winter

Airports in major cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol are affected

Jet2 has announced the launch of a brand-new range of travel options for Brits seeking some winter warmth. The 2027/28 Winter Sun programme will be the largest ever offered by the leisure airline and tour operator.

It will see nearly 4.5million seats go on sale for the winter, flying to 17 destinations from airports including Belfast International, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool John Lennon, London Gatwick, London Stansted, London Luton, Manchester and Newcastle International.

The programme encompasses 181 routes, covering the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Palma, Mainland Spain (Alicante, Malaga), Balearics (Majorca), Portugal (Faro and Madeira), Turkey (Antalya), Malta, Morocco (Marrakech and Agadir), Cyprus (Paphos), and Egypt (Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada).

Jet2 says it is the first airline and tour operator to go on sale for the winter of 2027/28. In the coming weeks, the airline and tour operator will also unveil details of its Ski, City Breaks and Iceland programmes for Winter 27/28.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, said: “Our winter sun programme for 2027/28 is on sale nice and early, and we are very pleased to be giving customers and independent travel agents fantastic choice and flexibility.

“The launch of our biggest ever winter sun programme gives customers from across all 14 of our UK airport bases huge choice. We have designed the programme in direct response to demand, so as well as offering 4.5 million seats, this will be our first year of full winter season operations to Egypt. We are not done yet, with even more exciting announcements about our Winter 27/28 programme coming soon.”

Key Winter Sun highlights by base for Winter 27/28 include:

Belfast International Airport

• Over 155,000 seats for winter 27/28

• 22 flights per week during peak period

• Eight winter sun destinations on sale:

• Alicante, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Malaga, Tenerife

Birmingham Airport

• 540,000 seats for winter 27/28
• 66 flights per week during peak period
• 16 winter sun destinations on sale:

• Alicante, Antalya, Agadir, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Hurghada, Lanzarote, Madeira, Majorca, Malaga, Malta, Marrakech, Paphos, Sharm el-Sheik, Tenerife

Bournemouth Airport

• 11 flights per week during peak period
• Eight winter sun destinations on sale:

• Alicante, Antalya, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife

• Agadir and Madeira– exclusive routes to Jet2

Bristol Airport

• 210,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 34 flights per week during peak period
• 12 winter sun destinations on sale:

• Alicante, Antalya, Agadir, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Hurghada, Lanzarote, Madeira, Majorca, Malta, Paphos, Tenerife

Edinburgh Airport

• Over 300,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 40 flights per week during peak period
• 13 winter sun destinations on sale: Alicante, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madeira, Majorca, Malaga, Malta, Paphos, Sharm el-Sheikh, Tenerife

East Midlands Airport

• Over 340,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 49 flights per week during peak period
• 15 winter sun destinations on sale: Alicante, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Hurghada, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malaga, Malta, Paphos, Sharm el-Sheikh, Tenerife

• Agadir and Madeira– exclusive routes to Jet2

Glasgow International Airport

• Over 350,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 47 flights per week during peak period
• 15 winter sun destinations on sale: Alicante, Agadir, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Hurghada, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malta, Malaga, Marrakech, Paphos, Tenerife Madeira – exclusive route to Jet2

Leeds Bradford Airport

• Over 400,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 59 flights per week during peak period
• 16 winter sun destinations on sale: Alicante, Agadir, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malaga, Tenerife Gran Canaria, Hurghada, Madeira, Malta, Marrakech, Paphos, Sharm El-Sheikh – exclusive routes to Jet2

London Gatwick Airport

• Almost 320,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 38 flights per week during peak period
• 14 winter sun destinations on sale: Alicante, Agadir, Antalya, Faro, Madeira, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Hurghada, Lanzarote, Malaga, Malta, Paphos, Sharm el-Sheikh, Tenerife

Liverpool John Lennon Airport

• Over 165,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 28 flights per week during peak period
• 10 winter sun destinations on sale: Alicante, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malaga, Tenerife Madeira– exclusive route to Jet2

London Luton Airport

• Over 130,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 17 flights per week during peak period
• Eight winter sun destinations on sale: Alicante, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madeira, Tenerife

Manchester Airport

• Over 700,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 84 flights per week during peak period
• 17 winter sun destinations on sale: Alicante, Agadir, Antalya, Faro, Madeira, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Hurghada, La Palma, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malaga, Malta, Marrakech, Paphos, Sharm el-Sheikh, Tenerife

Newcastle International Airport

• Over 320,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 50 flights per week during peak period
• 12 winter sun destinations on sale:

• Alicante, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malaga, Malta, Paphos, Tenerife

• Madeira– exclusive route to Jet2

London Stansted Airport

• Over 430,000 seats on sale for winter 27/28
• 60 flights per week during peak period
• 17 winter sun destinations on sale: Alicante, Agadir, Antalya, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madeira, Majorca, Malaga, Malta, Marrakech, Paphos, Sharm el-Sheikh, Tenerife La Palma and Hurghada – exclusive routes to Jet2

TENS of thousands of flights face being cancelled this winter as fears continue to grow over the high cost of jet fuel.

Airlines have already been forced to scrap thousands of flights in recent months since the Iran war broke out.

However, experts have warned that unless costs go down, cancellations could now affect winter schedules.

Italy‘s ITA chief executive Joerg Eberhart said they could be forced to cut as may as a fifth of flights from October to April, he told the FT.

Turkish Airlines echoed this, saying they could be forced to make “frequency cuts of even stop destinations” after summer if it continues.

Others have warned that is puts added pressure on airlines to fill planes, which is often not the case during the quieter winter season.

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Most UK airlines have said that they don’t see any immediate threats to upcoming flights, as many have ‘hedged’ fuel costs, which is paying a set price for a period of time.

However, Ryanair has warned that budget airlines face the biggest struggle, due to the low margins.

The budget carrier’s boss Michael O’Leary previously warned: “If pricing stays higher for longer this summer, we think a number of our airline competitors in Europe are going to face real financial difficulties. I think there will be failures.”

Spirit Airlines has already been a victim of the ongoing fuel crisis, having gone into administration last month.

And while UK flights might not be cancelled, the cost of flights is expected to only go up.

International Airlines Group (IAG), which also owns Iberia and Aer Lingus, said it will likely pass on extra costs to cover the additional £1.72billion costs of its fuel this year.

And Virgin Atlantic has added a new fuel surcharge, ranging from £50 to £360.

Experts have said costs could continue to go up, due to the UK’s reliance on US jet fuel.

This is because US suppliers could divert their fuel inwards due to it being the busy American holiday season, particularly for “driving season” (when domestic holidays boom).

S&P Global’s research director for fuels Eleanor Budds told Telegraph: “Prices could rise again. The UK is replacing a good part of its imports. If the US can’t keep up those volumes, [the UK] is very exposed”.

Snowboarding made its Winter Olympics debut in Nagano 1998 with halfpipe and giant slalom.

Riders competed against the clock before the head-to-head parallel giant slalom version on identical, side-by-side courses was introduced four years later in Salt Lake City.

Three-time Winter Olympian Alex Payer said: “PGS is one of the only formats where everything is truly equal – same course, same conditions, same start, same chance. That fairness is rare in sport.

“If you take it out of the Olympic programme, you take away one of the purest expressions of competition we have.”

Among the sports bidding to replace them in the programme for the Games, which are scheduled for 1-17 February 2030, are freeriding and ice climbing.

Freeriding allows skiers and snowboarders to choose their own off-piste course from top to bottom and also perform tricks as they descend.

They are judged on elements of their descent including the difficulty of the course, jumps and performance.

In ice climbing, competitors climb up a frozen waterfall or glaciers with a speed version favourite for inclusion.

There had been speculation that cyclo-cross would be also be aiming for inclusion but last month IOC president Kirsty Coventry said that “no summer sports and no seasonal crossover events” would be part of the programme.

IF YOU’RE looking for your next holiday spot, one sunny destination should be at the top of your list.

From November 2, TUI is launching holidays between a major UK city and one of the best-value winter sun spots.

Weekly flights between Birmingham and Banjul, The Gambia, will fly on Mondays – with the journey only taking six hours.

Between November and April, temperatures usually hit 30C in The Gambia and to make the most of it, you can explore the country’s golden beaches and warm seas.

Dubbed the ‘Smiling Coast of Africa’, visitors can head off on a boat cruise to spot wildlife and mangroves, along The Gambia River, which runs through the country.

And if you want to see more wildlife, then you can visit the Kachikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau or explore Abuko Nature Reserve which spans around 260 acres just south of Banjul and is home to more crocodiles as well as monkeys.

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For history lovers, there’s Kunta Kinteh Island – a UNESCO World Heritage site that used to be a former slave-trading post.

TUI’s Linda Sharrocks, recently visited The Gambia and said: “I chose The Gambia for winter sun without having to fly as far as the Caribbean or Thailand, and it completely delivered.

“You’ve got guaranteed sunshine, beautiful sandy beaches and some of the friendliest, happiest people I’ve ever met.”

She added: “Kololi Beach was a highlight for me – it’s quieter but still close to everything.”

Other popular beaches include Kotu Beach, which is known for being a family-friendly spot with gentle waves and Sanyang Beach – which is also known as Paradise Beach – with a number of beach bars and local fishing boast bobbing in the water.

Linda also revealed that The Gambia is cheap when there, with a meal and drink costing just a few quid.

“There are loads of amazing restaurants and bars to try like Scala and Ginger for food, and Mkais for a drink and live music,” she shared.

“I loved visiting the local markets and just soaking up the laid-back atmosphere.

“My biggest tip is to get out and explore the local restaurants and bars, that’s where you really get a feel for the place.”

Holiday packages with TUI to The Gambia start from £800 per person and include flights, accommodation, transfers, luggage and all-inclusive food and drink.

Chris Logan, Commercial Director at TUI UK, said: “We know Brits are looking for winter sun that delivers great value without the long flight times, and destinations like The Gambia are seeing real growth as a result.”

Matt Hazelwood, Chief Commercial Officer at Birmingham Airport said: “We are delighted to welcome The Gambia back to our list of direct destinations with TUI.

“This popular winter sun getaway is easily accessible from Birmingham Airport, offering beautiful sandy beaches, stunning scenery, and nature reserves rich in Gambian wildlife, all just a six-hour flight from BHX.”

Don’t worry if you aren’t close to Birmingham though, as TUI also has flights to The Gambia from London Gatwick and Manchester airports.

BRITS could soon be able to fly to a destination in Africa with winter highs of 30C, beautiful beaches and beers for 71p.

Air Tanzania has revealed it’s planning to launch direct flights, for the very first time, between the UK and Tanzania next year.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

The airline’s CEO Peter Ulanga announced the flights will operate from London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro International Airport and wants to start the route from July 2027.

Talking to Africa Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA), Peter Ulanga said there be a ‘minimum’ of three flights a week to Tanzania.

Not only that, but he also said they want to run flights to its well-known archipelago as well.

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He added: “We will also run direct flights to Zanzibar, expanding the tourism potential of that destination from the UK, too.”

Currently there are no direct routes to Tanzania or Zanzibar – and historically there haven’t been any from the UK.

Airlines from the UK currently have to stopover at the likes of Nairobi to get there.

The new route would make travel for Brits much easier and reduce flight time that is currently between 11 and 15 hours.

The most popular part of Tanzania for Brits is Zanzibar which lies just of the coast, thanks to its white-sand beaches, winter highs of 30C and pretty resorts.

Despite its luxury feel, Zanzibar is cheap too with meals costing around £3.54 and beer can be from 99p.

Zanzibar has an incredible coastline, some of the best beaches include Nakupenda, Nungwi and Paje which have powder-like sand and are lined with palm trees.

One Sun Writer who visited enjoyed snorkelling, exploring Zanzibar’s capital, Stone Town, and taking a boat trip to Prison Island to see the giant tortoise sanctuary.

Even better news for Brits is that there’s barely any jet lag either as Zanzibar is just two hours ahead of the UK.

One of TUI’s resorts there called Riu Palace Zanzibar can be booked from £2,000pp which is a seven-night, all-inclusive stay including flights.

It has bright and airy rooms, five bars, four restaurants, three swimming pools and a gym.

Zanzibar is getting even more TUI hotels too – last year, it announced it would be expanding across destinations in Africa, including Tanzania.

JAZ Amaluna, an adults-only, five-star resort on the east coast at Uroa Beach, is set to open this year.

TUI described it as having a ‘village vibe’ with tropical gardens, authentic Africa decor and two swimming pools.

Meanwhile on the mainland, Tanzania’s capital is Dodoma and the country as a whole is known for being especially cheap.

According to Wise, Tanzania is even cheaper than Zanzibar with meals start from £1.99, coffee from £1.46, and beer as little as 71p.

Aside from its affordability, lots of the country’s appeal lies in its national parks.

Right next to the airport is Mount Kilimanjaro National Park which is where you’ll find the tallest mountain in Africa.

Tanzania is also home to the Serengeti National Park and a popular activity is to book a safari tour to see the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras.

EASYJET is adding a host of new routes from six airports to beautiful cities and sun-filled islands.

Holiday goers can travel via nine new stops from autumn time from Luton, Belfast, Birmingham, Southampton and Easyjet’s new base in Newcastle.

Package holidays will be introduced on the services include:

• Birmingham to Agadir
• Belfast International to Rome
• Belfast International to Sharm El Sheikh
• Luton to Ljubljana
• Southend to Budapest
• Newcastle to Fuerteventura
• Newcastle to Reykjavik
• Newcastle to Krakow
• Southampton to Paris.

Flights going from Newcastle to Fuerteventura will start on October 25, and operate twice a week – on Thursdays and Sundays.

On the same day, new routes from Southampton to Paris Charles de Gaulle start twice a week.

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The following day, services to Krakow will begin with departures on Mondays and Fridays every week.

On October 25 and 26, travellers can go from Belfast International Airport to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on Wednesdays and Sundays, as well as to Rome on Mondays and Fridays.

Anyone wanting to visit Reykjavik, Iceland, can travel from Newcastle from October 27 twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Easyjet’s Luton-Ljubljana flights start on October 26 three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The same day, the Southend-Budapest route also starts twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.

In an exciting update for Birmingham, the route to coastal city Agadir, in Morocco, will start on October 27. They will depart twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The new flights, which include fares of £23.99, have significantly expanded the airline’s network from the north of England, and enabled more direct services to popular leisure and city destinations.

The airline’s UK country manager, Kevin Doyle, said: “Whether they’re looking for winter sun, or a weekend away in some of Europe’s most iconic capitals, this new batch of routes further expands the range of exciting destinations available for our customers to choose from at affordable prices.”