgium and next summer due to rising air passenger tax.

Two Ryanair airplanes on the tarmac, with one in the foreground partially obscuring the other.
Ryanair will axe millions of seats from Belgium Credit: EPA
View of the gates and airplane parking at Charleroi Bruxelles Sud international airport in Belgium.
The airline will remove five aircraft from its base at Charleroi Airport Credit: Getty

The airline said today that it would be removing five aircraft from its base at Charleroi, according to local media.

Cuts will affect services at Charleroi and Brussels Airport in Zaventem starting later this year.

Ryanair said the axing of routes is a decision made as part of the Federal Government’s plan to increase the departure tax on air tickets.

Just a few days ago, the Belgian government announced it would raise the amount from €5 (£4.26) to €7 (£5.97) from January 1, 2027.

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Despite this being lower than expected, Ryanair said it is still too high.

When the tax increase was announced at the beginning of the year, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary slammed the plans, calling them “silly” and “damaging”.

He added: “Over the last 20 years, Ryanair has grown to be Belgium’s largest airline.

“This growth can easily be lost to tax abolishing countries like Sweden Hungary, Slovakia and Italy, and if Charleroi and Belgium don’t reverse these taxes.”

Ryanair currently carries 11.6million passengers to and from Belgium, making it the largest airline operating in the country.

It’s not yet clear whether the routes axed will be from the UK.

Current flights routes to Charleroi include from Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

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Budget flights to be cheaper this summer

An image collage containing 4 images, Image 1 shows A large hotel overlooking a beach crowded with people and umbrellas, with a view of the clear blue sea, Image 2 shows Swimming pool with a child in a red float and palm trees, Image 3 shows A bright bedroom with a bed, a mirror, and woven wall decor, Image 4 shows A bright blue swimming pool with rows of gray lounge chairs on a wooden deck and grass, with a white building and green trees in the background under a clear sky

BUDGET flights are set to be cheaper this summer, which means you could go on your dream break for less.

Ryanair recently announced that its profits have fallen dramatically as a result of the war in the Middle East forcing jet fuel prices to rise.

There are a number of last minute getaways to Greece and Spain that you can get for less than £300 per person Credit: On the Beach
Collage of travel items including a plane, sunscreen, passport, suitcase, and plane tickets, advertising The Sun's travel Instagram account.

However, the airline has also said that it expects summer prices to be slightly lower than last year.

With that in mind, there are some bargain breaks you can still get for this summer – so here are our best picks for Greece and Spain:

Andalucia, Spain

You could head to Andalusia for less than £160pp, for example Credit: loveholidays

For a Spanish break, you could head to Líbere Córdoba Tendillas in Andalusia.

The four-star hotel sits in the centre of Cordoba, making it the ideal spot to explore the city.

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The hotel features 22 air-conditioned apartments, with kitchenettes and smart TVs.

Near the hotel, you can head to Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba or even a Roman Temple just two minutes away.

You’d fly from Bournemouth Airport on July 31 and land at Malaga, and then return on August 5, costing £159 per person.

Rhodes, Greece

Or if you’d prefer to head to Greece, you could stay on Rhodes for less than £230pp Credit: loveholidays

On Rhodes, you could stay at the Kassandra Family Aparthotel & Spa. All rooms at the aparthotel have their own balcony, as well as a kitchenette and dining area.

As for things to do on site, there aren’t one but two outdoor pools, with loungers and there is even a smaller pool for little ones.

Parents needing some R&R can head to the spa too, where they will find a sauna, steam room and hot tub.

There’s also Greek-themed evenings for the family with karaoke and the beach is less than a 10 minute walk away.

You’d fly from Edinburgh Airport to Rhodes on August 10 and return to Glasgow Airport on August 15, for £229 per person.

Madrid, Spain

For a city break, head to Ramada by Wyndham Madrid Tres Cantos in Madrid Credit: loveholidays

Ramada by Wyndham Madrid Tres Cantos is a great spot for those wanting to explore the Spanish capital, while staying out of the hustle and bustle.

The centre of Madrid is a 22-minute drive away, so it’s not too far.

But at the accommodation you can enjoy air-conditioned rooms, an on-site restaurant with a continental breakfast each morning and even a coffee shop.

For families seeking some fun, there are a number of sports facilities including tennis, volleyball and mini golf.

You’d fly from London Luton Airport on July 31 and land at Madrid, and then return on August 5, costing £219 per person.

Crete, Greece

For another Greek island, you could visit Valentina Apartments on Crete Credit: loveholidays

If you fancy a Greek island, you could head to Valentina Apartments on Crete, which are surrounded by olive groves. Each room has its own kitchenette as well as balcony or terrace.

You can head to the swimming pool area, where you will also find loungers and a poolside bar.

The hotel also boasts a restaurant and weekly barbeque nights.

And if you fancy a beach day, it takes just 10 minutes to walk there – the same amount of time it takes to walk to the town centre where you’ll find restaurants and bars.

You’d fly from Liverpool Airport to Heraklion on July 31 and return to Manchester Airport on August 5, for £299 per person.

Majorca, Spain

Popular holiday spot Majorca even has some offers still available Credit: On the Beach

For a trip to Majorca, you could stay at Playa Moreia, which overlooks the sea.

The hotel boasts a large pool, as well as a playground and onsite entertainment.

Rooms have a separate living room area, and most have a balcony as well.

You’d fly from Bournemouth Airport to Palma on July 30 and return on August 4, for £240 per person.

Corfu, Greece

Or in Corfu, you could stay at an aparthotel right by the beach Credit: loveholidays

For another Greek break, you could head to the Oasis Beach Club aparthotel in Corfu. The beach is just a short walk away, ideal for soaking up the sunshine.

As for the accommodation itself, there are 32 rooms as well as an outdoor freshwater pool for a dip and then a poolside bar and even BBQ facilities for when you want a bite and a tipple.

Then for families looking for an activity, there are also table tennis tables and darts at the hotel.

The centre of Kavos is a few minutes away as well, where you’ll find more restaurants, bars and cafes.

You’d fly from Manchester Airport to Corfu on July 31 and return on August 5, for £289 per person.

Tenerife, Spain

Tenerife also still has availability with one spot less than 500 metres from the beach Credit: On the Beach

Or perhaps you want to go to Tenerife? Well, then you could book into Parque Carolina.

The apartment complex boasts its own pool and the beach is less than 500 metres away.

In the surrounding area, you can also head to a waterpark.

You’d fly from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to Tenerife South on August 26 and return on September 2, for £170 per person.



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TUI adds major new alcohol policy from November 1

Economy passengers will continue to receive a complimentary beer or wine served with their main meal, but will now be required to pay if they want additional alcoholic beverages

A carrier has changed its rules concerning alcohol on board flights, leaving passengers with mixed responses.

TUI Airlines offers economy passengers up to three free alcoholic drinks on long-haul flights, but passengers will now have to pay for drinks from November 1.

Customers will continue to receive complimentary soft drinks throughout their flight as well as a complimentary beer or wine served with their main meal. However, they will now be required to pay for additional alcoholic beverages onboard.

Adults with existing bookings affected by the change will receive a £12.50 refund per flight, each way.

Passengers in the premium cabin will not be affected.

Passengers took to social media to respond to the change.

One Tiktok user said: “Good, I am glad. I sat on a 10-hour flight to Mexico last year, a wedding group of about 20 adults where absolutely pissed before even getting on.

“TUI still served them for about 7 hours. I was fuming; it was like a flight to Ibiza with 18-year-olds.”

Another user said: “All alcohol should be banned from airports and aeroplanes, it causes too much trouble.”

Others were angered by the change, with one Tiktok user saying: “TUI are dead to me.”

Another said: “It shouldn’t have to be a blanket ban for everyone. People just need to have more control. Many just enjoy one or two drinks, and I don’t see an issue with that.”

“Sadly, some people ruin it for everyone else.”

Earlier this year, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary told The Times that airports should be banned from serving alcohol to passengers prior early flights to reduce disruption.

A Ryanair spokesperson subsequently told Metro: “The problem is not drinking on board one-hour flights; the excessive drinking occurs in airport terminals where no limits are placed on alcohol consumption, especially during flight delays.

“Ryanair have several processes in place to manage disruptive passengers onboard, including crew’s discretion to limit the number of drinks permitted to be purchased inflight.”

Ryanair introduced a €500 fine for disruptive passengers in June 2025.

Intoxication is a regular cause of trouble on aircrafts. Civil Aviation Authority statistics for 2019 showed that there were 390 occasions when airlines reported “difficulty in controlling intoxicated, violent or unruly passengers”.

By 2023, the number had risen to 1,245 incidents, and in 2024 it remained over 1,000.

Being drunk on a plane is a criminal offence and can be punished by a fine of up to £5,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

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Teacher hops on £27 flight to France for lunch — because it’s ‘cheaper than a UK day out’

Claire Howard, 48, flew from Birmingham to Beauvais, northern France, for a day of food, sightseeing and sunshine — she was back in the UK by midnight and said the whole trip cost just £70

A teacher hopped on a plane to France for lunch and claims it was more affordable than a standard day out in the UK.

Claire Howard jetted off to Beauvais, France, for a leisurely day of dining, exploring and sunshine and was back home before midnight. The 48-year-old woman found return Ryanair flights for merely £27 and secured them a month beforehand.

The early morning flight departed Birmingham at approximately 7.30am, with the homebound journey leaving at 11pm. Her husband gave her a lift to the airport, and she caught a £1.80 bus to Beauvais that took 15 minutes. Claire, who is a mum, believes the entire trip, including flights, buses, food, and drink, came to roughly £70.

Claire, from Birmingham, said: “I’ve been to Paris a few times and didn’t want to travel in from Beauvais as Paris is really pricey and busy.

“I just wanted to see what was actually in Beauvais itself for a relaxing day of wandering, eating, and drinking. I just saw on Skyscanner that return flights were only £27, so I went for it.

“It’s exciting to go to a different country just for lunch or to explore for a day. The bus from the airport to the centre is very cheap. It’s just a different feeling abroad.

“It makes it feel much more like an adventure than just going somewhere at home. I don’t want to pay £50 to go to the cinema and lunch here in a shopping centre when I can go and experience so much more abroad for a very reasonable price.”

The English teacher spent her morning exploring the city’s weekly Saturday market, treating herself to a coffee and a pain au chocolat for just £4. She then unwound with a drink in the town square, soaking up live music before hopping in a £10 Uber to Plan d’Eau du Canada, a beloved lakeside destination.

For lunch, she put together an £8 French-style picnic featuring a supermarket baguette, cheese, and a small bottle of wine, which she enjoyed while reading and sunbathing beside the water. Her packed itinerary also took in Beauvais Cathedral and the neighbouring Musée de l’Oise, both of which were completely free to enter.

The day wrapped up with a Pad Thai supper at a nearby Thai restaurant for roughly £10, before she made her way back to the airport for her evening flight home. She also picked up an £8 bracelet as a memento of her trip.

Claire said: “I’d say it could probably be done even cheaper. I do stay over in some places depending on flight times but it wasn’t necessary for this trip as the flight times fit and I could still have an evening meal and a full day.

“There’s no point in staying over to get a flight home the next morning as it’s a waste of accommodation money.” Claire admits she’s become completely addicted to budget day trips overseas after stumbling across bargain flights from Birmingham Airport, jetting off to a new destination almost every month.

Just this year alone, she’s already ticked off Bergamo in Italy, Malaga in Spain, Valetta in Malta, Poznan in Poland, and Porto in Portugal. She’s already snapped up return flights to Poland and Berlin in August for just £70.

Claire said: “I’m just led by what is possible and affordable. I can’t take time off at all in term time but I have Tuesdays off so I do like to make use of them.

“I just love the way you can do and see so much in the same time that you might waste a day at home just watching Netflix and doomscrolling. I usually find the best prices four to six weeks in advance. My husband doesn’t like short trips so he’s not jealous.”

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Ryanair warns of huge queues at 16 airports across Europe this summer

Ryanair has released a statement claiming that 16 airports in Europe will create “long queues for UK families” as the school summer holidays loom and airports face their busiest time of year

Ryanair has released a strongly-worded statement claiming that “UK families face hours of extra queues as EU EES chaos continues”, naming 16 airports where “passengers are experiencing significant delays”.

The budget airline called for an emergency extension and flexibility in implementing the Entry/Exit System (EES), warning that without action families heading off on their summer holidays would face long waits. These delays would affect passengers no matter what airline they flew with.

Its statement read: “Ryanair today [July 15] warned millions of UK families travelling to Europe this summer to prepare for lengthy passport queues and airport delays caused by the EU’s failed Entry/Exit System (EES), which continues to create disruption months after its introduction.

“With schools now breaking for summer and passenger volumes reaching peak levels, the failed EES rollout is going to cause unnecessary delays and long queues for UK families.”

It claimed: “Ryanair has identified a number of recurring EES hotspots where passengers are experiencing significant delays due to slow processing times and excessive passport control queues on both arrivals and departures.”

The statement went on to name airports including both beach and city break destinations. This included family-friendly holiday hotspots such as Lanzarote, Tenerife South, Alicante, and Malaga, alongside destinations including Milan and Verona.

Ryanair went on to claim these airports suffered from similar issues, saying: “Months after EES went live, many airports still do not have fully functioning self-service kiosks in place, while border staffing levels and infrastructure remain inadequate to process peak passenger volumes. The result is avoidable delays, longer queues and unnecessary stress for UK passengers travelling during the busiest holiday period of the year.”

The airline gave advice to families heading off on their holidays soon, continuing: “Ryanair is advising UK passengers travelling to and from non-Schengen destinations, or transiting through affected European airports, to allow extra time for their journey and be prepared for extended waits at passport control, where EES checks may require passport scanning, fingerprint capture and facial image verification.”

Neal McMahon, Ryanair’s chief operations officer, said in a statement: “Families heading away for a well-earned summer holiday should be thinking about suitcases, suncream and sangria, not standing in passport queues for hours. The reality is that the EES system isn’t working properly and families are paying the price for a system that does not work months after launch. Passengers should not be the testing ground for unfished border infrastructure.

“We support calls from EU Member States to urgently extend the EES flexibilities. This will give airports and border authorities the time to improve the infrastructure, fix the broken devices and hire more staff so that families can travel through Europe without disruption.”

Full list of airports Ryanair named for ‘significant delays’

  1. Lisbon
  2. Tenerife South
  3. Madrid
  4. Lanzarote
  5. Alicante
  6. Malaga
  7. Milan Bergamo
  8. Milan Malpensa
  9. Verona
  10. Paris Beauvais
  11. Berlin
  12. Cologne
  13. Frankfurt Hahn
  14. Krakow
  15. Budapest

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Full list of 16 airports where Ryanair is warning millions of extra-long queues this summer

RYANAIR has warned that holidaymakers flying to airports in 16 popular destinations should expect lengthy queues.

New entry rules have caused difficulty for passengers, with some missing flights and waiting hours in passport queues.

And the UK Government are urging France to “prioritise flow” Credit: AFP
Now, a Greek airports boss is warning that the system could collapse Credit: Getty

Millions of Brits heading on holiday this summer should expect huge queues in some of Europe‘s most popular airports.

Since the introduction of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) in April, passengers have had to wait hours in passport queues, struggle with broken machines, and even miss flights.

Months later, no self-service kiosks have been installed, meaning border staff have hit capacity and are unable to process high numbers of passengers.

EES is an automated IT system for registering non-EU holidaymakers travelling for a short stay, requiring checks each time they cross the border of Schengen region destinations.

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The move aimed to make border checks more efficient than when standard passport stamps are used, making border crossing easier and faster

Now, however, Europe‘s most popular airline, Ryanair, has asked for EES flexibility to be extended until 2028 to let airports operate efficiently before the full rollout begins.

Chief operations officer at Ryanair, Neal McMahon, said: “We support calls from EU Member States to urgently extend the EES flexibilities.

“This will give airports and border authorities the time to improve the infrastructure, fix the broken devices and hire more staff so that families can travel through Europe without disruption.”

The major airline has pointed out 16 airports that it calls “recurring EES hotspots”, which have consistently flagged excessive delays due to slow processing.

Locations, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Alicante and Malaga, are all popular destinations for Brits in peak summer holiday season.

Major city break airports, such as Madrid, Krakow, Budapest, Berlin, and Paris Beavouis, have equally been impacted by the changes.

The listed destinations are not the only places impacted by queues – 150 passengers reportedly missed flights from Toulouse, France due to queues of up to 500 people, as well as 50 in a similar case from Athens.

Ryanair bosses have advised travellers to allow extra time on their journey and be prepared for extended waits when EES checks require passport scanning, fingerprint capture and facial image verification.

Europe’s Entry/Exit System was introduced back in April and requires Brits to scan their fingerprints and have their photo taken when they enter the Schengen area Credit: Getty

Full list of 16 airports set to be hit the most by EES delays

  • Lisbon
  • Tenerife South
  • Madrid
  • Palma
  • Lanzarote
  • Alicante
  • Malaga
  • Milan Bergamo
  • Milan Malpensa
  • Verona
  • Paris Beauvais
  • Berlin
  • Cologne
  • Frankfurt Hahn
  • Krakow
  • Budapest

McMahon continued: “Families heading away for a well-earned summer holiday should be thinking about suitcases, suncream and sangria, not standing in passport queues for hours.

“The reality is that the EES system isn’t working properly and families are paying the price for a system that does not work months after launch. 

“Passengers should not be the testing ground for unfished border infrastructure.”

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EastEnders star shares passport alert after being refused boarding on Ryanair flight

EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman claims she was refused boarding on a Ryanair flight to Spain, as she was told her passport was not valid under new European rules

Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman has issued a passport warning to fellow travellers after claiming she was turned away from a Ryanair flight. The 59-year-old star, best known for her role as Chrissie Watts in EastEnders, said she had a year remaining on her passport. However, due to new European regulations, she was denied boarding.

Taking to X earlier this month, she wrote: “Just tried boarding a flight to Spain. My passport runs out June 2027. Was refused boarding because apparently it ran out in 2026 according to new European rules. Can anyone explain this to me ?I’m now stuck.” She later added: “I had a whole year [on my passport] but they said it didn’t count.

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“Ryanair people said that they get fined for people travelling with the extra year on their passport and they don’t want to pay the fine is that illegal.”

One person replied: “It doesn’t matter what date is expiring, it’s only valid for 10 years from issue,” as Tracy-Ann replied: “I wasn’t aware of this. It doesn’t flag it up massively when you book the ticket.”

While another wrote: “Clock runs from issue date. Chances are you renewed yours early. The EU doesn’t recognise the ‘bonus’ months.”

Ryanair has been approached for comment.

What are the new European passport rules?

If you renewed your burgundy UK passport early, the most crucial point to bear in mind is that your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter an EU country, meaning any “extra months” added to your expiry date from your previous passport are completely invalid for EU travel.

The burgundy colour and the words ” European Union ” on the cover do not matter; the document remains entirely valid as long as it meets post-Brexit requirements.

However, because the UK Passport Office used to add up to 9 months of unused validity onto early renewals prior to September 2018, your passport’s expiry date can deceive you into thinking it is valid when it is not.

Mandatory EU entry criteria

To travel to the EU and the Schengen Area, your passport must pass two independent tests:

1. The 10-year issue date rule: The passport must have a ‘Date of Issue’ that is less than 10 years ago on the day you arrive in the EU.

2. The 3-month expiry rule: The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the EU, based on its official expiry date.

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Ryanair issues airport delay warning to UK families over 15 destinations – list

Fifteen destinations in particular are facing major airport delays as the EU’s new digital passport checks are causing ‘slow processing times and excessive queues,’ Ryanair warned

Ryanair has warned UK families to prepare for lengthy passport queues and airport delays due to the EU‘s new automated border control system.

The budget airline said the new Entry/Exit System (EES) – which replaces physical passport stamps with a digital record for travellers – has continued to cause disruption months after becoming fully operational on April 10.

Fifteen destinations in particular are now facing significant delays due to “slow processing times and excessive passport control queues on both arrivals and departures,” Ryanair warned.

The airline added: “With schools now breaking for summer and passenger volumes reaching peak levels, the failed EES rollout is going to cause unnecessary delays and long queues for UK families.

“Months after EES went live, many airports still do not have fully functioning self-service kiosks in place, while border staffing levels and infrastructure remain inadequate to process peak passenger volumes.

“The result is avoidable delays, longer queues and unnecessary stress for UK passengers travelling during the busiest holiday period of the year.”

Ryanair has warned UK travellers going to and from non-Schengen destinations, or transiting through affected European airports, to be prepared for extended waits at passport control.

The new EES checks may require passengers to complete passport scanning, fingerprint capture and facial image verification.

Ryanair says it is supporting calls from EU Member States to urgently extend the current EES flexibilities into early 2027.

This will allow airports more time to fix malfunctioning kiosks, increase staff numbers and make sure the system is running smoothly before full enforcement is introduced, the airline said.

Ryanair’s Chief Operations Officer, Neal McMahon, said: “Families heading away for a well-earned summer holiday should be thinking about suitcases, suncream and sangria, not standing in passport queues for hours.

“The reality is that the EES system isn’t working properly and families are paying the price for a system that does not work months after launch. Passengers should not be the testing ground for unfished border infrastructure.

“We support calls from EU Member States to urgently extend the EES flexibilities. This will give airports and border authorities the time to improve the infrastructure, fix the broken devices and hire more staff so that families can travel through Europe without disruption.”

Ryanair identified 15 places where passengers have faced “recurring EES hotspots where passengers are experiencing significant delays due to slow processing times and excessive passport control queues on both arrivals and departures”.

Airports facing worst EES airport delays

  • Lisbon
  • Tenerife South
  • Madrid
  • Lanzarote
  • Alicante
  • Malaga
  • Milan Bergamo
  • Milan Malpensa
  • Verona
  • Paris Beauvais
  • Berlin
  • Cologne
  • Frankfurt Hahn
  • Krakow
  • Budapest

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