Ryanair

A MAJOR European airport is set for a huge, multi-billion expansion.

Rome Fiumicino Airport in Italy is a major European hub with around 51million passengers travelling through the airport each year.

And now the airport has revealed plans for a €9billion (£8.48billion) project to make the airport bigger.

Plans include adding a fourth runway to the airport, as well as opening a new terminal.

The new 3,400-metre-long runway will partially replace runway one, which will be shortened by 900 metres with this area being turned into a park that is open to the public.

Other upgrades will be carried out on the taxiways, aprons and connecting roads.

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Then, the new 350,000sqm terminal will be spread across several levels, with two new boarding areas, 76 gates and an exhibition area showcasing local culture.

The new terminal will also have a number of shops, green areas and public spaces.

The money will be split between €5billion (£4.28billion) being spent on expansion and the other €4billion (£3.4billion) being spent on upgrading existing facilities.

The aim is that the airport will be able to handle up to 100million passengers a year by 2046.

The project is set to be complete by 2033, which will mark the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s death and resurrection.

According to The Financial Times, the airport’s chief executive Marco Troncone said: “If this happens, the new runway may be ready in 2033, in time, ideally, for the next iconic event . . . to mark 2,000 years after the death of Jesus Christ.”

There are several airlines that fly between the UK and the Italian capital.

For example, you could fly with Ryanair or easyJet that both offer flights from a number of regional airports.

British Airways and Wizz Air also operate flights to the city.

Ryanair and Jet2 are also offering discounted flights

EasyJet is offering a range of what it is calling ‘unbeatable flight deals’, with one-way fares starting from £16.99 this summer. The airline has thousands of seats available for under £40, although baggage does cost extra.

August flights from Bristol to Malaga start at £16.99, while London Gatwick fliers can reach Milan Malpensa from £34.99 this month. Flights from Manchester to Alicante start at £17.49, and a one-way journey from Glasgow to Kos can be purchased from £34.49.

Looking further ahead, flights from London Luton to Lisbon – in September – start at £31.99, while flies from the same airport can visit Barcelona from under £17. These prices, and the thousands of other deals on offer, are subject to availability.

The basic fare only includes a small carry-on bag, with any other luggage incurring a fee. Elsewhere easyJet is also offering £50 off beach breaks, per person and with no minimum spend, before August 31.

EasyJet competitor Ryanair is also running a promotion, with flights from £14.99 to destinations such as Spain, Italy and Portugal. The deal is available on selected flights departing between now and October 31, 2026, and you must book by August 31.

We found a one-way flight from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Barcelona priced at £14.99, while a trip from London Luton to Alicante can be purchased for the same price. Ryanair said terms and conditions apply and promotional fares are subject to availability

And Jet2 is also running a deal, with thousands of seats at £39 or less, for travel between now and the end of October. We found return flights from Glasgow to Menorca, leaving on August 18 and returning on August 25, for £60 per person.

You can also travel from London Stansted to Ibiza, and back, from £63 per person when leaving and returning on the same dates. Unlike easyJet and Ryanair, Jet2’s standard fare comes with an allowance for two cabin bags without any extra charge.

Terms and conditions apply here, too, and Jet2 said: “When they’re gone, they’re gone”.

A Ryanair passenger has hit out at the airline after she was forced to pay a £75 oversized bag fee for a suitcase she claims to have used ‘more than 30 times’ over the last seven years

A Ryanair passenger claims she was forced to pay a £75 fee at the airport terminal for a bag she has travelled fine with ‘more than 30 times’. The flyer, named Laura, shared her frustration on X after the unexpected luggage charge.

Laura, who had been flying through Manchester Airport, posted: “Hey @Ryanair I want a refund for the £75 that the absolute jobsworth at Manchester Airport this afternoon took from me for an ‘oversized’ bag i’ve used and never had an issue with on this exact journey maybe 30+ times over the last seven years.” She included a photograph showing the bag apparently fitting into the 40 x 30 x 20 cm slot which is permitted.

In a follow-up to her initial post, she explained: “I asked a staff member, ‘have the measurements changed recently?’ and they said no, but that the enforcement was more stringent.”

One person responded: “This happened to me last year! Baring in mind I’ve just come back from a holiday 2 weeks before and had no problems.

“Their argument was that it was sticking out (being too wide). It wasn’t at all and is the same as yours is in the picture. Poor behaviour.”

Another user chimed in: “You’re so right, they’re trying to get money as much as they can, I had to buy a new bag as the one I’ve been using for the last 14 years is ‘too big’ and they also made me pay. They want to take money as much as possible.”

A third also added: “I hate that but there is no winning. The only way I found is to ask for the measure and have them measure it, if it checks out then it’s fine if not, then it’s on you.”

Not everyone was sympathetic, however, with some siding with Ryanair over the bag’s size. One user wrote: “The depth of your suitcase goes over the line that clearly says too big. What makes you think you are entitled to this over the other millions of passengers who don’t do this?”.

Another commented: “Looks like you owe Ryanair £2,250 for those 30 flights. Double it if they were returns.”

While one user simply stated: “It’s oversized.”

Several others urged Laura to switch airlines if she was unhappy with Ryanair’s policies.

She responded, however: “Unfortunately they’re the only airline operating on that route.”

A representative for Ryanair said: “This passenger booked a Regular Fare for this flight from Manchester to Göteborg Landvetter (Aug 4), which allowed them to carry a small personal bag and 10kg cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm onboard.

“As this passenger’s cabin bag exceeded the permitted size, she was correctly required to pay a standard gate baggage fee by the gate agent at Manchester Airport.”

What are Ryanair’s baggage fees?

Ryanair’s baggage fees vary dynamically depending on the route, date of travel, and when you purchase the allowance. Buying baggage online during your initial flight booking is always the cheapest option.

Cabin and hand luggage fees

Every passenger is allowed one small personal item for free (e.g., laptop bag, small backpack) that must fit under the seat in front of you (max 40 x 20 x 25 cm).

Priority and 2 cabin bags: Allows you to bring the free small bag plus a 10kg overhead cabin bag (max 55 x 40 x 20 cm).

• When booking flight: €/£6 to €/£36
• Added post-booking / at airport

Gate baggage fee: If your non-priority cabin bag is oversized at the gate, it will be placed in the hold for a fee of €/£50 to €/£69.99.

Checked baggage fees

• 10kg checked bag – €/£9.49 – €/£44.99 during initial booking, €/£23.99 – €/£44.99 post-booking/at airport
• 20kg checked bag – €/£18.99 – €/£59.99 during initial booking, €/£39.99 – €/£59.99 post-booking/at airport
• 23kg checked bag – €/£29.99 – €/£80.99 during initial booking, €/£54.00 – €/£97.00 post-booking/at airport

AN OUTRAGED traveller has shared photos of a bag that appears to fit in a bag sizer, claiming that a major budget airline is “chasing” commission.

In a photo shared on the social media platform X, a traveller has called out Ryanair after their bag fit in the sizer but they were still charged an oversized bag fee.

In a tweet @laura_myers said: “Hey @Ryanair, I want a refund for the £75 that the absolute jobsworth at Manchester Airport this afternoon took from me for an “oversized” bag I’ve used and never had an issue with on this exact journey maybe 30+ times over the last seven years.”

Laura followed up, commenting: “I asked a staff member “have the measurements changed recently?” and they said no, but that the enforcement was more stringent – in other words, the guy was really chasing his €2.50 per bag commission fee for the sake of millimetres.

The budget airline announced back in May that its staff would get bigger bonuses for identifying oversized bags.

The commission was already raised last November for its gate staff from €1.50 (£1.30) to €2.50 (£2.16) per bag.

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And in the future, CEO Micheal O’Leary has suggested it could get raised to as much as €3.50 (£3.03) per bag.

The outraged traveller added: “What a nice little earner of a con you’re pulling at the gate, will specifically avoid this route at all costs in future even if it means taking two connecting flights!”

Many people have flooded to the post to comment their thoughts, including pointing out that the bag appears to go a few millimetres beyond the line at the bottom of the sizer.

Other users have shared their outrage, with one commenting: “How are people defending Ryanair.”

Another added: “You won’t get a reply I’m afraid, they’re too busy taking the p*** out of people that booked window seats.”

A third said: “Flown with Ryanair once, I’d rather walk than have that experience again.”

Replying to comments on the post, Laura explained how she had paid to have a cabin bag as well as priority boarding.

Other users also questioned why the traveller used the airline with Laura replying that they are the only airline that fly to where she was heading.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: “This passenger booked a Regular Fare for this flight from Manchester to Göteborg Landvetter (4 Aug), which allowed them to carry a small personal bag and 10kg cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm onboard.

“As this passenger’s cabin bag exceeded the permitted size, she was correctly required to pay a standard gate baggage fee by the gate agent at Manchester Airport.”

GOING away with just hand luggage seems easy until you realise all the airlines have different policies on exactly what hand luggage is allowed.

While we all know budget airlines are some of the strictest, other airlines could still catch you out with a hidden fee at the airport.

So we’ve explained everything you need to know about taking a suitcase with some of the UK’s major airlines.

Read on for the current rules for Ryanair, easyJet, TUI, British Airways, Wizz Air Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic.

Easyjet

All easyJet passengers are allowed to bring one small underseat bag per person on board for free, measuring up to 45 x 36 x 20cm and weighing up to 15kg.

Currently, if you want a cabin bag measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, you’ll need to pay extra for it.

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The price for this depends on demand, the route, your flight date and the time of booking.

Though if you get to the gate and haven’t paid for a cabin bag but have one with you, you will be charged £60.

Wizz Air

Each passenger can bring onboard a small bag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm and weighing a maximum of 10kg with Wizz Air.

The bag must fit under the seat in front of you.

However, it does state on the airline’s website that you can also carry onboard a coat or blanket, mobile phone, reading material for the flight, and duty-free items for free.

But a neck pillow is not included in this, and must fit in your cabin baggage allowance.

Currently, if you want a cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 23cm, you will need to purchase this through Wizz Priority.

This will set you back between £12.85 and £89.98 during the low season and between £17.14 and £98.55 during the high season.

Ryanair

Each passenger can take a small bag on board that measures a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm.

It must fit under the seat in front of you and be a handbag, laptop bag or backpack.

If you want a cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20cm, then you will need to purchase this.

This will cost you between £12 and £36 at the time of booking, or between £20 and £60 when at the airport.

Jet2

All Jet2 passengers are entitled to a 10kg cabin bag, measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25cm and a small under seat bag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm.

On busy flights, Jet2 may ask to put your cabin bag in hold and if your bag is too big or heavy, you could be charged £45.

TUI

On TUI flights, passengers can each take one cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 20cm and a handbag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm.

If a bag exceeds the weight limit, you will be charged £60 per 15kg bag.

British Airways

With British Airways‘ basic economy fare, each passenger is entitled to one handbag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 15cm and one cabin bag measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25cm.

Your handbag must fit under the seat in front of you and your cabin bag must not have any valuables, electronics or essential medicines inside it.

If your cabin luggage is too big or heavy, British Airways might put it in the hold.

Though, you will have to pay a fee for this, which is usually £65 per bag, per way.

Virgin Atlantic

With Virgin Atlantic, each passenger in economy light is allowed to have one cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 23 × 36 × 56cm as well as an underseat bag such as a handbag or small rucksack measuring a maximum of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.

Your under seat bag must fit under the seat in front of you and any bags that are over the allowance could get a £65 charge as well as being placed in the hold.

A UK airport has been given official approval for its planned expansion that will see it DOUBLE passengers numbers.

Its other plans include a brand-new terminal and expanding the existing one too.

London Luton Airport has now cleared all legal hurdles in order to expand in a £2.4billion project.

The initial plans were first approved by the government in April 2025.

Then on July 31, the Supreme Court declined to grant campaigners final permission to appeal – meaning the plans can go-ahead unopposed.

Now, the airport is set to build a new terminal as well as work on its existing one so that it can welcome up to 32million passengers by 2043.

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Flights will increase to 209,000 flights per year from its current average between 65,000 to 68,000.

Last year, Luton was UK’s fifth-busiest airport and saw 17.5million passengers.

The expansion will also create 11,000 new jobs at the airport, with 4,400 of those in the town itself.

Paul Kehoe, chair of Luton Rising which owns Luton Airport, called clearing it a “landmark moment”.

He said: “We are very pleased to now have the certainty we have been working towards.

“As a community-owned organisation, every passenger travelling through our airport means more investment in local people and services.”

Last year, London Luton won the award for the ‘Best Low-Cost Airline Terminal 2025′ by Skytrax.

Based on passenger satisfaction and overall experience, Luton Airport was been crowned the best terminal in the UK for budget airlines.

The airport is home to airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air.

It then welcomed airline Jet2 to the airport with 17 new routes at its start in April last year.

And throughout the month of August this year, London Luton Airport has launched free bus travel for any passenger travelling to the terminal.

The airline says it’s going to start charging passengers for ‘priority carry-on’ so it can stop weighing every piece of luggage at the gate just before departure

A major budget airline is ending its free overhead cabin bag policy and replacing it with a new £13 rule.

From the start of February 2027, passengers flying with Jetstar will only be able to bring a small bag that must fit under the seat in front of them for free. The new rules end Jetstar’s free overhead luggage policy, which was limited to 7kg, and now mirrors the baggage restrictions used by European budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet.

Previously, every piece of luggage set to be taken onboard a Jetstar flight was weighed by airline staff at the gate, with anyone with overweight bags forced to pay fees in order to board with their bags.

The Australian airline, which flies across Australia, New Zealand, south-east Asia, and even as far as Japan and South Korea, says the new rules have been brought in to stop this practice.

“We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and for our crew,” said CEO Stephanie Tully.

“To make packing easier we’ve decided to remove the 7kg weight limit, so from February, the main thing customers will need to think about is the size of their carry-on.”

The new rules mean passengers who want to take more luggage than the free under-seat bag must purchase a ‘priority carry-on’ fare to access the overhead lockers. This fee costs at least another A$25 (£13, as of August 5, 2026).

Ms Tully explained why Jetstar decided to charge extra: “By giving customers an underseat bag with the option to add Priority Carry-on, we can make better use of overhead locker space, streamline boarding and help more flights depart on time.”

“Our new carry-on baggage model provides more choice to customers while helping to keep our fares low. You only pay for what you need – travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need.”

While fees start at just A$25, they climb dramatically for longer and more popular flights. It will cost A$33 (£17.30) for its most popular route, Sydney to Melbourne, A$39 (£20.45) from Perth to popular holiday destination Denpasar in Bali, and A$52 (£27.27) from Cairns to Tokyo Narita.

New size limits have also been confirmed for carry-on luggage. Underseat bags must be smaller than 40 × 30 × 20cm, while overhead bags can be up to 56 × 36 × 23cm large.

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.

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.

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.”

Travelling by plane is considered the easiest option if you’re going abroad. But one woman showed how it’s a lot simpler than you think getting to the Mediterranean island without a plane

The idea of travelling is fun, no matter what form it comes in. Recently one woman travelled from the UK to Spain without flying and people couldn’t quite believe how much it cost her.

Now the same traveller has tried a different route abroad – and it’s a lot easier than you think. Known as Claire’s Footsteps, the adventure-seeker embarked on the trip from the UK to Sicily and decided to do it completely without jumping on a plane. Although the trip might seem a little bit more complex than one flight, it was an experience Claire would never forget.

The traveller began her TikTok post: “You can easily travel from London to Sicily by train and this is exactly how much it costs.” Claire revealed it’s an average £100 on the Eurostar from London to Paris then you can take a £80 high-speed train to Milan.

She added: “You’ll need to stay in Milan for a night and the best deal I found is £107 then it’s £102 for a sleeper train all the way to Sicily and this includes your own private cabin.

“The craziest part is that this train goes straight onto a ferry, you don’t even need to get off the train, although I definitely would recommend to see the views.”

London to Sicily Train Route & Cost Breakdown

Claire revealed it takes about three hours to Palermo, the vibrant capital city of Sicily. Otherwise you can get off at Syracuse, the historic coastal city famous for its ancient Greek ruins.

She concluded: “And you’ve arrived in Sicily without flying.”

In total, Claire roughly estimated the trip cost her £389, based on average prices at this time.

The travel from London to Sicily without a plane is not easy. It’s a very long journey taking about 28 to 48 hours across multiple trains and a ferry. Also it requires multiple connections, including the Eurostar and Italian sleeper trains.

People weren’t completely set on the idea of travelling to Sicily without any planes.

One wrote: “I don’t know why anyone would do this trip over a cheap flight!! Just why?!” Another added: “Or £50 on Ryanair.”

Is No-Fly Travel Worth It? Costs, Durations & Highlights

Travelling to Sicily from the UK without flying is a highly scenic and eco-friendly adventure. It would feature a rare train-on-a-boat ferry crossing, making it an incredibly unique experience.

While the cost is significantly more than a flight, it can also be stressful as delays on one leg could lead to missed connections. It also requires careful timing when booking separate tickets across multiple rail operators.

Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island and a popular travel destination for many. Located just off the “toe” of Italy’s “boot”, its rich history is reflected in sites like the Valley of the Temples and in the Byzantine mosaics at the Cappella Palatina.

Meanwhile towards the eastern edge is Mount Etna, one of Europe’s highest active volcanoes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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

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)

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’

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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