Edinburgh passengers left 'stressed' as Ryanair cancels 170 flights
Edinburgh passengers have been left 'stressing' after Ryanair flights were cancelled due to strikes.
The announcement was made on Thursday morning that the airline would be forced to cancel 170 journeys, just as summer holidays begin. More than 30,000 passengers are understood to be facing disruption.
This comes after nationwide air traffic controller strikes in France, that began on July 3. Three Ryanair flights from Edinburgh on Thursday have been axed, affecting locals.
One woman from Newton Mearns, was due to fly out with Ryanair to France to work at a summer school for a month. However, her flight to Biarritz was cancelled this morning, delaying the start of her trip.
She told Glasgow Live: "I found out my flight was cancelled on Wednesday afternoon. I couldn't believe it. I've been so looking forward to going and it's the stress of getting another flight sorted out.
"This morning, I've been looking for alternative flights. So now, I'm flying out on Saturday to Bergerac and then I have to get two trains to my final destination.
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"Ryanair let me change my flight for free, but if I hadn't, I wouldn't have got a refund. They could only put money back on my Ryanair wallet.
"It's been quite an inconvenience. The journey was going to be so smooth and now there will be a lot of changing around."
According to Edinburgh Airport's departure page, the 2.05pm flight to Paris Beauvais and the 7.05pm flight to Toulouse have also been cancelled. The Mirror reported how France's air traffic control union announced its workers would strike on July 3 and 4 over issues surrounding understaffing, burnout and employees being overworked.
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The French Civil Aviation Agency DGAC requested several airlines yesterday to cut the number of flights at airports in Paris by 40 per cent during the industrial action. Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, called for the president of the European Commission to change the EU's air traffic controllers' services.
He said: "Once again European families are held to ransom by French Air Traffic Controllers going on strike.
"It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays."
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The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh Airport chief on flights and big Glasgow question
As part of The Herald's major Edinburgh series, I travelled through again to speak to Mr Dewar. The front-page splash I wrote focused on Mr Dewar's assessment of the growing and very large economic contribution of the airport, and covered many other things. Mr Dewar estimated Edinburgh Airport's annual contribution to the economy will have risen to at least £1.6 billion, as he anticipated further growth at the airport and another record year for passenger numbers. He also highlighted the importance of the jobs provided by the airport and other employers on the 'campus', in the exclusive interview. Mr Dewar observed this employment totals nearly 8,000. This includes around 1,000 people employed directly by the airport. He declared: 'It is obvious that airports are profoundly important for local economies, particularly island economies such as ours. I am a geographer by background. I am a transport operator my whole career.' Mr Dewar also underlined the attractiveness of Edinburgh as a destination for overseas visitors. And he flagged the lift which Edinburgh Airport provided to the tourism sector, and vice-versa. He said of Edinburgh: 'It is an iconic destination, in its own right: the castle, whether you are into Harry Potter, whether you have Scottish connections or not, it is one of those iconic cities, the Festival. 'Landing in Scotland and seeing the rest of the country is seen as very accessible.' Mr Dewar highlighted his confidence that Edinburgh Airport would handle more than 16 million passengers this year, setting another all-time high to exceed the record of 15.78 million it achieved in 2024. In 2012, the year in which he returned to the airport to take up his current role, the passenger total was 9.19 million. Read more Mr Dewar highlighted the strong growth enjoyed by Edinburgh Airport. He said: 'We were already one of the fastest-growing airports in Europe pre-Covid. We were then one of the fastest-recovering airports in Europe post-Covid. There are many airports haven't got back to 2019 levels yet. We are way ahead of that.' In terms of growth among European airports, Mr Dewar added: 'We might not always be best all the time but we are going to be in the upper quartile for the foreseeable future…within Europe.' Edinburgh Airport was estimated in a 2020 report by Biggar Economics to have contributed £1.4bn to the economy on the gross value added (GVA) measure in 2019 – a year in which it exceeded 14 million passengers. Noting the economic contribution amounted to around £100 per passenger, Mr Dewar said of the current position: 'We should be up to £1.6bn of GVA or a bit higher, if my rule of thumb works.' He said: 'You can sort of do the maths. That ratio won't have changed much. The reason I say that with much confidence [is] the only thing that would change that would be if there was a substantial mix change.' Highlighting improvements in the mix of passenger traffic from an economic contribution perspective, Mr Dewar added: 'The ratio of international [traffic] we have is higher. All the growth is international. We have increased our proportion of inbound. The American routes – they tend to be stronger inbound demand than other…routes.' He flagged the various components of the economic contribution of Edinburgh Airport – which has been majority-owned by Paris-based VINCI Airports since last year – as well as the fact that the benefits flow well beyond the city. Mr Dewar said: 'Obviously, there is a direct spend [with] tourism, a direct economic contribution, essentially an export market.' He also highlighted people using the airport to travel to universities and the importance of connectivity for 'people doing business and selling goods or selling services'. Read more While observing the economic contribution was 'focused in the central belt and around Edinburgh', he highlighted the fact that the benefits of tourism through the airport were felt 'on Skye, in the Outer Hebrides, in the Borders and so on'. Flagging the airport's provision of some services not available elsewhere, he said: 'We are called Edinburgh Airport but we are Scotland's airport.' In a column for The Herald on June 13, I reflected on what Mr Dewar had said during the interview about Glasgow Airport and its investment and expansion plans. AviAlliance, the wholly owned airports platform of one of Canada's largest pension investors and the new owner of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports owner AGS Airports, earlier this year brought in Kam Jandu as AGS chief executive. Mr Jandu in late April unveiled plans for major investment at Glasgow Airport, including a 'comprehensive transformation' of the main terminal building. He described the prospects of winning direct flights to North America as 'good' and highlighted talks with US airlines. And Mr Jandu, who noted when I spoke to him in late April that he knew Mr Dewar, underlined his plans to build passenger numbers at Glasgow Airport. These include attracting people living within this airport's natural catchment area to fly from Glasgow rather than Edinburgh. My column observed that Mr Dewar, when I asked him if he had any view on Glasgow Airport's major investment and its talk about regaining traffic from its natural catchment area, seemed a little less combative in tone about the degree of competition with his rival than when I spoke with him in February. He said in the most recent interview: 'I guess they are articulating their objectives and what they would like to do, and good luck with it. 'I am not overly perturbed by their announcement. I can understand why they have these aspirations.' That said, he did add: 'At the end of the day, we don't talk about these things. We just do them.' Mr Dewar, when I spoke with him, highlighted China and India, and other Asian markets, as key targets for new routes. Asked about new routes, taking into account how demand from travellers was developing, Mr Dewar said: 'We think the Chinese and the Indian markets and other Asian markets are clearly things we should be working on, and we are.' While he said he was 'not going to speculate' on what would happen on this front, Mr Dewar added: 'The growth there demonstrates the opportunity. 'We just work quietly and we celebrate them [new routes] when they arrive.' He highlighted a major uplift in travel to destinations to which new, direct long-haul routes were launched. Mr Dewar said 'longer-haul new destinations add 30% to 50% to travel', noting direct routes meant journeys were 'less time-consuming". Edinburgh Airport has also enjoyed significant success in recent times in winning and building direct flights to North America, serving various key destinations in the US and Canada. It was announced in the spring that United Airlines is extending its service between Edinburgh and Washington DC to what the airport characterised as 'almost year-round'. In March, it was confirmed that Air Canada would launch a new direct route between Edinburgh and Montreal this summer. As I observed – in the column in which I reflected on Mr Dewar's views on Glasgow Airport – 'the momentum of Edinburgh Airport seems difficult to overstate'. This article was first published in The Herald's Business HQ Monthly supplement
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Fragments survive of ocean liner 'Doric' which met its end in Newport
And that reminded us of this story we ran back in 2015 about the pub's interesting interior... She was a ship built to cross the high seas in style. Owned by White Star Line, of Titanic fame, the Doric sailed between Liverpool to Montreal carrying passengers in luxurious comfort. But 80 years after she met her end in a Newport breakers yard, parts of this ship from a bygone age still grace parts of the city. The smoking room in the liner Mauretania. Many of the rooms in the Doric would have been fitted out in similar style The Doric belongs to an age before the Atlantic could be crossed in hours. In the 1920s when she was built it would take at least a week. To persuade the passenger to part with their money, shipping lines had to make their liners as comfortable as possible. Their boast always had to be that their ships were the most well-appointed, in which the luxury of the surroundings would make even the roughest crossing a pleasure. As an architect who designed the interiors of great cruise ships of the time said, "we must make people forget they are at sea." The Doric was no different. The smoking room in the Doric, from the illustrated plans owned by ex-Cashmore's worker Tony Whitcombe Built in Belfast by Harland and Wolff in 1922, she could carry 2,300 passengers and depending on the price of their ticket in either luxury or comfort. A crew of 350 attended to their needs on the journey. While not a giant like her larger sisters, such as the Titanic, the twin-funnelled Doric shared her stately lines and wore the same colour scheme as the tragic liner. Her interior was every bit as swish as her stablemates. Dining rooms were clad in oak and mahogany, marble was used extensively. Mirrors were delicately engraved. Even ashtrays were silver-plated or made of brass and embossed delicately with the White Star flag emblem. The ship's maiden voyage on June 8, 1923, was from Liverpool to Montreal in Canada. She would sail the 2,385 miles in just under seven days at a steady 15 knots on this route she plied until 1932. From 1933 the Doric began a more leisurely career and was used for only cruising, based at Liverpool, she was one of ten White Star liners transferred to the newly-merged company Cunard White-Star. Her voyaging was to come to a premature end in September 1935 when she collided with the French ship Formigny off Cape Finisterre. Her passengers were rescued and emergency repairs at Vigo in northern Spain were made, but on her return to the UK she was declared "a constructive total loss" or as cars might be called today, "a write-off". It is then, as her fate had been decided, that Newport entered the scene. Cashmore's was a Newport firm whose name would have been known throughout the world as the place where ships came to die. A steel panel is hoisted from the Doric as she is broken up at Cashmore's Despite the thousands of hours of toil by riveters in fixing great sheets of steel together and carpenters fashioning stylish fittings - a ship's life would end by a cutting torch at a place like this. Newport was a natural place for a ship-breaker. Local historian, Jim Dyer says that the Usk, with its high tidal reach, meant the largest of ships could be sailed upstream. The yard's appetite was prodigious. Mr Dyer said: "They scrapped more than 1,000 ships, of all sizes, famous warships, ocean-going liners, paddle steamers, tugs and coasters were pulled apart the metal and accessories all sold and recycled." Sat on the banks of the River Usk between where the SDR and George Street bridges are today, the yard saw the end of liners like the fantastically-named Reina del Pacifico, the Empress of France and great battleships like HMS Collingwood and, of course, the Doric. Another chronicler of Newport's past was Jan Preece and he remembered how these leviathans would come up the river on their final journey: "When I lived on Raglan Street in Pill, you could see the great majestic shapes looming over the streets. You took it for granted, but at the same time it was so impressive." Cashmore's made its fortune from the scrap metal gleaned from these great ships; their fixings and fittings were small beer. The proceeds of the sale of furniture were often donated to local causes. The Doric's oak-panelling and engraved mirrors would go to keep the Royal Gwent in those pre-NHS days. Steve Williams landlord of the St Julians Inn in front of fittings from the liner "Doric" that was scrapped at Cashmore's in Newport Many houses in Pill would give a home to a sideboard, a lamp or a door salvaged from a ship broken up at Cashmore's, the Doric included. By 1937 more than 280 ships had been broken up but many more would lie alongside the river bank on the Usk mud and be slowly dismembered. It seems appropriate that further up the river the remains of one of Cashmore's most famous projects, the Doric, should be found. Steve Williams is landlord of the St Julians Inn and is one of Newport's longest-serving landlords. But some of the fittings in his pub overlooking Caerleon stretch back much longer than that. The walls of the lounge in the pub are clad with oak panelling saved from the Doric. 'The lounge was built on to the original part of the pub between the wars,' landlord Steve Williams says 'and they clad it with wood taken from the wardroom on the liner'. 'Some of the bell pushes used to summon a steward are still there,' he adds. He says it is a 'special feeling' that this part of the great ship remains. 'You can't preserve something as big as a liner, but it's good that pieces of it have been kept and are still used here. 'I have seen a picture of the original wardroom on the Doric where the panelling came from, and it's laid out exactly like the lounge here. It has the same cosy feel.' It should come as no surprise it looks so at home in a pub. When the architects were designing these palaces of the sea, they wanted to re-create the intimate feeling of a club or restaurant. 'Not many people are alive who would have seen the ship when it came into Newport,' Steve adds, 'so it's great that people can come and see a part of it here.' Overlooking the Usk as it bends round towards Caerleon, The St Julians Inn is named after the patron saint of boatmen who was renowned also for the help he gave to travellers. It's also fitting, then, that fragments of the Doric survive here where that great liner travelled her last.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Butlins nominated for top UK travel awards
Butlins could be bringing home two prestigious industry awards this year, but holidaymakers can still save up to 40% on breaks A much-loved family holiday destination is celebrating national recognition after being shortlisted for two major accolades in the 2025 British Travel Awards. Butlin's Bognor Regis has been named a finalist for both 'Best Company for UK Parks and Lodges Holidays' and 'Favourite Company for Radio Advertisements.' These prestigious consumer-voted awards honour excellence across the UK travel and leisure industry, covering everything from holiday parks to cruise lines. Winners are decided entirely by public vote, offering a true reflection of what UK holidaymakers value most when they take a break. Butlin's is encouraging holidaymakers to cast their vote before voting closes November, 1. Anyone taking part will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win rewards such as a £5,000 Greek holiday, a river cruise worth over £4,000, holiday vouchers up to £1,000, or a £5,000 European villa break. Votes can be made online via the British Travel Awards website. The Bognor Regis resort has recently unveiled new attractions following an ambitious makeover. Among the highlights is the company's largest-ever indoor Soft Play centre, covering over 3,000 square feet across four floors and accommodating up to 200 children at a time - double the previous capacity. The addition of a brand-new Puppet Theatre with themed play zones, a sensory area for babies, a cosy café, and free puppet shows such as Under The Sea and Christmouse has further boosted the resort's family-friendly appeal. These features have already proven a hit, with thousands of families expected to visit during the school holidays. The £1.8 million Soft Play investment is part of wider developments across Butlin's three seaside resorts. Bognor Regis is also home to the £15 million indoor activity centre PLAYXPERIENCE, offering nine immersive gaming experiences, from laser tag and a VR arcade to escape rooms. Meanwhile, Minehead recently welcomed a second £2.5 million SKYPARK, an inclusive and interactive playground for children of all abilities. In Skegness, the £12 million Maple Walk village introduced 128 contemporary Premium Lodges at the heart of the resort. To celebrate, Butlin's has launched a major summer sale on 2025 and 2026 holidays, with discounts of up to 40%. Offers include Midweek Showtime breaks at Bognor Regis from £69 in June, Summer Holidays with Stephen Mulhern featuring three-night stays from £352, and Justin Fletcher Tots Breaks starting at £79 in September. Holiday parks are a cherished British tradition, with families returning year after year for fun-filled breaks. For families looking for a break by the seaside, Haven Holidays offers a perfect blend of fun and nostalgia, while Parkdean Resorts provides a similar experience, with 66 parks featuring pools, on-site dining, and classic seaside activities. While Center Parcs remains a favourite for its forest escapes packed with activities, prices can soar during school holidays. Brits love Butlins for the affordable fun it offers, with holidaymakers sharing their experiences on TripAdvisor. One visitor said: "We had a lovely Easter break at Butlin's Bognor. Top quality entertainment, engaging and friendly staff and we had the weather too. Such good fun for young and old alike. Very impressed with the new soft play, the Splash water park was fabulous and from start to finish we received nothing but exceptional customer service." Another family who stayed at Minehead added: "We've just returned from our most amazing family break at Butlins Minehead, marking our fifth year visiting, and we honestly can't praise it enough! From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations." A holidaymaker who just returned from a visit in June, said: "Went to Skegness Butlins over the weekend and it was amazing, the kids absolutely loved it! The place was lovely and clean, staff were extremely helpful and we can't wait to come back." Nevertheless, not everyone left with rave reviews. One less impressed visitor noted: "Decided to give Butlin's a go for half term. Overall, for us adults, everything was a bit meh except for the entertainment, which was awesome." Another positive review from Bognor mentioned: "Always things to do never get bored. Very clean apartment. New playxperience building is very good, packed with new, fun experiences. Had great fun in laser tag. Brilliant and helpful staff." All of Butlin's holiday offers can be found here, with deals available at Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness. Depending on the date and location, guests could also secure up to 40% discount on meal packages.
