Ireland’s ultra-low-cost airline and Europe’s largest by traffic
Baggage problems linked to Birmingham and Bristol baggage systems have disrupted holiday travel. Passengers report missing suitcases, delayed reunions with belongings, and ongoing reimbursements inquiries as airlines and airports work to reunite luggage and restore normal service.
The European Union has rolled out its biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) to 29 Schengen countries, replacing passport stamping with biometric registration. The rollout has caused long queues and disrupted travel, prompting calls to pause or extend derogations. UK and EU officials are negotiating contingency measures as passengers report delays and some flights and ferries are missed.
Airlines face higher jet fuel costs amid the Iran war, with easyJet warning summer bookings are behind last year while Ryanair and Heathrow report mixed demand. Airlines hedge fuel and adjust fares, while passengers shift to later bookings and longer rail trips.
Airlines have adjusted summer schedules and are temporarily suspending select routes in August–September because jet fuel costs have surged since the Iran conflict closed key shipping lanes. Carriers including American, easyJet and others have reduced seats, delayed route launches or paused services; travelers are being offered refunds or rebooking and face higher fares and fees.
Officials are developing a government scheme that would let carriers share information on unruly and intoxicated passengers. Airlines would be alerted if a previously banned or disruptive traveller checks in for a future flight, enabling carriage refusals and tighter enforcement. The plan aims to close loopholes in data sharing that currently allow a passenger to fly with another airline.
Lebanon has begun rehabilitation on a second airport in Akkar with aims to be operational in weeks and full service by November 2026. Officials say the project will create jobs in a poor province; the airport could host flights to Mersin, Istanbul and Dubai, with plans for further destinations.
Airlines face higher fuel bills as Middle East tensions push jet fuel prices up. IATA forecasts profits will halve in 2026 while fares rise to cover costs; some carriers warn of tougher times ahead as demand stays resilient.
The rich are trimming in-flight luxuries and adopting simpler cabins to cut costs and avoid conspicuous consumption. Aviation insiders say owners are streamlining crew and services while private-charter markets push for speed and efficiency. In contrast, critics note enduring excess among some peers.
Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National and Dulles International face intermittent flight suspensions during America 250 events, with the MWAA warning that airspace closures could affect schedules through late summer. Travelers are urged to monitor updates and contact airlines for changes.
Britain’s CMA is investigating Ryanair’s mandatory family-seat fee, assessed at around £8 per flight, to seat parents with children aged 2-11, amid concerns it may be unfair under consumer law and could involve drip pricing. Ryanair defends the policy as compliant and cost-saving for families.
Ocado is facing questions over Tim Steiner’s pay and potential succession amid a slide in its share price to below its 2010 flotation level. The board is considering replacements as shareholders voice concerns over pay proportionality and performance.
Ryanair has adjusted its family seating policy following an CMA investigation. Adults travelling with children will no longer be charged to sit with their kids; free parent seats will be allocated at the back of the aircraft. The CMA continues to assess compliance, while Which? Travel welcomes the move as a step toward fairer treatment.
MAG has reported growth in passenger numbers for the year to 31 March, with Manchester Airport leading gains. Profits have risen as revenues climb, despite geopolitical tensions. Heathrow warns of softer demand amid the Iran-US war.
A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen has returned to Thessaloniki after a passenger window dislodged in flight. A 61-year-old Serbian man has friction burns and is being treated in hospital. Passengers were transported on a replacement aircraft to Germany.
Readers are confronted with firsthand accounts of travel mishaps from the Independent and The Guardian, detailing family trips that spiral from ordinary to chaotic, and a New York City escape that turns into a hospital odyssey.
A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen has returned to its origin after a window dislodged in flight, causing rapid decompression. A 61-year-old Serbian passenger remains in hospital with burns and neck injuries. Investigations are under way by Greek authorities, with international agencies also involved.
Flights from Gatwick were diverted after a late-night technical fault prompted a temporary runway closure. Several planes landed safely at alternate airports, with passengers facing delays and disrupted onward travel; authorities emphasise safety as the priority.
Ryanair has reported a 34% drop in after-tax profits for the April–June quarter, with earnings squeezed by surging jet-fuel prices and a 6% fall in fares. Passenger numbers rose modestly as the airline cut prices to spur demand, while management warns that results will remain highly sensitive to external shocks like Middle East conflict and fuel costs.
A Ryanair-operated Boeing 737-800 has suffered a window blowout and cabin decompression during a Thessaloniki–Memmingen flight. The plane has returned safely to Thessaloniki, with one passenger receiving medical care. The NTSB has taken charge of the probe, with Greece participating, while Ryanair defends its safety record.
The Pan Am Clipper Endeavor has been located deep in the Atlantic. Investigators say the 1952 disaster prompted preflight safety briefings and flotation equipment requirements. The 69 people aboard survived the initial ditching, but 52 died in the water. Modern exploration partners are highlighting how the find reinforces aviation-safety progress and memory for families.
EasyJet has reported a sharp drop in pre-tax profits for the quarter, hit by a surge in jet-fuel costs following the Middle East conflict. The group says bookings remain volatile and its takeover battle in the background continues to unfold as two US private equity firms vie for ownership.
JetBlue has overhauled its pricing, introducing a Base fare alongside Standard and Flex options across Main, Even More and BlueFirst cabins. Mint remains excluded from Base. The move follows rivals United and Delta in unbundling premium travel, offering cheaper options while preserving some benefits. The change aims to give travelers more choice but may see additional charges for previously included services.
The FAA has issued a final airworthiness directive requiring visual inspections of a forward "bear strap" and fuselage skin on certain Boeing 737 Max models. The rule, effective Sept. 10, covers about 471 U.S.-registered Max jets and mirrors inspections already mandated for older Next-Generation 737s after reports of cracks in that part.
A series of projects linking public greenspaces with community welfare are expanding across Britain and Europe. From Care Not Capital in the UK to Polish social forests and Tshwane’s climate-adaptive spaces, officials and organizers say investing in greenery is boosting biodiversity, health and resilience while underscoring funding fragilities for maintenance.
Jetstar has introduced a size-based carry-on policy, charging for overhead locker space from February 2027. Each booking includes one small item; larger bags incur fees between AUD 25 and AUD 52 depending on route. The change aims to streamline boarding and reduce delays, with mixed reactions from travellers and analysts.
Wizz Air has posted an operating loss of 183 million euros for April–June, reversing a year-earlier profit as jet-fuel prices surge with Brent crude above $120. The carrier says market prices are up about 87% and is reallocating capacity from Middle East routes to Europe while expanding passenger traffic to 21.2 million.