Savour the island lifestyle with these luxury Greek and Spanish escapes
Whether perusing Michelin-star menus, enjoying yoga classes on the beach or exploring the coast in a complimentary Tesla, there's so much to see and do.
Ikos will be adding a new resort to its elegant collection in summer 2026 on the Greek island of Crete. Ikos Kissamos will offer 53 acres of lush gardens set on a stretch of unspoiled sands. Bookings will open later this year with British Airways Holidays.
Corfiot charm at Ikos Dassia
Set on a bay of golden sands and surrounded by fragrant pines, Ikos Dassia blends modern Mediterranean vibes with classic Greek hospitality. And it's all just a 25-minute drive from the airport. With the Ionian Sea as your backdrop, you'll slip effortlessly into luxury mode, pampered by Ikos Resorts' signature Unconditional Luxury proposition, an all-inclusive offering that allows guests to savour gourmet cuisine from a choice of seven à la carte restaurants and one buffet eatery, and enjoy activities ranging from tennis to al fresco Pilates, scenic mountain biking and stand-up paddle boarding.
Little ones will love splashing around the seven heated pools and Blue Flag beach. And while the children are busy with football, teen clubs or arts and crafts activities, parents can bliss out at the state-of-the-art Anne Semonin Spa.
Head out to explore your island surrounds with Ikos' Local Discovery experiences. With Tesla car hire included, you can visit Unesco-listed Corfu Town or find hidden bays for a dip, with meals at local tavernas all included in your stay.
Ikos Olivia in heavenly Halkidiki
Amid an ancient olive grove on the verdant shores of Halkidiki, just 45 minutes from Thessaloniki Airport, Ikos Olivia is a stylish, modern resort, fully refurbished for the 2025 season.
Overlooking Toroneos Bay, here you can choose from a stunning collection of rooms, suites and bungalows, designed with calming colours and organic textures that blend beautifully with the lush surroundings of the resort.
You'll find gourmet treats aplenty at the five fully redesigned restaurants, from the all-new The Garden restaurant, pairing Mediterranean cuisine with fine wines, to teppanyaki at newly renovated Anaya, and sundowners at stylish Potami Bar.
With four heated pools and a children's splash pool, kids' clubs for all ages, a babysitting service and a football academy, there is plenty for younger guests to love. Grown-ups can indulge at the Ikos Spa and enjoy everything from beachside yoga to live music.
Magnificent Mallorca at Ikos Porto Petro
Escape to Mallorca's south-east coast where Ikos Porto Petro is set between two picturesque coves. Just a stroll from Porto Petro Marina and with Mondrago National Park on your doorstep, this is a retreat where you can soak up incredible coastal views or head out and explore.
Drift between pools and pine-clad coves and dine at the five à la carte restaurants featuring menus designed by Michelin-star chefs. Savour the sun-blushed flavours of Spanish cuisine, as well as Italian delights at the Pizza & Pasta Bar, spicy sensations at Anaya or Japanese-Peruvian fusion at the Nikkei Corner, at The Market.
For a change of scene, head out in your complimentary Tesla to explore the rugged shores and rolling hills of Mallorca. Dramatic mountains, secluded harbours and quaint villages await.
Whether you stay at Kos, Corfu, Halkidiki, Mallorca or Màlaga, Ikos Resorts will make it unforgettable.
British Airways Holidays packages include a generous checked baggage allowance for each customer and come with full Atol protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your all-inclusive holiday to Ikos Resorts with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*.
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Times
5 hours ago
- Times
Tourism is not always to blame
Cities that want tourists to stay away, including Barcelona, should be careful what they wish for EMILIO MORENATTI/AP I t is the height of the summer holidays, and millions of tourists are now on their way to their favourite Spanish beaches or jostling through the narrow alleyways of Venice. In fact, rebounding vigorously from the slump during and after the Covid pandemic, tourism is at an all-time high: European countries hosted an estimated 756 million tourists last year, 46 million more than in 2023. The Greek island of Zakynthos drew 150 times more people than it has permanent residents. Little wonder that there has been a backlash: tourists are jeered and sprayed by water guns in Barcelona, Venice has introduced a daily tourist tax and cruise ships are increasingly unwelcome in the Canary Islands. Spain, the second most visited country in Europe (and the top one for British tourists), is experiencing particular overcrowding and hostility. The mayor of Barcelona has unveiled a €15 million plan to alleviate the congestion around the Sagrada Familia basilica, visited last year by 4.7 million people. He wants to regulate the proliferation of tourist shops, promote commercial diversity and enforce limits on bars. Apparently it is not working. Despite the 41 souvenir shops already crowding nearby streets, more are still being opened. Residents complain there is nowhere to buy bread and other staples. And young people find housing increasingly unaffordable, as landlords find it much more profitable to rent out properties to the thousands looking for Airbnb accommodation. These complaints — on the distortion of the housing market, the noise, traffic, drunkenness and loutish behaviour of many tourists (especially the British and Germans in Ibiza and other clubbing hotspots) — are being voiced increasingly stridently across Europe. Paris numbered more than 400,000 visitors per square kilometre in 2024, 20 times the local resident population. Central Athens and Copenhagen were also swamped. Amsterdam is now openly hostile to those coming to gawp at the red light district (and has tried to move the prostitutes to a distant designated venue). And tranquil Switzerland finds its slopes overcrowded in winter and Alpine summers ruined by cars and walkers. Take the train instead, it urges. The complaints are understandable. But tourism is not always to blame. A failure to build enough houses, poor traffic regulation, the refusal to see the environmental impact of huge cruise liners (especially in the Venice lagoon), profiteering by business monopolies — these all deflect blame and lay it on overtourism. The danger, however, is that overt hostility will be keenly felt by visitors, who may choose to take their holiday spending money elsewhere. Numbers will drop. The goose may not only stop laying golden eggs but will be cooked. Already some businesses in popular destinations are complaining that fewer people are coming after protests. Tourism is extraordinarily big business, not only in Europe but further afield: Thailand, New Zealand, Bali and the Gambia rely on visitors. On the whole, tourism does broaden most minds, though the risk of local exploitation is significant. But proper regulation is essential if it is not to increase xenophobia and prejudice. Countries such as Greece, helped back from the brink of bankruptcy by tourism, now find some heritage sites in danger. Responsible governments must treat their heritage, visitors and earnings responsibly.
Times
9 hours ago
- Times
28 of the best hotels in Cyprus
The choice of accommodation on this jewel of a Mediterranean island is vast, so before you start your search decide on the type of holiday you want: easy and all-inclusive; down by the beach or up in the mountains; close to Unesco world heritage sites or within walking distance of bars and clubs. To make the most of your trip you'll need a car, as the public transport infrastructure on Cyprus isn't as comprehensive as in some destinations. The capital, Nicosia, as well as Paphos and Limassol are always popular; the south and east coasts have beautiful beaches; while the Akamas peninsula, in the northwest, is still untamed and a great place to explore — follow those rugged trails to explore secluded bays where you can skinny-dip and soak up views you'll want to remember for ever. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue £ | SPA | Best for tech heads Map ranks among the top hotels in the capital, despite having opened only a few years ago. Its location — a few minutes' walk from the architect Zaha Hadid's masterful Eleftheria Square — is one of its key attractions. Others include its sleek interior decor, gym, spa and excellent restaurant. The technology is smart and then some, so if using an app to do everything from switching off the lights to drawing the curtains is your idea of modernity, then you've come to the right place. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for bay views Named after an ancient city, the ruins of which stand a short way along the coast, this well-established hotel is a favourite for high-end holidays. In addition to multiple pools, a blue-flag beach, renowned spa and wellness facilities, this luxury property is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, so you can expect the highest standards. The choice of restaurants is outstanding, there's a heated pool for off-season stays and if all that still isn't enough you can upgrade to the even fancier Amathus Residences next door. • Read our full guide to Cyprus £ | POOL | Best for a cultural immersion Lovely Lefkara is one of those time-stood-still discoveries that add character to Cypriot holidays. It is the island's centre for handicrafts, particularly lacework and silverware, and the village is also known for its cobbled streets and Venetian architecture. One former market has been transformed into the Agora: an adults-only boutique beauty dressed with bespoke furnishings and traditional touches that is as characterful as the village in which it stands. Guests can visit the weekly market or pop into workshops to learn about (or try their hand at) pottery, embroidery or beekeeping. It's a world away from the beach resorts, yet just 30 minutes' drive from Larnaca. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for country-club vibes In the hills above Paphos, yet only 20 minutes' drive from town, this refined and indulgent retreat feels far removed from the mega-hotels on the coast. It offers more of a nature-based holiday, surrounded by countryside and golfing greens, with the added advantage of having one of the best spas on the island. Even the entry-level rooms here are suites, decked out in earthy shades and with lovely views of the landscape. Travelling en famille? Upgrade to a two-bedroom, suite or even a larger villa or residence, all with first-rate facilities and five-star service. £ | Best for a peaceful haven Managed by the same family since 1929, this charming heritage hotel — with rooms, maisonette suites and self-catering studios — is a jewel. Near the Kalidonia waterfalls, and surrounded by the pine trees of the Troodos Mountains, its recent renovations have given it a nip here and a tuck there, while keeping its fine features intact. Its natural attractions include the 250-year-old pine tree that grows through the bar, but guests more interested in its facilities and services will be impressed by the quality of the dining — a banquet breakfast, a Cypriot menu drawn from family recipes, and international fare in the gorgeous Veranda restaurant. Snacks, soups, mountain tea and sandwiches filled with locally made halloumi are served in the social lounge. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for grown-up getaways For a country that loves children, Cyprus certainly has a lot of child-free accommodation, with the Cali Resort & Spa adding to the choice of five-star hotels for those who would sooner stay home than go anywhere with a kids' club. You can walk to Coral Bay's thriving restaurant and shopping area in mere minutes, with the blue-flag beach just a few more steps away. All rooms are beautifully furnished and finished — no corners cut here — and the spa treatments are heavenly. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for the eco-conscious Despite its considerable size, this elegant, modern hotel has built its reputation on its warm hospitality, sustainability credentials and first-rate services. These include an award-winning spa, tennis courts, pools (one with a waterslide), several restaurants (one of which is plant-based), and great evening entertainment. An added bonus is that many rooms have a balcony or terrace to make the most of the sea or marina views, and all have tea and coffee-making facilities — something that many new hotels are doing without. The location is fab, too, just 15 minutes by car from Limassol. £ | SPA | POOL (indoor) | Best for spa lovers Anyone travelling this deep into Cyprus's interior could be forgiven for wondering if the winding roads and extra transfer time are worth it. Such doubts are soon dispelled on arrival at this remarkable property in the Troodos Mountains. A collection of traditional houses converted into a spa hotel, it sits next to a Unesco-listed, 1,000-year-old church and monastery complex, complete with Byzantine frescoes. Hiking and sightseeing are popular here, especially at this cooler altitude, but the hotel is no slouch when it comes to luxury. Its spa is outstanding, the rooms are gorgeous, and its diners — Byzantino restaurant, serving traditional Cypriot dishes; Byzantino café, for lighter meals; Pantheon for pizza, pasta and salads, and Loutraki, the grill restaurant — are all excellent. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for fans of boutique hotels With just 100 rooms, this intimate hotel is more focused on seaside relaxation than partying — hence its indulgent spa, which champions organic Greek brand Aegli. Flanking a white, sandy beach, Alion has tennis courts and an outdoor pool ringed by shady seating areas. Among its numerous dining venues are the Deck Terrace restaurant with a Mediterranean menu, poolside Akti serving relaxed lunches, and Symposion, which offers an international buffet that includes an abundance of choice for vegetarians and vegans. Pale-wood and white finishes render bedrooms bright, and there are private balconies. Evenings feature live music performances, cocktail-making lessons and local wine-tasting sessions. • Best places to visit in Cyprus• Best family hotels in Cyprus ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for entertaining everyone When is the Four Seasons not the Four Seasons? Well, when it's in Cyprus. And yet such are the standards at this five-star resort hotel that it wouldn't be out of place in its more famous namesake's portfolio. With access to a blue-flag beach and expansive views of the Mediterranean, it lies six miles east of Limassol but, being one of the largest hotels on the island, often tempts guests to explore no further than its own sprawling grounds. With a kids' club, tennis courts and selection of pools, it's also ideal for families, especially as its five restaurants cater to a wide range of tastes. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for an all-rounder Perhaps nowhere in Cyprus hits the sweet spot of luxury, style and history quite so well as the Columbia Beach Resort. Anyone with a car really doesn't have to go far east to explore the ruins of Kourion, with its ancient Greco-Roman amphitheatre, while to the west you can find Petra tou Romiou, the site where the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, was said to have emerged from the waves. You could be forgiven for not exploring at all, though — this 169-suite hotel has a version of everything, but never lets its standards drop, whether that's in its spa, its quieter adults-only areas or the considerably less serene kids' club. Read our full review of Columbia Beach Resort £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for luxurious experiences Conflict may seem like a strange bedfellow to serenity, but so it is on the Akamas peninsula. Occupying British forces carried out training exercises for so long here that development stalled and left behind a sumptuous national park, home to endemic flora and fauna. On the very edge of this unspoilt land sits the Anassa, one of the finest hotels on the island. Experiences range from professional photoshoots to pottery classes to shamanic retreats, but of course there's the option to simply lie by the outdoor pool with that bestseller you've never quite got round to reading. Read our full review of Anassa £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for celebrity restaurants Opened just before the onset of the pandemic, the Amara has really hit its stride, with its fresh design, clever use of natural light and uncomplicated use of tech proving popular with guests of all ages. All of the 207 rooms and suites have a sea view and two (of the four) restaurants have celebrity-chef names attached: Giorgio Locatelli and Matsuhisa, of Nobu fame. These modern touches are lovely, of course, but what's equally appealing is the location — a 20-minute stroll west will take you to the 3,000-year-old archaeological site of Amathus. Read our full review of Amara £ | SPA | POOL | Best for R&R Despite being in the heart of the Cypriot party capital, the Napa Plaza is an outlier — an adults-only hotel that's a cut above anything else in town when it comes to refined debauchery. Though almost lying in the shadow of Ayia Napa's church and monastery, its Pepper Bar has DJs playing most nights in summer, while offering a wonderfully diverse cocktail menu and shisha pipes galore. The wilder side of the town awaits just outside the property's high walls. £ | POOL | Best for an early flight/proximity to the airport If you don't want to delay your holidaymaking by any more than five minutes, then Larnaca's adults-only Hotel Indigo is for you. Its proximity to the airport is matched by that of Finikoudes beach and its famous, palm-lined promenade that lies a short stroll away through town. The beautiful ninth-century Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Lazarus is even closer than that. The hotel's rooftop pool bar, with superb views over the Mediterranean, is popular before nights out around town too — or if it's one of Larnaca's rare cloudy days, duck inside to the well-stocked wine bar. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for private pools Lying between Paphos and the wild Akamas peninsula, Cap St Georges pulls off the neat trick of being enormous and calm at the same time. With 150 villas and ten bars and restaurants, it is certainly not a boutique hotel, but it's part of a gated resort and everything is well organised and polished. There'll be no outsiders staggering on to the private beach, nor cannonballing in the swimming pool here. Many of the bungalows have their own pools and views of the sea. As the resort faces west, the sunsets over the ocean can be divine. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for couples The Amavi isn't just suitable for couples, it's exclusively for them. That's the only kind of reservation possible here, in the heart of Paphos, making it popular with honeymooners and fraught parents escaping their offspring for a well-earned break. The cocktail bar has an inspired menu, while the popular pool bar is well-staffed all day. Downtown Paphos is just a 15-minute walk away, with its ancient harbour never entirely quiet. The hotel can also lay on day trips to vineyards in the Cypriot interior, should you fancy getting away from the coast. Read our full review of Amavi ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for Greek ruins If you don't mind waking up next to the dead, then this is the hotel for you. Right beside the storied Tombs of the Kings Unesco world heritage site, Elysium sets a lofty standard for the living. The hotel's design takes its inspiration from Cyprus's later Byzantine period, but the spa is thoroughly modern, as are the pool and gym. If you'd like to meet some of the locals, then take tea, or enjoy a cocktail, at the recently refurbished Café Occidental — it has proved a hit with the community. There's also a kids' club and direct beach access, while the sunset views across the Mediterranean haven't changed since the days of the ancients buried next door. • Best villas in Paphos• Best all-inclusive hotels in Cyprus £ | SPA | POOL | Best for an adults-only vibe Sitting atop a promontory in the south west of the island, this hotel is simultaneously conspicuous and private. It overlooks both the Med and a 3,000-year-old Mycenaean settlement, and is a very short walk to the golden sands of Coral Bay. Downtown Paphos will require a 15-minute drive, but many guests choose to relax on site, with romantic sorts particularly keen on the Psari restaurant, with its alfresco tables offering views either side of the peninsula. With no kids allowed in the hotel, the only background noise you should have to worry about is audible swooning from your fellow guests. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for a special occasion One of Southern Cyprus's most exclusive and expensive resorts, Parklane may not take much inspiration from the wider island and its rich history, but it does provide a sense of luxury not easily found elsewhere. It's managed by the behemoth Marriott Group, and a wealth of international experience has created a sleek resort delivering a combination of villas and hotel rooms, multiple pools and sprawling private grounds hosting tennis courts and a football pitch. It's large enough that it has areas reserved for adults, but elsewhere you'll find the excellent Explorers Kids Club. £ | SPA | POOL | Best for an all-inclusive option If you fancy the reassurances of a resort but don't quite fancy deep-diving into Ayia Napa, Protaras grants great access to the historic Cape Greco, powder-soft beaches, and blushing dawns for early risers. Long one of the most popular hotels in this part of the island, Crystal Springs is set in seven acres of gorgeous gardens, but still offers direct beach access as well as its own pools. It has an extensive all-inclusive package for anyone who doesn't want to worry about settling bills at the end, while for an extra cost it can arrange Padi training, too. £ | SPA | POOL | Best for child-free holidays With the closest beach a good 15-minute walk away, the adults-only King Jason may not be the first choice for sea lovers, but it does offer residential comforts for those hoping for a quiet getaway. There's still plenty of outdoor focus here, with three swimming pools (including a hydro contact spa pool), large sun deck and resplendent gardens throughout the grounds. Many of the rooms are in an apartment style with their own kitchenettes, while elsewhere in the resort you'll find a library, as well as bike-hire facilities. The spa offers a wide selection of treatments, as well as its own quiet pool with a big focus on relaxation. Recent renovations have energised the public areas, including the main restaurant, lobby and library, and have upgraded 77 rooms and suites with chic, contemporary furniture and soft lighting. £ | SPA | POOL | Best for nature If you want to be close to some of Cyprus's most satisfying nature but don't fancy the serpentine roads of the interior, Grecian Park may be the perfect choice. Several trails begin from the hotel, including a ten-minute option that leads to the beautifully secluded Konnos Beach. The wild expanses of the Cape Greco National Park lie beyond, so it will come as welcome news that Grecian Park has an excellent spa for recovery after your long walks. Elsewhere around the property you can find a kids' club, tennis courts, a steam room and, if you've somehow got energy left, a small nightclub. Open seasonally from the end of March to November. £ | POOL | Best for solo travellers Offering excellent rates for individual travellers, the Sveltos is a 46-room affair just north of central Larnaca. With the small size comes just one main restaurant, although the buffet-operated Fanari runs themed Indian, Italian, Mexican, Japanese and — with singing and dancing — Cypriot nights in summer; the lounge and pool bars both serve food. Rooms are simple but cheerful and there's a 20m outdoor pool, a smaller children's paddling equivalent and loungers aplenty. Many cafés are within walking distance and the nearest beach is 200m away. £ | SPA | POOL | Best for families Children love this Thanos family-run, 187-room residence on Paphos's bustling esplanade. From the Baby-Go-Lightly service, which lets parents order items such as nappies, wipes and car seats ahead of travel, to a mighty, age-divided kids' club, every consideration has been made. Sleek, interconnecting seafront suites are available, one of the freshwater pools is devoted to youngsters, and restaurant meals can be tailored — be it Japanese-Mediterranean fusion in Notios or waterside Ouzeri's halloumi salads. Adults-only pool and spa areas provide rejuvenation; alternatively, a tennis court or olive oil-making excursions allow for fun family afternoons. £ | SPA | POOL | Best for a budget-friendly break On Cape Greco near Ayia Napa, 243-room Cavo Maris delivers a good standard of luxury at bargain prices. Landscaped gardens front a golden-sand shore with blue-flag status, while a two-minute walk will take you to another pair of coves. Fig Tree Bay, one of the island's most beautiful beaches, is just a mile away. You won't have to leave the estate to find a pool or tennis court, however. Rooms are bright and breezy in style and Argo Burger Bistro is among the à la carte restaurant choices. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for sporty types This hotel — near Aphrodite's Rock, the birthplace of the goddess of love — covers a large expanse between Paphos and Limassol. Around it you'll find an 18-hole, Cabell B Robinson-designed golf course — look out for the seventh hole's dramatic gorge — plus football, riding, the Village Square's various dining venues, the Tennis Academy's clay and Plexicushion courts, and a grand, Greco-Roman-themed spa. Its plateau setting means most of the 290 rooms or suites have sea views. Children are very well looked after, including in the hotel's restaurants, which feature Asian, Mexican, Italian and Mediterranean fare. £ | POOL | Best for an authentic escape There's such a resolute focus on the Cypriot coastline that its interior often goes unexplored, its traditions ignored. Surrounded by vineyards, the Vasilias Nikoklis Inn will feel like an anomaly to some — a small, quaint property with no beach, and even the idea of a nightclub very distant. Instead, you'll find a local taverna as part of this family-run inn and personalised, friendly service that many of the big coastal resorts advertise but rarely deliver. Hire a car if you can — the inn is off the beaten track — to explore even more of the island's mountainous heart. • Best villas in Cyprus• Best beaches in Cyprus Additional reporting by Richard Mellor, Oliver Berry, James Litston and Xenia Taliotis What's your favourite place to stay in Cyprus? Let us know in the comments
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Terrifying pictures show huge damage to front of Airbus which was hit by a bird strike after taking off from Spanish airport
An Airbus plane has been grounded after suffering massive damage as it was hit by a bird while taking off from a Spanish airport. This afternoon Iberia Flight IB579 was forced to land back in Madrid after it was reportedly struck by a large bird during takeoff. Photos from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, the main air travel hub for Spain 's capital, showed the radome, the plane's nose, had suffered severe damage. The material at the front had fallen away from the plane, an Airbus A321-253NY that was meant to fly to Paris. In one photo, the offending bird that apparently cause the strike was seen in one of the plane's jets. Data from FlightRadar24 showed the plane made a short loop above the area surrounding Madrid before landing back at the airport. It landed just over an hour after it took off. The Daily Mail has contacted Iberia for comment. It is the latest in a series of setbacks to the aviation industry this week after major airports - including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham - were forced to suspend flights with thousands of passengers left stuck on the tarmac. A technical issue suffered at the NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre grounded all London flights, sparking travel chaos. Passengers heading off on their summer holidays took to social media to vent their frustration, with some posting pictures from grounded plane windows or telling the Daily Mail they had been rediverted to Brussels. NATS said the issue was resolved but knock-delays will continue, with passengers advised to check with their airline. A statement read: 'Our engineers have now restored the system that was affected this afternoon. 'We are in the process of resuming normal operations in the London area. We continue to work closely with airline and airport customers to minimise disruption.' Departures across all airports have now resumed, NATS said, however the backlog of flights is expected to cause delays across the country for the next few hours. 'Our systems are fully operational and air traffic capacity is returning to normal,' it added. 'We are working with affected airlines and airports to clear the backlog safely.' RyanAir's chief operating officer Neal McMahon called on NATS' chief executive Martin Rolfe to resign following the chaos - which marks the second time in two years the air traffic controller has seen a major outage. More than 700,000 passengers suffered disruption when flights were grounded at UK airports on August 28 2023 when NATS suffered a technical glitch while processing a flight plan. Mr McMahon said: 'It is outrageous that passengers are once again being hit with delays and disruption due to Martin Rolfe's continued mismanagement of Nats. 'Yet another ATC system failure has resulted in the closure of UK airspace meaning thousands of passengers' travel plans have been disrupted. 'It is clear that no lessons have been learnt since the Aug 2023 Nats system outage, and passengers continue to suffer as a result of Martin Rolfe's incompetence. 'If Nats CEO Martin Rolfe fails to resign on the back of this latest Nats system outage that has disrupted thousands of passengers yet again, then UK transport minister Heidi Alexander must act without delay to remove Martin Rolfe and deliver urgent reform of Nats' shambolic ATC service, so that airlines and passengers are no longer forced to endure these preventable delays caused by persistent Nats failures.' One person on X reported a Heathrow bound flight was flying around Ben Nevis while unable to land safely. Meanwhile, passenger Jane Ainsworth told the Daily Mail her flight from Kos back to Birmingham has been forced to land in Brussels. Another frustrated flyer reported 'going nowhere' as they sat inside an airplane on the runway for more than 40 minutes. 'Going nowhere as no departures from @HeathrowAirport for the last 40 minutes. Apparently 'the radar isn't working'. @British_Airways crew being fab,' they wrote. A Heathrow spokesperson said: 'Flights at Heathrow have resumed following a technical issue at the NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre. We are advising passengers to check with their airline before travelling. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.' Gatwick Airport said on Wednesday afternoon that technical issues caused a complete halt to departures while the situation was being resolved. 'A technical issue impacting Nats is affecting all outbound flights across the UK,' the airport said on X. 'There are currently no departures from London Gatwick while the situation is being resolved. 'We are working with Nats to resume flights as quickly as possible. Inbound flights are still landing at the airport.
