Ryanair axes flights to 3 French cities including Europe's 'Christmas Capital'
Ryanair have axed all services to Brive, Bergerac and Strasbourg, and will be reducing its capacity at other airports.
The budget carrier say this will mean the loss of 25 routes and 750,000 seats in France this winter.
Other destinations impacted include Marseille, where capacity will be cut by 9%, Paris-Beauvais which will see a loss of 8%, and Toulouse which will be cut by 4%.
It comes after the airline already axed flights to Vatry, in the northeast of France, earlier this year.
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
Ryanair bosses say the decision is due to 'harmful' taxes on tickets and they had 'no choice' but to take the drastic action.
It's bad news for travellers who were looking forward to heading to Strasbourg this winter, often known as Europe's 'Capital of Christmas' due to its markets which attract approximately two million global visitors every festive season.
Meanwhile, wine lovers will be missing out on sipping merlots and sauvignon blancs in Bergerac, while Brive is often considered a gateway for those looking to explore the Dordogne.
Jason McGuinness, Ryanair's chief commercial officer said in a statement that the French government had failed to act.
The statement continued: 'This completely avoidable loss will have a severe impact on regional connectivity, tourism and local employment.
'Unless the government changes course and abolishes this unfair air tax, Ryanair's capacity and investment in France will inevitably be redirected to more competitive European markets such as Sweden, Hungary, or parts of Italy.'
Bucharest has the beautiful buildings, tree-lined boulevards and swish cafes we associate with Paris — at a dramatically cheaper price.
Recently ranked 9th in The Times' roundup of '24 of the best affordable city breaks in Europe', Romania's capital and largest city is actively welcoming tourists.
The government is pouring money into accommodation and public transport in a bid to attract travellers, while other countries are pushing them away.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Bucharest was a hotspot for French artists and intellectuals, who frequented the city. At the time, society mirrored the Parisian way, with a focus on fashion, elegance and sophistication. Likewise, prominent Romanian artists, including Constantin Brâncuși, studied in Bucharest before making their names in Paris.
Visually, the city earned its 'Little Paris' nickname thanks to its architectural similarities with France's capital. The streetshave similar ornate flourishes of Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Romanian Revival are on display on every corner. More Trending
Metro's Alice Murphy spent a day at the park during a trip to Romania and said it is easily accessible by train, bus, taxi, or on foot.
She also recommends the Free Walking Tour of Bucharest, where you can learn about the city's history and culture, and a visit to the National Village Museum to discover how people live in rural Romania.
Of course, no European city break is complete without a stroll around the Old Town.
Bucharest's pedestrian-only area is very tourist-friendly and brimming with terraces, cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: Dozens injured on Delta flight to Amsterdam after it hits severe turbulence
MORE: Sobbing Ryanair passenger stopped from boarding plane 'felt like a criminal'
MORE: 'I felt like a millionaire': Travellers share their business class upgrade stories
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
5 minutes ago
- Reuters
Nuclear fuels producer Orano does not expect any impact from EU-US deal
PARIS, Aug 1 (Reuters) - The trade deal between the European Union and the United States should not impact the business of French nuclear fuels company Orano, as so far the U.S. has not imposed tariffs on uranium products, its CEO Nicolas Maes told reporters on Friday. Under the deal announced last Sunday, the EU agreed to purchase nuclear energy products along with U.S. liquefied natural gas and oil worth in total $750 billion over the next three years. "We have looked at the material, and for all the deals that have been signed so far between the U.S. and other regions of the world, and isotopes, uranium, enriched uranium are exempted," Maes said. However, he said the deal's provision for exports of nuclear fuel from the U.S. to Europe was surprising, given that the U.S. is an importer, rather than exporter of the fuel it needs for its nuclear power plants. "The U.S. market is structurally importing nuclear material and not exporting," Maes said. He also said Orano's plans to expand the company's nuclear enrichment facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, should not be affected by either the trade deal or U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order deregulating the nuclear sector. Trump signed an executive order In May to reduce regulations and fast-track new licences for nuclear reactors and power plants and reinvigorate uranium production and enrichment in the country. Maes said that Orano will maintain its nuclear safety standards but the order may result in easier dialogue between the nuclear safety authority and the utilities during the permitting process. He repeated an earlier comment that a final investment decision on the project is expected in 2027.
Metro
5 minutes ago
- Metro
British holidaymakers terrified after plane tyre explodes on take-off
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A plane tyre exploded during take off leaving British holidaymakers terrified in a one-in-10,000 take off accident. Passenger Kris Sadler was left feeling petrified after the tyre exploded sending tremors down the TUI flight. He was returning from Corfu to Birmingham with his wife Katie and sons Olly, 13, and Zach, 9. Footage shows the aircraft speeding down the run way when it suddenly jolts and becomes unbalanced, shaking as it lifts off. Kris said: 'It was scary. There were bits of tyre flying everywhere. The whole wing was rippling. 'I knew something was wrong but the crew took two hours to tell us. 'I was just trying to hold it together for the kids – and my wife was trying to hold it together. And she did until we landed and then it all came out. 'I was saying to them, 'it's all ok' but I was thinking, 'bloody hell if this goes wrong'.' The pilot eventually told passengers they would be landing in the brace position as they had lost a tyre. A black military-type jet appeared next to them to scout out the extent of damage to the landing gear, and stayed with them until they were back on the ground. Kris said: 'And as we came into touch down the crew were saying, 'heads down, heads down, heads down' repeatedly which kind of makes you panic more. 'It was pretty crazy. It's a one-in-10,000 chance of a plane tyre blowing.' Emergency crews were already on the ground as they landed, and hosed down the broken wheel on touch down. More Trending 'It looked like there were sparks when we landed but the landing was very good,' Kris said. 'It was a bit bumpy because it was running on a flat tyre. All the passengers cheered and clapped when we landed. 'The pilot came out and bowed. We may never have been in danger – or it might have been very dangerous and the pilot just pulled it off. 'There were some tears – but it was great to get back on solid ground and all safe.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Billionaire hotel tycoon reveals £25,000,000,000 Heathrow expansion plan MORE: Ryanair axes all flights to three European destinations — including a winter break hotspot MORE: Dozens injured on Delta flight to Amsterdam after it hits severe turbulence
Fashion United
an hour ago
- Fashion United
CEO interview: Kapten & Son embarks on UK retail expansion with London store
Kapten & Son is venturing into a new realm. The German travel brand is set to embark on a new flight path in the UK, where it is due to land in London with its first regional flagship store. After achieving success in the retail market of mainland Europe, with stores in Frankfurt, Vienna and Amsterdam, co-founder and chief executive officer, Johannes Theobald, has now turned his attention to the UK, where Kapten & Son is planning to expand its reach through minimalist design and experiential retail. The store itself is scheduled to open on August 16 in the heart of London's Seven Dials on Neal Street. Here, the brand's penchant for technological innovation and practical purchasing experiences will become readily available to British consumers, alongside a selection of products designed for modern travel. To find out more about, FashionUnited spoke to Theobald about London as an initial base, the importance of technology in the physical space and what Kapten & Son's next steps are. On expansion... Why was London chosen as the location of the first UK flagship store? London is a global fashion and lifestyle hub, and its diverse, international customer base makes it the perfect launchpad for us in the UK. We've seen strong demand from UK customers through our online channels, and it felt like the natural next step to bring the full Kapten & Son brand experience to London. How does the UK market fit into the brand's broader international expansion strategy? The UK is a key pillar of our European growth strategy. We've had great success in Germany and across mainland Europe, and now we're focused on establishing a strong local presence in key cities like London. We want to create flagship experiences that resonate with our community wherever they are. What differentiates the UK consumer from those in existing markets like Germany and the Netherlands? How have these differences been applied to the new store? UK consumers are particularly fashion-forward, with a strong preference for urban, contemporary styles, especially in London. These insights have directly influenced both the product range we plan to offer in-store and the visual merchandising, which places an even greater focus on urban aesthetics. Kapten & Son London store. Credits: Kapten & Son. Do you have plans to expand further in the UK? Absolutely. London is just our first of hopefully many Kapten & Son stores in the UK. We see huge potential in other major cities and are actively exploring options for further expansion. On experiential retail... What inspired the inclusion of features like the 'Magic Mirror'? Our customers. When we were designing the new store concept, we asked our store staff about common customer challenges. One recurring theme was that customers wanted to see how the backpack looked from behind, which isn't possible with a regular mirror. So they always asked our staff to take photos of them. The Magic Mirror solves this in a fun and innovative way. How do you see technology playing a role in the physical retail experience for Kapten & Son? Technology is becoming more and more essential. From the Magic Mirror to other digital touchpoints in-store, we're always looking for ways to make the shopping experience easier, more interactive, and more personalised. We can't wait to explore even more creative solutions. Kapten & Son London store. Credits: Kapten & Son. How do you define Kapten & Son's consumer group in 2025? What are they looking for in a brand? Our customers are modern, urban individuals, mostly between 25 and 40 years old. They live active, dynamic lives — commuting to work, traveling, doing sports, and spending time in the city. They look for products that offer functionality and high quality but also expect distinctive design that seamlessly fits into both their everyday and leisure activities. How are the brand's consumers - the 'modern travelers' - reflected in the store design? Travel and commuting are at the heart of our customers' lifestyles and our product offering. We've built unique features into the store to reflect this: for example, a Size Check station where customers can easily test whether our suitcases and backpacks comply with airline hand luggage regulations. We've also designed a small part of the store to resemble the interior of an airplane, creating a subtle travel atmosphere. Additionally, we've included a dedicated packing table with plenty of space for customers to open and explore our luggage and backpacks, and to discover all the thoughtful features and functionalities in detail. On business models... What feedback from European stores helped shape the design and concept of the UK location? Feedback from our other stores showed us how much customers value the interactive and community-focused elements of our stores. That's why we placed an even bigger focus on experience-driven features, such as the Magic Mirror and flexible product displays, for the London store. Kapten & Son London store. Credits: Kapten & Son. Is your D2C model evolving with the introduction of more brick-and-mortar stores? Yes, definitely. We've always been a D2C-first brand, but our own retail stores complement that perfectly by offering our community a physical space to engage with the brand. Both channels work hand-in-hand and allow us to deliver an even better overall customer journey. How do your retail partnerships and online presence complement your owned retail footprint? What is the current sales ratio between each channel? Our retail partnerships and e-commerce channels are essential to growing both brand awareness and accessibility. Our own stores allow us to present the full Kapten & Son brand experience, but our retail partners play a crucial role — especially in new markets. They help us reach new target groups and connect with customers who may not yet know our brand. In particular, partnering with established, trusted retailers gives Kapten & Son immediate credibility and trust in markets where we are still building awareness. The balance between online, own retail, and wholesale varies by region, but online continues to be a very strong pillar alongside our growing store network. Are there any geographies that are particularly performing very well? Are there any new markets that you have your eye on or have seen opportunities to expand in? Germany was our first and remains our largest market. But countries like the Netherlands, the UK, and France have shown excellent growth, which is why we are also opening our Experience Stores in these markets. We're also watching other European regions closely for the next phase of our expansion. Next to a retail expansion, is there anything else on the horizon for Kapten & Son? Yes, we're actively working on expanding and evolving our product range, especially within the backpack category for additional use cases and target groups. We also see exciting opportunities to launch new complementary product categories that fit naturally into our customers' everyday lives. This interview was conducted in writing.
