The low-cost airline is reducing the number of flights at 19 airports across Europe, including in the UK, and passengers have been warned to check their itineraries and alternative routes
Ryanair has cut flights from 19 airports (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ryanair has slashed flights at 19 airports across Europe, including in the UK, ahead of its summer timetable.
The decision comes as the budget carrier attempts to streamline its operations and tackle seasonal overcapacity, according to Travel and Tour World.
Travellers departing from or arriving at the airports facing reductions must verify their schedules to confirm their booking remains valid.
Full list of airports facing cuts:
United Kingdom
London Stansted
Manchester
Ireland
Germany
Berlin Brandenburg
Cologne Bonn
Hamburg
Italy
Portugal
Belgium
France
Poland
Hungary
Romania
Bulgaria
Spain
The budget carrier has implemented the reductions to optimise its strategic network, ease economic pressures and manage rising costs.
The widespread cancellations form part of the airline’s efforts to safeguard profitability as the fuel crisis continues to fuel inflation worries.
The cuts come after Brits heading to Europe were caught in hours-long airport queues, with some passengers reportedly missing flights as new border checks continue to cause disruption across the EU.
The delays come following the rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which officially launched on October 12, 2025. Under the new system, non-EU travellers including Brits are required to register fingerprints and have their photograph taken when entering or leaving the Schengen area.
Situated in the south west of Germany, on the border of the iconic Black Forest mountain range, the city has jointly been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
13:19, 17 May 2026Updated 13:19, 17 May 2026
Baden-Baden has been described as “one of Europe’s most elegant hidden gems” (stock image)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
If you’re thinking about a trip to Europe, but want something a bit off the beaten track, one “hidden gem” with historic spas, Roman ruins, and incredible museums could be just the ticket. Situated in the south west of Germany, on the border of the iconic Black Forest mountain range, the city has, along with Bath in Somerset and nine other locations, jointly been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of ‘The Great Spa Towns of Europe’.
Travel influencer Katherine McQueen, who has 685,000 followers on Instagram, where she is known as vineyardsandvoyages, posted a look into everything the city has to offer. She said: “This is one of Europe’s most elegant hidden gems… and most people skip it.”
Describing the city as “polished, romantic, and completely different from the bigger stops most travellers add to their itineraries”, she hailed its “pastel streets, grand architecture, thermal baths, elegant cafés, beautiful gardens, and old-world glamour around every corner”. But it was the history which she hailed as its most important element.
“People have been coming here for the thermal waters since Roman times, and wellness is still one of the biggest reasons to visit today,” she said. “You can soak in mineral-rich baths, wander through historic spa buildings, and experience a side of Germany that feels slow, refined, and deeply relaxing.”
Katherine also praised the city’s glittering casino, food – including, of course, the iconic Black Forest gateau – and location, calling it “one of the most unexpectedly charming places I’ve visited in Germany”.
The city in question is Baden-Baden, located around 15 miles east of the French border, and 42 miles west of Stuttgart.
In the post Katherine explained more about what the city has to offer. “Some of the bathhouses here feel more like palaces than spas, with mineral pools, grand domes, and centuries of wellness history,” she said. “But it’s not just a spa town. It’s also filled with elegant architecture, gardens, colonnades, and beautiful places to wander.”
She added: “The whole city has this refined, romantic atmosphere. Long covered walkways, grand buildings, art, gardens, and peaceful corners everywhere.”
Concluding, she said: “It has that rare mix of history, wellness, food, architecture, and nature, all in one very walkable little city. Everywhere you look, there are details that make it feel grand without feeling overwhelming. This town rewards slow wandering. Hidden side streets, stairways, dreamy corners, and beautiful views around every turn.”
The city’s official tourism website says: “Baden-Baden was founded 2,000 years ago to do people good. Thermal water at temperatures of up to 68 degrees gushes out of the earth from 12 thermal springs in Baden-Baden. Even today, our spa town at the foot of the Black Forest is the perfect place to enjoy spa tradition – whether in the Caracalla Spa or in the historic Friedrichsbad Spa.”
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How can I get to Baden-Baden?
By air: Direct flights to Baden-Baden are available from London Stansted Airport. Indirect flights are also available from most other UK airports.
By train: You can take the Eurostar to Paris or Brussels, with various connecting routes available.
By car: You can drive by taking the Eurostar and then heading south east through France, or east into Belgium before crossing, into Germany. Once arriving in France, the route is between 400 and 450 miles, taking between six and seven hours.
Jet2 has issued a major announcement for British holidaymakers after its inaugural flight to the Greek island of Samos departed from Manchester Airport on Friday
Jet2’s inaugural flight to Samos departed from Manchester Airport on Friday (stock)(Image: Getty)
Jet2 has announced a major “first” for the airline, in a huge boost to British tourists.
The airline revealed its inaugural flight to Samos departed from Manchester Airport on Friday, marking “the start of the brand-new Greek route for summer 2026”.
Jet2 says it will now be offering flights and holidays to the island. Samos is “for holidaymakers looking to discover the beautiful Greek island”, it says. The island lies just off the coast of Turkey and is renowned for its golden beaches as well as lush, mountainous landscapes.
Jet2 will operate twice weekly services on Tuesday and Friday until the end of October. The Manchester flight will be followed by one to Samos from Birmingham Airport on May 4, and another from London Stansted Airport on May 7.
Weekly Monday services will operate from Birmingham until October 26, and twice weekly services on Monday and Thursday will go from Stansted until October 29, BirminghamLive reports.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “As we commence our biggest ever summer programme to Greece, we are pleased to see our first flight to Samos take off from Manchester Airport for Summer 2026.
“We are already looking forward to seeing our first flights depart from a further two additional UK airport bases, offering customers and independent travel agents fantastic choice and flexibility when it comes to enjoying a sun-kissed holiday.
“Samos is a fantastic addition to our portfolio, and since putting these new flights and holidays on sale they have been proven very popular with holidaymakers looking for a laid-back Greek island experience.”
British holidaymakers have been suffering delays at airports on continental Europe because of the rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which involves people from external countries such as the UK having their fingerprints registered and photograph taken to enter the Schengen Area.
More than 100 easyJet passengers stuck in delays at passport desks at Milan Linate airport missed a flight to Manchester last month. Greece has already ditched the new rules for UK holidaymakers until September after they led to huge queues.
Airports in Portugal are reportedly already waving passengers through if queues get too big. Italy is expected to follow Greece and allow people to enter on a passport stamp as the May half-term looms. Places like Spain, France and Croatia could do the same.
