logo
Flights axed from top UK airport as European airline ditches popular route with 6 trips a week

Flights axed from top UK airport as European airline ditches popular route with 6 trips a week

The Sun2 days ago
DIRECT flights between Birmingham and Brussels have been scrapped.
Brussels Airlines has announced it will stop direct journeys between the two cities this autumn, with the last flight departing on October 31, 2025.
4
4
The airline has been operating six flights a week from Birmingham Airport to Brussels, but these will end in the winter.
A spokesperson for Brussels Airlines told Sun Travel: "As like many airlines, we constantly review our network. At the beginning of every season, some destinations might see higher frequencies and we might decrease capacity to some other markets.
"In that light, we have indeed decided not to offer Birmingham anymore as of winter 25.
"We remain active on other routes in the United Kingdom, such as Manchester (13 flights weekly) and London Heathrow (20 flights weekly) and Edinburgh."
The 70-minute route was reinstated in October 2024 after being halted during the summer period - but will be axed again.
Currently, Brussels Airlines is the only carrier connecting Birmingham directly with the Belgian capital.
Going forward, travellers from Birmingham will have to fly to the likes of Frankfurt and take a connecting flight to Brussels.
Another option is to depart from Birmingham to Munich and connect from there.
Around 820,000 British tourists visit Brussels every year, to see classic sights like the Grand Place and the Maison du Roi.
There's tasty food to be tried there too like moules-frites (mussels and fries) as well as Belgian waffles and of course, Belgian chocolate.
Discover the Best of Brussels in 60 Seconds
4
Last year, another Belgian city was named the best one to visit from the UK by train.
Consumer champions Which? asked holidaymakers to rate cities that were less than a seven-hour train journey from London.
Bruges in Belgium bagged the top spot, with a score of 85 per cent.
Factors included were food and drink, accommodation, cultural sights and attractions and value for money.
An overall score was then worked out for each city, based on overall satisfaction and likeliness to recommend other people.
Taking a train to Bruges from London St Pancras International takes three-and-a-half hours.
People surveyed praised Bruges for its chocolate shops and cafes, giving it four out of five stars for its food and drink.
Plus, here's more on the new European train that goes through seven countries and costs just £99 - and it starts in Brussels.
And another Belgian city that has the 'best beer in the world'.
4
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Europe's best holiday city revealed - with incredible views, £1.30 pizza and cheap flights from the UK
Europe's best holiday city revealed - with incredible views, £1.30 pizza and cheap flights from the UK

Daily Mail​

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Europe's best holiday city revealed - with incredible views, £1.30 pizza and cheap flights from the UK

Europe's best holiday city has been revealed, with voters praising the idyllic location for its incredible views, budget-friendly pizza and affordable flights from the UK. In a new survey conducted by luxury magazine Travel + Leisure, readers cast votes for their favourite worldwide city, with the Italian hotspot of Florence taking the crown as Europe's most loved. Frequented by between 10 and 16million holidaymakers each year, sunseekers eagerly flock to the Tuscan city due to its rich Renaissance art and architecture, walkable city center and delicious food. Described by Travel + Leisure as a 'must-see thanks to its 'artistic treasures', 'superlative shopping' and 'wide selection of hotels', Florence, often known simply as 'The Beautiful', gained an overall reader score of 90.08. Taking the top spot in Europe and 11th in the world, Florence even beat the popular European cities of Seville, Spain, Instanbul, Turkey and fellow Italian city of Rome. Once named by SerSace as 'the most beautiful city in the world', travellers seeking a romantic European getaway are in luck due to its historical charm and picturesque scenery. Visitors can gaze at some of the world's most gorgeous architecture, including the Duomo cathedral, which even contains its own piazza. Meanwhile, the Pagliazza Tower, which dates back to the sixth or seventh century, acts as one of Europe's most captivating squares. Florence is frequented by between 10 and 16million holidaymakers each year, with sunseekers eagerly flocking to the Tuscan city due to its rich Renaissance art and architecture, walkable city center and delicious food Once named by SerSace as 'the most beautiful city in the world', travellers seeking a romantic European getaway are in luck due to its historical charm and picturesque scenery For those looking to further indulge themselves in the Tuscan culture, the city is also home to some of the world's most iconic and historic artwork, including pieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. The Galleria dell 'Accademia di Firenze, the location of Michelangelo's David, is a five-metre-high marble sculpture that serves as one the world's most famous artistic masterpieces. From the gallery, it is just a seven minute stroll to the city's 1200's cathedral, a major feature of Florence's skyline. The city's iconic medieval bridge - Ponte Vecchio, is one of Florence's most visited attractions. It was the only bridge in Florence to survive WWII and is famed for the shops that line its sides. Food lovers will also be surprised by how easily tourists can get their hands on a slice of authentic Italian pizza for just £1.50, while pasta dishes can also be bought for a mere £5. Famous for its gelato, signature local deliacies include the negroni cocktail and ribollita soup. Just last week, Florence was named the world's most walkable city due to its compact layout and pedestrian-friendly streets. Research undertaken by financial website Insider Monkey saw Florence race to the top spot, surpassing locations such as Madrid, Porto and Hamburg. Food lovers will also be surprised by how easily tourists can get their hands on a slice of authentic Italian pizza for just £1.50, while pasta dishes can also be bought for a mere £5. Flights from the UK run daily and from £44, with a flight time of just two hours With high praise awarded for its 'history and timeless architecture', the city was said to be explorable within just a two-hour window, as its hidden gems are easily accessible by foot. The study also spoke favourably about the city's good air quality and safety levels. Accessing the charming city from the UK could also not be easier, with daily flights from London's Heathrow Airport to Florence-Peretola Airport launching in 2023. With a flight time of just two hours and return fares starting from £44, there are up to 69 flights from the UK running a week, according to Skyscanner. Indeed, for those based outside of the capital, several other UK airports also offer direct routes to the nearby Italian city of Pisa, just an hour's train ride away. It is even possible to get to Florence by train from the UK. Simply hop on the Eurostar to Paris before making a change to Milan and then catching a final train to Florence.

How to holiday safely this summer under the Mediterranean sun
How to holiday safely this summer under the Mediterranean sun

BBC News

time4 hours ago

  • BBC News

How to holiday safely this summer under the Mediterranean sun

The Mediterranean is synonymous with sunshine, but intensifying heatwaves are spoiling holidays and even claiming lives. Here's how you can still enjoy its stunning destinations – safely. Georgia Fowkes considered herself a seasoned traveller. As an advisor for Altezza Travel, she was used to navigating sweltering environments, from East Africa to Southern California. But surrounded by whitewashed buildings and ancient ruins in Greece while dripping with sweat, she was miserable. "A European heatwave hits differently," she said. "The kind [of heat] that cancels your plans, fries your brain and makes you rethink why you booked a rooftop hotel in July." In recent years, many of the Mediterranean's iconically sunny destinations like Italy, Greece, France and Spain have become increasingly besieged by devastating heatwaves, leading unsuspecting tourists to come up with creative solutions to keep cool."Our hotel had AC technically, but it groaned like a dying fan and gave up by mid-afternoon," said Fowkes. "The tap water came out warm. There were no blackout curtains. I tried sleeping with a wet towel on my chest and a bottle of frozen water under my knees and still woke up dizzy. At one point, I moved my pillow to the stairwell and lay on the tiles like a Victorian fainting lady because that was the only surface remotely cool." Travellers wandering through the Mediterranean's winding alleyways and descending on its turquoise seas this summer have found little reprieve; several scorching heatwaves have already brought record-busting temperatures, leading to a spike in heat-related health problems and even deaths across Europe. "The line of the tropics has literally moved," explained Nick Cavanaugh, a climate scientist and founder of Sensible Weather, a climate risk technology company. "There are all these circulation patterns around the world and the ones that surround the tropics are actually growing." More extreme temperatures are predicted across southern Europe this weekend, just as the European holiday season comes to its peak. Dr Olalekan Otulana, a doctor at Cassiobury Court in the UK feels that tourists may be particularly susceptible to overheating, as many of the activities that travellers enjoy on holiday, such as walking tours through cobblestoned villages, long nature hikes and wine tastings, can exacerbate heat-related illnesses. "Extreme heat can be deceptively dangerous," he said. "Especially when people are on holiday and naturally more relaxed about their usual routines." Short of taking your summer holidays further north, here are some expert travel tips for enjoying the Mediterranean sunshine – safely. Choose your accommodations wisely It's not uncommon to find businesses, Airbnbs and even train stations in southern Europe that are completely without air conditioning – a fact that might take many non-European travellers by surprise. "Electricity has always been very expensive in Italy," said Andrea Moradei, founder of Vinarium, a Florence-based wine and culture tourism company. "We all grew up trying to conserve energy. You learn from a young age to only keep the windows open from late evening until 21:00. You use shutters and curtains [to keep cool during the day.]." Moradei recommended that travellers to southern Europe choose accommodations that stay cool naturally – like historical structures made of stone or brick, which were designed to absorb heat during the day, or hilltop lodgings that feature exterior shutters and cross ventilation for night-time air flow. Do as the locals do – relax after lunch The hours after lunchtime are often the hottest of the day, which offer travellers an invitation to embrace their inner Mediterranean and take a siesta, or break. "As [we do] in many Mediterranean countries, try to limit your activities in the afternoon," Moradei advised. "You can't fill your days with so many different activities because it's too hot. Take a cue from the locals… let some of the hours of the day slip away." In Spain, Italy and Greece, many shops and restaurants close after lunch (typically until 17:00) while residents retreat to the quiet of their homes. Hanging out in your hotel may seem like a waste of precious holiday time, but even a quick power nap can improve your stamina; crucial when dealing with debilitating heat. Taking a siesta doesn't have to mean sleeping, either. In Italy, the lazy post-prandial hours are referred to as the pausa pranzo (lunch break) and are seen as a way to recharge during a demanding day and, on weekends, digest an epic lunch. Catch up on your reading or plot your next meals. Smart sightseeing While it's tempting to pack in as many activities as possible on holiday – especially if you only have a few days abroad – experts recommend adopting a leisurely, energy-conserving pace and prioritising indoor activities during the worst heat of the day. When Whitney Haldeman – founder of Atlas Adventures, a luxury travel group for women – faced extreme heat on one of her trips to southern France, she said the group "shifted sightseeing to earlier in the morning, prioritised long lunches in spots with shade or aircon, built in daily rest time and leaned into slower, more sensory experiences: like wine tastings in cool cellars or floating in the hotel pool." Museums and historic churches are generally well-ventilated, so you can still come face to face with ancient relics and religious treasures without putting yourself at risk. Know the signs of heatstroke Nothing spoils a holiday like an unexpected visit to an emergency health clinic, so recognising the danger signs of heat exhaustion can be crucial. "With heat exhaustion, people may notice feeling dizzy, excessively sweating or feeling nauseous," said Dr Otulana. "If it progresses to heat stroke, symptoms become more serious and can include confusion and loss of consciousness as well as severe headache. There can also be a lack of sweating despite feeling hot. The body's temperature regulation system essentially shuts down and their temperature can rise above 40C, which risks organ damage." Otulana advises that travellers drink water regularly, even if they're feeling well. "Hydration is critical," said Dr Otulana. "So, maintain consistent fluid intake throughout the day." Haldeman recalled how her tour group frantically sought relief during their French holiday. "Hydration tablets, portable fans and breezy natural fabrics became essential," she said. "One guest brought a battery-powered fan we all envied by day two [of our trip]." It may be tempting to brush off heatstroke warnings – particularly if you are visiting the Mediterranean expressly to enjoy its famous sunshine. But "extreme heat hijacks your whole trip", Fowkes cautions after her own bout with the region's extreme weather. "I [don't] care how pretty the view is – everyone did the same shuffle: find mist machines, hide in grocery stores, count down the hours until after dark. We weren't sightseeing. We were surviving." --

Huge Traveller fleet has set up camp outside our homes…they leave rubbish everywhere & want to buy my dog for £250
Huge Traveller fleet has set up camp outside our homes…they leave rubbish everywhere & want to buy my dog for £250

The Sun

time6 hours ago

  • The Sun

Huge Traveller fleet has set up camp outside our homes…they leave rubbish everywhere & want to buy my dog for £250

A HUGE traveller fleet has set up camp outside taxpayers' homes, leaving "stinking" piles of rubbish scattered around a much-loved park, locals claim. Dozens of caravans and other vehicles arrived at Swanshurst Park on the border of Moseley, Birmingham, last Sunday (July 20). 8 8 8 It's the fifth such incursion at the same spot this year - and angry residents say this one is the biggest yet. People say they're annoyed the council regularly clears away the group's rubbish with the city in the midst of a months-long bin collection strike. One resident claims a traveller keeps trying to buy his designer French bulldog for £250. The Friends of Swanshurst Park Facebook group says the travellers gained access by moving a large log and driving in past bike racks. Mum-of-two Rabai Tahir, who lives opposite the park, moved to the UK from Dubai with her husband five years ago and is 'astonished' travellers are allowed to keep coming back. They leave lots of rubbish bags and some of it stinks. It's cleaned up by my council tax money. I don't allow my kids to go over to the play park when they're there. We don't know who they are. Rabai TahirLocal resident and mum-of-two 'They leave lots of rubbish bags and some of it stinks,' she told The Sun. 'It's cleaned up by my council tax money. "I don't allow my kids to go over to the play park when they're there. We don't know who they are. 'It's shocking for me and my husband that people can stay here for weeks. It's a community park.' Sandra Cotterill has lived opposite the park for 19 years. She said: 'I've had no trouble with them, they never bother me. Some people don't want to take their kids and dogs there." However, she is annoyed that the local authority makes such an effort to clear the group's rubbish when thousands in the city have seen their own rubbish pile up for months. Inside Birmingham's bin wars as strikes see streets overrun with RATS and piles of rotting food and rubbish are left to fester Sandra said: 'They bag up all the rubbish and the council cleans it all away. "We're paying our taxes, and we can't get our bin bags picked up, but they get theirs taken.' Birmingham has been hit by long-running bin strikes. Piles of rubbish have been seen in parts of the city since bin collection workers walked out in January. Sandra's neighbour, who has lived in the area for 40 years and walks her dogs in the park, said residents are getting fed up with different traveller groups constantly coming and going. The woman, who did not want to be named, said: 'They clear them off and a week later another different group comes here. "I keep away from them, they take over the park really. We're all just fed up. 'Travellers move the logs. We need a permanent solution to stop them coming onto the park. "The amount of money the council must spend tidying up is ridiculous.' Another man who, who says he's been offered money for his pet, added: 'They're all right, they're not bad people and I've got Irish in my family. 2025 Birmingham bin strike The Birmingham bin strike is an ongoing stand off between refuse workers and Birmingham City Council over pay and the removal of roles. It started in January 2025 and full scale industrial action was then taken from March 11, involving members of Unite union. The same month, the local authority declared a major incident after 17,000 tonnes of rubbish were left uncollected on the city's streets. In April, the government was forced to call in Army specialists to provide logistical support. This month, Unite said it would review its relationship with the Labour Party after the government expressed support for the council amid the strike. According to reports, lower income areas, including Sparkhill, Balsall Heath, Small Heath, Sparkbrook and Ladywood have suffered the greatest compared to more affluent suburbs like Harborne and Edgbaston. On Friday (July 25), a second megapicket co-ordinated by Strike Map started across several parts of Birmingham, involving 26 organisations from across the trade union movement, in support of the striking workers. Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn urged Birmingham City Council to 'get a deal now' as more piles of rubbish were left uncollected. 'I don't like the mess though and my kids can't use the park when they're around.' One resident, a new mum, added: 'They make a mess, but it doesn't bother me. A lot of people here don't like it because the park is for children and it restricts them from using it.' This week the admin of the volunteer-run Swanshurst Park Facebook group posted: 'Spent another couple of hours clearing up litter round the Park. "I'm fairly sure that some of it was nothing to do with the Travellers and had been dropped last night by other people traversing the Park. 'Had some good interactions with some of the women who thanked me for my efforts and assured they would bag up their rubbish. "We will see but I am sure it will be better than on previous occasions. "Some of the children wanted to help me and I am sure this must be the way forward to get a dialogue going.' A council spokesperson said: " Birmingham City Council is committed to actively protecting its land and will take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach upon it. "The council has useable transit sites and plots for use by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community – which is in line with Government policy – and details of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment carried out and updated in 2019 can be found on our website." 8 8 8 8 8

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store