Travel delays strikes and disruption

Airline suspends flights from major UK airport

AN AIRLINE has cancelled all of flights from a popular UK airport until further notice.

IndiGo has now stopped its flights from Manchester Airport to Delhi and Mumbai.

IndiGo has stopped its flights from Manchester Airport Credit: Getty

The suspension, originally announced back in June, is due to rising costs and airspace restrictions.

But from yesterday (August 31), the airline is “temporarily discontinuing” the flights, citing closed airspaces and higher costs.

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There is currently no date of when the flights could return.

One of the six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft used for the route will be returned to Norse Atlantic Airways.

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IndiGo introduced its first direct flights from Manchester in July last year, with a non-stop route to Mumbai.

In November, the airline then introduced the route to Delhi.

At peak, the two routes would operate nine times a week.

With the removal of flights from Manchester, if you want to fly with IndiGo, you will now need to go to either London Heathrow or London Gatwick.

The airline operated routes to Mumbai and Delhi Credit: Alamy
The airline has said it is temporary but a return date has not been announced Credit: Getty

Abhijit Dasgupta, Senior Vice President – Network Planning & Revenue Management, IndiGo, said: “We inducted these wide-body aircraft on a short-term basis to fast-track our connectivity to high potential long-haul destinations such as Manchester, and witnessed very encouraging demand response.

“It is, therefore, unfortunate that longer flying times due to airspace constraints, coupled with dramatically escalating cost, has compelled us to take the decision to temporarily discontinue our India – Manchester services.

“We would like to thank our customers, trade partners in India and in the UK, and Manchester Airport for their amazing support.

“The response and support for these services have reinforced our belief in the opportunity for IndiGo’s long-haul ambitions, and this discontinuation is temporary in nature.

“We look forward to serving this route again at the earliest viable opportunity and are exploring innovative solutions to continuing our collaboration with Norse Atlantic Airways.”



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UK airport forced to CLOSE due to strike action with all flights cancelled

A UK airport has been forced to close today as staff walk out with ALL flights suspended.

Norwich Airport is closed today following the strike action.

Norwich International Airport has closed with all flights cancelled today Credit: Skyworks Places / Getty
It comes as staff carry out strike action Credit: Alamy

Flights cancelled today include three arrivals from Amsterdam and an arrival from Alicante.

As for departures, four flights to Amsterdam have been cancelled and one flight to Alicante has as well.

Airlines impacted by the strike action include Ryanair and KLM.

The strike was announced earlier this week, which has resulted in the flight suspension until the end of the day.

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It comes as Prospect union announced the strike as part of an ongoing dispute over pay, terms and conditions.

In a statement on the airport’s website, it says: “Due to the 24-hour strike by Prospect union members in Air Traffic Control, Norwich Airport will be closed to air traffic on Friday 28 August and no flights will operate to or from the airport that day.

“Airlines have been informed. Passengers due to travel on Friday should check with their airline for the latest information about their flight and the options available to them.

“We apologise for the disruption and inconvenience this will cause to passengers.

Collage of travel items including a plane, sunscreen, passport, suitcase, and plane tickets, advertising The Sun's travel Instagram account.
Airlines impacted include Ryanair and KLM Credit: Skyworks Places / Getty

“We remain firmly committed to resolving this dispute through constructive dialogue and will continue to engage with Prospect with the aim of reaching agreement.”

The airport operates to a number of destinations abroad, such as Spain and the Netherlands.

Yesterday, local travel agents told holidaymakers that they would need to travel 101 miles to catch their flights.

They would instead be departing from Southend Airport in Essex with passengers told to head to Norwich Airport, where they would then be taken on a coach to Southend.



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UK airport to close TOMORROW with all flights cancelled and passengers forced to travel extra 100 miles

A UK airport will be forced to fully close tomorrow due to strike action, resulting in all flights being suspended.

Norwich Airport will close all day on August 28 due to an air traffic control strike.

Norwich Airport sign with the Regional & City Airports logo.
Norwich Airport will close for 24 hours on August 28 Credit: Alamy

As a result, all flights have been cancelled.

The airport operates to a number of European destinations including Faro, Malta, Alicante and Amsterdam.

And the strike action is forcing holidaymakers to travel 101 miles to catch their flights.

Local travel agents have said that anyone due to travel from the airport tomorrow will now depart from Southend Airport in Essex.

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Passengers have been told to head to Norwich Airport, where they will then be taken on a coach to Southend.

Strike action comes as Prospect union continues an ongoing dispute over pay, terms and conditions.

Strike action started last Monday after the airport failed to make an offer to resolve the dispute, with several cancellations on Friday including Loganair flights to and from Aberdeen.

In a statement on the airport’s website, it says: “Due to the 24-hour strike by Prospect union members in Air Traffic Control, Norwich Airport will be closed to air traffic on Friday 28 August and no flights will operate to or from the airport that day.

Collage of travel items including a plane, sunscreen, passport, suitcase, and plane tickets, advertising The Sun's travel Instagram account.
Aerial view of Norwich International Airport showing the terminal building, parked aircraft, taxiways, and parking lots.
All flights have been cancelled with travellers having to head 101 miles to catch a flight Credit: Skyworks Places / Getty

“Airlines have been informed.

“Passengers due to travel on Friday should check with their airline for the latest information about their flight and the options available to them.

“We apologise for the disruption and inconvenience this will cause to passengers.

“We remain firmly committed to resolving this dispute through constructive dialogue and will continue to engage with Prospect with the aim of reaching agreement.”



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New train strike to spark chaos over August Bank Holiday as passengers told ‘only travel if essential’

RAIL commuters have been warned of disruption to services over the bank holiday weekend.

With strike action set to take place, a number of services will be effected on Sunday and Monday.

Passengers disembarking from a train at King's Cross Station in London.
A number of rail disruptions will take place over the upcoming bank holiday weekend (stock image) Credit: LNP
East Midlands Railway train at a station.
Travel chaos is expected this weekend as East Midlands Railway announces plans for a ‘significantly reduced’ timetable in response to strike action (stock image) Credit: East Midlands Railway

Travel chaos is expected at East Midlands Railway (EMR) this weekend as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are set to walk out in a dispute over safety.

EMR has confirmed plans for a “significantly reduced” timetable for services to and from London on both days.

It has advised passengers to check details before embarking on their journeys and to only travel if absolutely essential this bank holiday weekend.

This Sunday (August 30) will see even further disruption, with no LNER trains running between London King’s Cross and Peterborough as digital signalling upgrades are carried out by Network Rail.

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EMR services to and from London St Pancras are expected to be extremely busy on Sunday, with the increase in demand coinciding with the reduced services.

Meanwhile, Sheffield station and Nottingham station will be very busy, with queues to board services set to be in place.

The strike action comes as the RMT continues to voice concerns about safety issues on some trains.

EMR said it is holding “constructive discussions” with the RMT, meeting with the union six times as it works towards resolving the issues.

Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at EMR, said the company recognise “how frustrating this disruption will be for customers”.

“We are very sorry for the impact this will have on August bank holiday plans,” she said.

“We strongly advise customers to only travel to or from London if their journey is essential on Sunday, August 30 and Monday, August 31, and to check their full journey, including first and last trains, before setting out.”

Meanwhile, the RMT said its members have been instructed to refuse to work a Class 810 train if a list of specified faults continue, including lack of air-con, door faults, and non-working toilets.

The union’s general secretary Eddie Dempsey said it would ensure representatives will be permanently involved in discussions with both EMR and manufacturers Hitachi to try to improve the situation.

“RMT is demanding that whilst these faults exist and until these trains are shown to be operating properly, they should be taken out of service,” he said.

“It is now time for EMR management to act on the safety concerns of our members.”

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Major travel warning as nationwide strike to hit top holiday destination next month

ANYONE travelling through Italy could have their plans scuppered thanks to a series of strikes.

Throughout September, there are set to be a walkouts from staff working in airports, railway hubs, on ferries and public transport across the country.

Rail strikes are set to start at the beginning of the month Credit: Alamy
Air strikes could affect major airports like Pisa Credit: Getty

The first strike will hit Italy on September 7 when railway workers have planned industrial action for 24 hours.

It’s set to begin at around 9.20pm on Monday evening for 24 hours until the same time on Tuesday.

The staff staging walkouts work at companies which carry out railway operations across Italy including train drivers.

Some operators that will be affected include Trenitalia, Trenitalia Tper and Mercitalia Rail.

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It’s likely there will be cancellations and timetable changes across the entire country’s network during this time.

But due to Italian law, there has to be some guaranteed service during the strike, so some trains will be running during this period.

Later on in September, there will be strikes at airports in both Pisa and Florence.

On September 13, ground staff at Pisa and Florence airports will strike between 11am and 3pm.

Private security staff at Fiumicino, Turin and Malpensa airports will also walkout during these times.

The most disruption is likely on September 30 when there will be a four hour national strike by Italy’s national air traffic provider ENAV and a company called Techno Sky which looks after airport maintenance.

Travellers should look in advance during the strikes for scheduled services Credit: Alamy

Staff look to strike during the afternoon which could see delays and cancellations at airports across Italy, although airlines are yet to confirm which flights will be affected.

Throughout September, there will also be frequent strikes on local public transport in the cities of Genoa, Venice, Vicenza, Trento, Bergamo and Perugia.

September 15 is set to be particularly disrupted with public transport staff striking in popular cities like Florence, Naples, Venice and Pisa.

On September 26, there will be a 24-hour general strike which will affect rail, ferry and bus services across the country.

It’s advised to check which services are still running before heading off as it may impact travel plans.

Under EU rules, passengers whose train or flight is cancelled because of strike action are entitled to a full refund or rerouting on an alternative service at no extra cost. 



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UK airport to close this week due to strikes with ALL flights cancelled

A UK airport is set to close for an entire day this week – with strikes having already caused chaos.

Norwich Airport in Norfolk will be closed on August 28 due to another air traffic control strike taking place at the airport.

Norwich Airport sign with the Regional & City Airports logo.
Norwich Airport will close on August 28 Credit: Alamy

As a result, the airport will not be able to operate across the day meaning all flights will be cancelled, as there will be extremely low staff numbers.

It comes as Prospect union announced the strike as part of an ongoing dispute over pay, terms and conditions.

Strike action started last Monday after the airport failed to make an offer to resolve the dispute, with several cancellations on Friday including Loganair flights to and from Aberdeen.

Strike action means that staff will work strictly to their contract, not work overtime, won’t swap shifts and will withdraw goodwill.

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In a statement on the airport’s website, it says: “Due to the 24-hour strike by Prospect union members in Air Traffic Control, Norwich Airport will be closed to air traffic on Friday 28 August and no flights will operate to or from the airport that day.

“Airlines have been informed. Passengers due to travel on Friday should check with their airline for the latest information about their flight and the options available to them.

“We apologise for the disruption and inconvenience this will cause to passengers.

“We remain firmly committed to resolving this dispute through constructive dialogue and will continue to engage with Prospect with the aim of reaching agreement.”

Aerial view of KLM aircraft and helicopters at Norwich Airport in Norfolk, England.
The closure is due to ongoing industrial action Credit: Alamy

Destinations you can fly to from the airport include Faro, Malta, Alicante and Amsterdam.

Cancellations include a flights to Aberdeen, Corfu, Amsterdam, Alicante, Majorca and Dalaman.

David Avery, Prospect National Secretary for Aviation said: “It is extremely disappointing that we have still not received an acceptable offer from Norwich Airport, which has left us with little choice but to push ahead with this industrial action.

“Our members in air traffic control are not making unreasonable demands, they are simply asking for pay levels and terms and conditions that are normal for their colleagues across the country.

“We hope that the employer can quickly return to the bargaining table with an improved offer that will enable this dispute to be resolved without the need for strike action.”

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Flights cancelled across three airports in Europe

DELAYS are set to hit three major airports over the weekend due to a strike by air traffic control.

The walkouts started today and will continue for the next few days with warnings of disruption.

Three airports in Norway will experience disruption over the weekend Credit: Alamy
The strike will last from today until Monday next week Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Members of the Norwegian Air Traffic Controllers Association staff have staged strikes affecting service at Oslo Airport Gardermoen, Bergen Airport Flesland, Stavanger Airport.

This also includes workers at Røyken – an air traffic control centre.

The strike officially began just before midday today and is scheduled to continue until Monday next week.

Avinor, a company that operates most of the public airports in Norway, has warned that Oslo Airport Gardermoen could be closed for several hours during the weekend.

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It added that part of the airspace over western Norway could also be closed periodically.

On the Oslo Airport Gardermoen website, a message reads: “Due to an ongoing air traffic controllers’ strike, flight operations at Avinor’s airports are currently disrupted.

“The strike is affecting capacity in Norwegian airspace, resulting in delays and cancellations across multiple departures and arrivals.

“The extent of disruptions may vary. All passengers are advised to follow updates from their airline. Avinor apologises for the inconvenience.”

Avinor spokesperson Helene W. Jensen told local media today that “delays will increase throughout the day and become worse this evening.”

Initial disruptions mainly affect flights to and from Oslo, the country’s capital.

Some flights have been cancelled – but none to or from the UK Credit: Alamy

Airlines from the UK fly into Oslo Airport Gardermoen include Ryanair, SAS, British Airways and Norwegian.

So far none of the cancelled flights area heading to or from the UK.

Passengers are being advised to check for information with their airline and if they haven’t received information about a cancellation, to go to the airport as normal.



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Ryanair launches rescue fares after easyJet set to scrap all flights from UK airport

RYANAIR is offering bargain rescue flights to any easyJet travellers faced with cancellations at a major UK airport.

EasyJet announced earlier this week that it will be axing all of its flights from Leeds Bradford Airport.

Row of Ryanair airplanes parked at Stansted Airport, UK.
Ryanair is launching rescue fares after easyJet announced it was cancelling flights from a UK airport earlier this week Credit: BrasilNut1

The last flight will be on January 5, 2027.

Destinations the airline flies to from the airport include Paris, Barcelona and Malaga.

Now, Ryanair has announced that it will be launching ‘rescue fares’ from £29.99 for passengers impacted by easyJet’s flight cancellations at Leeds Bradford Airport.

From today, Ryanair flights between Leeds Bradford and Malaga in Spain, will be £29.99.

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Ryanair currently operates 10 weekly flights between Leeds and the Spanish holiday hotspot.

Travellers will be able to book the rescue fares between now and the end of February 2027.

Ryanair’s Director of Comms, Jade Kirwan, said: “While easyJet abandons Leeds Bradford, cutting its full schedule from 5 Jan 2027, Ryanair is saving the day with rescue fares from just £29.99 for affected passengers – particularly those booked to fly easyJet from Leeds Bradford to Malaga, who can now switch to one of Ryanair’s 10 Malaga services per week.

“Ryanair’s rescue fares are available to book now on the Ryanair app/website.”

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Multiple Ryanair planes parked on an airfield.
The rescue fares start from £29.99 Credit: Alamy

When easyJet announced that the airline will be scrapping flights from Leeds Bradford Airport, a spokesperson said: “Following a review of our routes from Leeds Bradford Airport, we have made the decision to no longer operate flights from the airport after 5 January.

“Our focus is on maintaining and developing routes which prove most popular with customers.

“We value the relationship we have built with Leeds Bradford Airport and we always keep options for our network under review, with the aim of providing more choice and connectivity where we see demand.”



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Ryanair passengers miss their flight home after MORE mega airport queues leave them stranded abroad

A NUMBER of Ryanair passengers missed their flight this week due to more airport queue chaos.

Travellers at Copenhagen Airport became stuck in long queues on Tuesday.

Ryanair Boeing 737-800 airplane at Lanzarote airport in Spain.
54 passengers missed their Ryanair flight from Copenhagen to Manchester due to long airport queues Credit: Getty

The Ryanair flight was scheduled to have 179 passengers, however 54 didn’t even make it onboard.

When the flight closed for boarding, any passengers who weren’t onboard had their luggage unloaded from hold.

The delays were not due to the new Entry/Exit System (EES) that has been causing delays at other European airports.

Instead, they were due to a water leak.

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A spokesperson for the airport said: “The longer queues at passport control on Tuesday afternoon were caused by an extraordinary operational issue and were not related to the EES system.

“On Tuesday afternoon, an unfortunate water leak occurred in a server room connected to the passport control area in Pier E, one of the airport’s two passport control facilities.

“As a result, all passengers had to pass through passport control in Pier C for the remainder of the day.

“When half of the available passport control capacity is taken out of operation, longer waiting times are unfortunately unavoidable.

Passengers waiting at the departure gate in Stansted Airport for their Ryanair flight.
It followed a water leak at the airport Credit: Alamy

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this caused our passengers.”

Sun Travel has contacted Ryanair for comment.

This is the latest in a number of incidents of passengers missing their flights in Europe recently.

However, other cases have been caused by long queues at airports due to EES.

For example, back in April, about 100 passengers were left stranded at Milan Linate Airport after their easyJet flight to Manchester left without them.

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Fears of more easyJet chaos after 100 flights cancelled across six European airports

A MAJOR budget airline cancelled around 100 flights at a number of airports over the weekend – and there could be more to come.

Travellers are being warned that there could easyJet flight cancellations due to strikes, in the next two weeks.

Crowded transport hub in Paris, France, with travelers queuing with luggage under a modern glass canopy.
There could be more easyJet cancellations following strikes this past weekend Credit: Getty

Between August 15 and 16, an initial walk out led to nearly 100 flights to and from France cancelled, impacting thousands of passengers.

And there is the possibility that cabin crew could start a number of strikes again over the coming days.

A notification for strike action remains in place until September 2.

The notice gives workers at the airline the option to strike with 48 hours notice.

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With the strike notice still in place for the couple of weeks, travellers are being warned that the chaos might not yet be over.

If further strike action is called, it is expected to take place on weekends as this will create the most disruption.

The previous strikes impacted all of easyJet’s bases in France including Paris Orly, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Lyon, Nice, Nantes, and Bordeaux.

According to The Connexion, no further strike dates have been confirmed at the moment.

An EasyJet Airbus A320 commercial airplane on a runway at Vaclav Havel airport.
The airline had to cancel around 100 flights Credit: Getty

Three unions are involved in the action, which has been called over poor working conditions and uncooperative management.

The Connexion added that easyJet has offer alternatives to all passengers impacted but the strike action over the past weekend, including other flight options.

Due to the strike action being called by easyJet’s staff it cannot be classed as ‘extenuating circumstances’ and as a result passengers should receive compensation and refunds.

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Major airport issues new travel warning as flights still being cancelled and delayed

A MAJOR European airport continues to be impacted by a volcanic eruption.

Catania Airport in Sicily, Italy has has faced hundreds of cancellations and delays, as well as a multi-day closure over the past week.

Mount Etna erupting with molten lava flowing down its sides at night.
Mount Etna on Sicily has now been erupting for over a week Credit: Splash

It has since issued yet another travel warning this morning as Mount Etna continues to cause travel disruption.

In the latest statement on the airport’s website, it says: “Due to Etna’s eruptive activity, the closure of the airspace corresponding to Sector B1 has been extended.

“Arriving flight operations have been restored to 12 aircraft per hour until 6:00 PM today, 18 August.

“There are no restrictions on departures. Passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport.

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“Further updates will follow.”

While the airport is now open, Etna is still erupting with a new lava flow emerging just yesterday.

Cancellations today include a flight due to land at 12pm from Manchester Airport.

While most flights remain ‘scheduled’ according to the airport’s website, as the day progresses delays could emerge.

Last week, cancellations at the airport saw passengers stranded with some even sleeping on luggage belts.

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Travelers and their luggage wait in an airport terminal due to disrupted flights from Mount Etna's ash cloud.
Some flights are still facing cancellations and delays Credit: Splash

Numerous other flights were diverted to Palermo Airport, also in Sicily.

There were also disruptions at Malta International Airport last week, as an ash cloud caused by Etna travelled across the country.

What does the disruption due to Mount Etna mean for passengers?

Anton Radchenko, air passenger rights expert and founder and CEO of AirAdvisor, explained what the disruption means for customers…

“When volcanic ash closes airspace, airlines will usually class it as an extraordinary circumstance, which means fixed cash compensation is unlikely.

“However, I would urge passengers not to confuse ‘no compensation’ with ‘no rights’.

“The airline must still offer a refund or rerouting and provide reasonable meals, accommodation and transport while passengers wait.

“If you still need to get home, do not automatically accept a refund.

“Once you accept it, the airline’s rerouting and care obligations will normally end.

“Ask for the earliest reasonable alternative and, if another airline can get you back significantly sooner, ask to be transferred to that service.

“If you have to pay for reasonable essentials because the airline fails to provide them, keep every itemised receipt so you can seek reimbursement.”

This is supported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s current cancellation guidance which you can find here.



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Major European airport reopens after more than a week of chaos

A EUROPEAN airport has finally restarted flights after a week of chaos – but passengers are still being warned of cancellations.

Catania Airport in Sicily, Italy, was forced to cancel hundreds of flights last week as well as close for a number of days due to Mount Etna erupting.

Mount Etna has been erupting for over a week and causing travel chaos Credit: Splash
While flights have restarted, there are still lots of cancellations Credit: Reuters

Today, the airport is open again, however flights are still being cancelled.

There are currently no restrictions on departures, but only five flights are allowed to arrive at the airport per hour.

And despite departure flights going ahead, there are already several delays this morning affecting Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways passengers.

In the latest statement on the airport’s website, it says: “Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and the associated release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace corresponding to Sectors B1 and B2 has been closed.

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“Arriving flights are limited to 5 aircraft per hour until 2:00 PM today, Monday 17 August.

“There are no restrictions on departures.

“Passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport. Further updates will follow in the coming hours.”

In the latest update, at 7:09am this morning a new volcano vent opened, creating a new lava flow.

The chaos has been causing problems for over a week Credit: Splash
Two passengers were due to fly back to London but have been stuck in Sicily since August 11 Credit: SWNS
Evgenia Filimianova has also been left stranded Credit: SWNS

“Intense explosive activity” also resumed at the summit crater, with an ash plume rising a few kilometres, according to Volcano Discovery.

Some passengers have been left stranded during the volcanic activity.

Barbara Krmelj, 35 and partner Roy Barone, 46, were due to fly back to London on August 11 but their flights were cancelled.

As a result, the duo had to take an extra week’s leave from their jobs and while they have been given new flights, they anticipate that they too will be cancelled.

The couple, who said they are likely to have been left £1,000 out of pocket, added: “We can’t enjoy all the beauty around us as we feel trapped on the island.”

Another passenger, Evgenia Filimianova, 39, flew to Sicily from London to attend a friends wedding but their return flight was cancelled.

Evgenia said: “It feels like there is no way out. Emotionally, it’s not easy – it’s stressful and tiring and we weren’t prepared for it.”

Last week, the volcanic ash also caused issues at Malta International Airport.

What does the disruption due to Mount Etna mean for passengers?

Anton Radchenko, air passenger rights expert and founder and CEO of AirAdvisor, explained what the disruption means for customers…

“When volcanic ash closes airspace, airlines will usually class it as an extraordinary circumstance, which means fixed cash compensation is unlikely.

“However, I would urge passengers not to confuse ‘no compensation’ with ‘no rights’.

“The airline must still offer a refund or rerouting and provide reasonable meals, accommodation and transport while passengers wait.

“If you still need to get home, do not automatically accept a refund.

“Once you accept it, the airline’s rerouting and care obligations will normally end.

“Ask for the earliest reasonable alternative and, if another airline can get you back significantly sooner, ask to be transferred to that service.

“If you have to pay for reasonable essentials because the airline fails to provide them, keep every itemised receipt so you can seek reimbursement.”

This is supported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s current cancellation guidance which you can find here.



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EasyJet strike to hit FIVE European airports this summer with hundreds of flights at risk of cancellation

A MAJOR budget airline is facing travel chaos as staff promise to walk out THIS weekend.

EasyJet cabin crew in France are vowing to walk out due to rota arrangements and working conditions.

Aircraft from Air Portugal and easyJet lined up at Lisbon Airport.
EasyJet staff are set to walk out this weekend Credit: Alamy

A strike notice was issued for August 7 to September 2 which means staff can walk out at any time during that period.

However, 48 hours notice must be given.

And now the strike dates have been announced for August 15 and 16.

Airports facing disruptions include Lyon, Nice, Paris Orly, Bordeaux and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

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A spokesperson for ⁠easyJet told Sun Travel: “We are extremely disappointed that unions representing our France-based cabin crew have announced plans for industrial action on 15 and 16 August, outside any formal negotiation process and despite our offer of adjustments to tackle their concerns.

“Given we have planned negotiations in September, we call on the unions to call off this opportunistic action at this important time of the year for our customers.

“We are sorry for the impact the unnecessary action will have on our customers.

“We will do all we can to minimise disruption. Customers whose flights are affected will be informed directly and will be offered options including a free transfer or a refund.

Collage of travel items including a plane, sunscreen, passport, suitcase, and plane tickets, advertising The Sun's travel Instagram account.
EasyJet aircraft parked at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.
The strikes will take place across five French airports Credit: Alamy

“We advise customers travelling to or from France on 15 and 16 August to check the status of their flight via our Flight Tracker.”

In a statement from the group of unions said: “Any flight cancellations or disruptions resulting ​from these days of action will be solely attributable to easyJet, which has chosen not to give a ​serious response to the repeated warnings from ​trade unions over the past months.”

A previous strike notice was suspended due to wildfires in the Gironde region.

The unions said at the time: “For nearly a year, the unions have been warning easyJet management about the continuous deterioration of cabin crew working conditions: chronic schedule instability, last-minute changes, imposed trip patterns, particularly burdensome rotations, and a total lack of protective measures.”



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All flights cancelled and major European airport closed as eruption chaos hits SEVENTH day

A EUROPEAN airport has been forced to close for the third day in a row as a volcano eruption continues to disrupt thousands of passengers.

Flights at Catania Airport in Sicily, Italy, will now be suspended until at least early Saturday due to ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing volcanic eruption.

Catania Airport has had to close for a third day Credit: Reuters
This is due to Mount Etna volcano erupting Credit: Reuters

Over the course of this week hundreds of flights have been cancelled with further flights diverted to neighbouring airport Palermo.

The airport has been closed for three days now, with flights disrupted over the past seven days.

In the latest update on its website, the airport states: “Due to Mount Etna’s eruptive activity, the closure of Sector C1 and B3 has been extended, resulting in the suspension of departures and arrivals until 2:00 AM on August 15.

“Passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport.

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“Further updates will follow in the coming hours.”

Flights cancelled today include:

  • 10:50am easyJet service to Bristol Airport
  • 11:45am easyJet service to Edinburgh Airport
  • 12:15pm easyJet service to London Gatwick
  • 12:30pm BA Euroflyer service to London Gatwick

In total, nine flights to the UK are cancelled today as well as nine flights from the UK due to arrive at Catania.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled across this week resulting in people sleeping at the airport Credit: Reuters
Passengers already at the airport are being told there are no flights taking off Credit: Reuters
Desperate travellers are trying to find alternative routes home Credit: Reuters
Collage of travel items including a plane, sunscreen, passport, suitcase, and plane tickets, advertising The Sun's travel Instagram account.

Over the past days, more than 700 flights have been cancelled.

Families have also been left stranded at the airport, with videos on social media showing how some passengers have resorted to sleeping on luggage belts at the airport.

The impact has spread further than the Sicilian airport as well, with Malta International Airport forced to cancel 19 flights earlier this week too.

What does the disruption due to Mount Etna mean for passengers?

Anton Radchenko, air passenger rights expert and founder and CEO of AirAdvisor, explained what the disruption means for customers…

“When volcanic ash closes airspace, airlines will usually class it as an extraordinary circumstance, which means fixed cash compensation is unlikely.

“However, I would urge passengers not to confuse ‘no compensation’ with ‘no rights’.

“The airline must still offer a refund or rerouting and provide reasonable meals, accommodation and transport while passengers wait.

“If you still need to get home, do not automatically accept a refund.

“Once you accept it, the airline’s rerouting and care obligations will normally end.

“Ask for the earliest reasonable alternative and, if another airline can get you back significantly sooner, ask to be transferred to that service.

“If you have to pay for reasonable essentials because the airline fails to provide them, keep every itemised receipt so you can seek reimbursement.”

This is supported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s current cancellation guidance which you can find here.



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Major UK airport warns of travel disruption for NINE days

A REGIONAL UK airport has issued a warning for all travellers heading to the airport from this weekend.

The Metro at Newcastle Airport will close between August 15-23 for repair works.

Departures Terminal at Newcastle International Airport in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
The Metro will be closed at Newcastle Airport for over a week Credit: Alamy

No trains will run between the airport and South Gosforth across the week while repairs are carried out on the tracks, stations and cabling.

Trains will be cancelled from 5am on August 15 to 11:59pm on August 23.

During the nine-day disruption, there will be replacement bus services.

Travellers are being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for travelling.

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Trains will be running elsewhere on the line.

Travel North East states on its website: “Your journey will take longer, so please plan ahead and leave extra time for travelling.”

Newcastle Airport recently completed a major upgrade that including refurbishing the departures area by adding 450 new seats.

This was part of a larger project that will grow the airport from eight million passengers by 2035 and nine million by 2040.

Aerial view of Newcastle City Airport, Tyneside, North East England.
Travellers are being told to plan ahead Credit: Alamy

The project will include a three-storey airport extension with more restaurants.

There will also be two additional luggage carousels and 20 new plane stands by 2040.



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European airport forced to close for ANOTHER day with all flights cancelled and families ‘sleeping on the floor’

PASSENGERS face further disruption in Europe as an Italian airport remains closed following a volcanic eruption for yet ANOTHER day.

Catania Airport in Sicily has been forced to cancel hundreds of flights since the weekend due to Mount Etna erupting and will remain closed until at least tomorrow.

Catania Airport has cancelled hundreds of flights since the weekend due to Mount Etna erupting Credit: EPA
Other flights have been diverted to neighbouring airports Credit: Reuters

Over the past few days, 700 flights have been cancelled with others diverted to neighbouring airports including Palermo.

As a result of the disruption, families who have had their flights cancelled have been left stranded, with videos on social media showing travellers sleeping on the airport floor and even luggage belts.

In its latest statement, the airport said: “Due to Mount Etna’s eruptive activity, the closure of Sector B3 has been extended, resulting in the suspension of arrivals and departures until 2:00 AM on August 14.

“Passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport.

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“Further updates will follow in the coming hours.”

Evgenia Filimianova, 39, was caught up in the chaos after flew to Sicily last week from London to attend a friend’s wedding.

However, when she was due to fly to Athens from Catania earlier this week, her flight was cancelled just 30 minutes before it was due to depart.

Evgenia said: “We were having a very nice day in Taormina, at the wedding, enjoying our time there, but we could see the eruption and the volcano spewing lava.

Collage of travel items including a plane, sunscreen, passport, suitcase, and plane tickets, advertising The Sun's travel Instagram account.
Families have been left stranded with some travellers sleeping on the airport floor Credit: Alamy

“The locals seemed very chill and we didn’t get any emergency texts or direction from the people at the hotel, so we weren’t too worried.

“But then I started reading about travel. As soon as there is ash, the airports start closing.”

She added that there were loads of people “sleeping on the floor” when they arrived at the airport, with most other flights and buses already booked up.

Catania Airport isn’t the only spot impacted by the eruption either – Malta International Airport cancelled 19 flights earlier this week as well, with more delayed today.

What does the disruption due to Mount Etna mean for passengers?

Anton Radchenko, air passenger rights expert and founder and CEO of AirAdvisor, explained what the disruption means for customers…

“When volcanic ash closes airspace, airlines will usually class it as an extraordinary circumstance, which means fixed cash compensation is unlikely.

“However, I would urge passengers not to confuse ‘no compensation’ with ‘no rights’.

“The airline must still offer a refund or rerouting and provide reasonable meals, accommodation and transport while passengers wait.

“If you still need to get home, do not automatically accept a refund.

“Once you accept it, the airline’s rerouting and care obligations will normally end.

“Ask for the earliest reasonable alternative and, if another airline can get you back significantly sooner, ask to be transferred to that service.

“If you have to pay for reasonable essentials because the airline fails to provide them, keep every itemised receipt so you can seek reimbursement.”

This is supported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s current cancellation guidance which you can find here.



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Are trains running today? Latest updates on rail disruption after major delays due to power outage

TRAVELLERS are facing a second day of travel headaches after a power outage brought train services across the North West and Midlands to a halt.

If you’re heading out on the rail network today (August 7), you might be wondering if your train is actually going to turn up.

Greater Anglia train at Liverpool Street railway station.
Rail bosses have reassured the public that the worst of the chaos is over Credit: Getty
Departure boards showing delayed and cancelled flights and trains at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The vast majority of trains are running today, but don’t assume your journey will be completely smooth sailing Credit: PA

While rail bosses have reassured the public that the worst of the chaos is over, there is still a hangover of delays and cancellations to navigate today.

Here is a guide to what you need to know about the current situation, ticket acceptance, and what went wrong to cause such widespread disruption.

What caused the chaos?

The delays stem from a power cut that happened at 1.40pm on Thursday afternoon.

According to SP Electricity North West, an “incident on our high voltage cable” in Harpurhey, north-east of Manchester city centre, caused a power outage that affected around 5,000 customers.

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While the electricity provider said that power was restored within 90 seconds, that brief window was enough to trigger severe rail chaos.

The outage hit more than 400 Manchester postcodes, including the Manchester Rail Operating Centre, which acts as the main control hub for the entirety of north-west England’s railways.

Network Rail also said that their backup power generators failed to activate immediately when the main grid went down.

The failure resulted in railway signals automatically switching to red for safety, bringing trains to a standstill and sparking widespread cancellations.

Network Rail has confirmed it has now launched an official investigation into why the backup system failed to kick in.

Are trains running today?

The vast majority of trains are running today (August 7), and Network Rail has confirmed that “most operators are running a full service” after signalling systems were restored on Thursday night.

Engineers then worked through the early hours of the morning to get displaced trains back to their correct depots before the start of today’s service.

But don’t assume your journey will be completely smooth sailing just yet.

Because trains and rail crews ended up in the wrong places yesterday afternoon, it may take some time for the complex daily timetable to get back into sync.

Network Rail notes that some disruption remains as “trains and crew return to their normal positions”.

According to National Rail, this residual disruption is expected to continue until at least midday today.

Can I use my train ticket on other services?

If your train is delayed or cancelled, you won’t be left completely stranded.

Various ticket restrictions have been eased by operators to help get passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible.

If you’re travelling in and around Greater Manchester, your train tickets are currently being accepted on alternative local transport.

You can use your rail ticket to hop on Bee Network buses and Metrolink trams at no extra cost to complete your journey.

Both Northern and TransPennine Express have temporarily lifted Advance Purchase and Peak restrictions, meaning anyone holding an Advance ticket today can board any available service along their booked route without having to pay an extra fee.

Operators are also accepting each other’s tickets across shared routes.

Passengers affected by cancellations can use their tickets on Northern, TransPennine Express, LNER, and East Midlands Railway trains running in the same direction.

TransPennine Express tickets are also being accepted on CrossCountry services across key eastern routes, including between Sheffield, York, and Newcastle.

Chris Wright, Network Rail’s North West route director, praised passengers for their patience following the disruption.

He said: “While some passengers may still experience disruption, we’re continuing to work closely with train operators to return services to normal as quickly as possible.

“Anyone planning to travel this morning should continue to check before they travel for the latest information.”

If you’re travelling today, use the National Rail Status and Disruptions website, or check directly with your train operator before you leave the house.

How can I get a refund?

If your travel was derailed on Thursday, you won’t lose out either.

Tickets dated for yesterday are being honoured for travel throughout today at no extra charge.

But if your plans were thrown fully into disarray by the disruption, you may be entitled to cash back.

If your train was delayed or cancelled and you chose not to travel at all, you are entitled to a full refund with no administration fee.

You will need to apply for this directly from the retailer where you bought the ticket, such as Trainline, TrainPal, or the station box office.

If you completed your journey but arrived late, you can claim compensation through the national Delay Repay scheme.

In this scenario, you must claim directly from the train operating company that ran the delayed service, rather than the ticket seller.

Claims can usually be submitted online by uploading a photo of your ticket, though paper forms are also available from station staff.

How much you receive depends on the length of the delay to your destination, rather than what time your train departed.

If you need to double-check exact arrival times to support your claim, you can look up your route on tracking websites like recenttraintimes.co.uk.

Season ticket holders are also covered and will receive a proportional refund based on the cost of their pass and the duration of the delay.

Make sure to log your claim as soon as possible, as most train companies enforce a 28-day deadline from the date of travel.

If your claim is initially turned down and you believe you’re still owed compensation, you have up to one month to submit an appeal directly to the train operator for further review.

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Travel warning after common item causes plane to divert due to ‘smoke in the cabin’

A white Swiss Airbus A220-300 airplane with red "SWISS" lettering on its side and registration HB-JCQ, approaches for landing with its landing gear extended, against a blue sky with white clouds.

TRAVELLERS are being warned about taking a popular everyday item on board flights.

Earlier this week, a Swiss International Air Lines flight was diverted to Bangor in Maine, America, due to smoke in the cabin.

Melted blue headphone charging case with an attached USB cable.
A plane was forced to divert earlier this week when a headphone charging case overheated Credit: Swiss International Air Lines

The smoke came from a damaged headphone charging case, which had fallen between the seats and become stuck, causing it to overheat.

The plane had come from Zurich in Switzerland and was heading for JFK Airport in New York.

According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) incidents involving lithium batteries – which are found in headphone charging cases, as well as power banks – are on the rise.

Any items with lithium batteries have to go in hand luggage.

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These include:

  • Power banks
  • Vapes
  • Bluetooth speakers
  • Electric fans
  • Fitness and smartwatches
  • Digital cameras
  • Wireless headphones & charging cases
  • Tablets
  • E-readers
  • Laptops

The CAA has warned that if any of these cause an issue during a flight, such as overheating or starting to smoke, you should notify a member of the cabin crew as quickly as possible.

If these items aren’t packed correctly, such as in your hold luggage and not your hand luggage, there could be flight delays or cancellations as a result.

A white Swiss Airbus A220-300 airplane with red "SWISS" lettering on its side and registration HB-JCQ, approaches for landing with its landing gear extended, against a blue sky with white clouds.
Headphone charging cases contain lithium batteries, which are increasingly causing issues on flights Credit: Getty

Back in May, an easyJet flight had to divert when a passenger informed crew during the flight that the portable charger was in the hold of the aircraft.

The flight was then forced to land in Rome, Italy, instead of reaching its destination, London Luton.

The CAA previously commented: “Passenger awareness remains low – over a third (36 per cent) of travellers are unaware of the dangers of packing batteries in checked baggage, even though 92 per cent fly with a mobile phone, 55 per cent with a laptop and 49 per cent with a power bank – suggesting hundreds of batteries could be incorrectly packed on a typical flight.”

According to the CAA, there are around two lithium battery incidents every week – and often, these incidents cause delays as well as diversions.



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Spanish airport to CLOSE for six days to repair runway with all flights cancelled

A SPANISH airport will close for nearly a week as part of a major renovation.

Almeria Airport in Spain is set to shut down for six days to upgrade its runway.

Terminal entrance to Almeria airport in Andalusia, Southern Spain.
Almeria airport is set to close in 2028 Credit: Alamy

The closure is set to take place in February 2028, with all scheduled flights cancelled.

This is part of a longer 19-month €29million (£24.8million) project to upgrade the entire airport.

However, during this period there will be work at night between 10:45pm and 7:10am the following day.

Between these hours, flights will be impacted as well.

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Aena – Spain‘s airports operator – has already notified airlines that operate at the airport, including Ryanair, easyJet and Iberia.

The airlines will now have to reschedule flights or divert the routes to other airports.

Flights from Almeria Airport to the UK, including to Birmingham, London Southend, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol and Leeds Bradford.

The revamp will mark the first work on the runway in 20 years.

The control tower at Almeria International Airport in Andalusia, Spain.
The closure is part of a longer 19-month project Credit: Alamy
Collage of travel items including a plane, sunscreen, passport, suitcase, and plane tickets, advertising The Sun's travel Instagram account.

Other parts of the project included improving the taxiways, as well as upgrading over 600 lights and replacing 34 directional signs.

The airport is around a 15-minute drive from Almeria city centre in the Andalusia region of Spain.

Each year, the airport handles up to 800,000 passengers.

Of which, Brits make up between 55 and 70 per cent of travellers.



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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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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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Five major airlines scrap free seat reservations for passengers on long-haul flights

Economy class seating inside a Lufthansa Airbus A380-800 airplane, with rows of empty blue and gray seats, each with a small yellow Lufthansa logo on the headrest, extending back into the cabin.

A NUMBER of airlines have changed their seat allocation rules – and it means you’ll have to shell out more cash.

The Lufthansa Group, which owns Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Discover Airlines, has announced a change to the way seats are handed out.

Economy class seating inside a Lufthansa Airbus A380-800 airplane, with rows of empty blue and gray seats, each with a small yellow Lufthansa logo on the headrest, extending back into the cabin.
Lufthansa Group which owns Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Discover Airlines, has changed how seats are allocated Credit: EPA

Passengers will still be allocated a seat at check-in, but if they want to change it, they will now need to pay.

The change applies to the airlines’ long-haul flights across Economy and Premium economy.

Before this change, travellers who hadn’t booked a seat in advance would be given a standard seat at check-in, which they could then change free of charge if they wanted to.

The rules are already in place on some short and medium-haul flights, but now extend to lots of long-haul Economy and Premium Economy tickets.

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Prices to swap your seat will depend on a number of different factors including your flight route and departure point.

As an example, according to Travel Mole, swapping your standard Economy seat on many intercontinental routes with Austrian, Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa could set you back between €25 (£21.36) and €45 (£38.46).

Lufthansa Group has said that it will try to keep families together though, where possible.

The airline group has said the change has been introduced to make fares “more transparent”, so travellers only pay for the services they want.

Economy class seating inside a Lufthansa Airbus A380-800 airplane, with rows of empty blue and gray seats, each with a small yellow Lufthansa logo on the headrest, extending back into the cabin.
If passengers are not happy with their allocated seat, they will now have to pay to change it Credit: Alamy

The new rules came into effect on July 1 and the seat allocation process and any wanted changes take place at check-in.

A number of people have taken to Reddit to share their outrage for the new rule.

One person commented: “Why are they so busy trying to compete with Ryanair.”

Another added: “Next they will charge us if we think about our seat.”



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