The £104m impact of French air-traffic control strikes revealed
Spain experienced the most significant delays, with Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona airports being the worst affected, and Ryanair cancelling the highest number of flights (718).
The union, ICNA, attributed the strike to "glaring staff shortages" and "toxic management", leading to widespread disruption that extended far beyond France.
The industrial action caused a substantial environmental impact, with an additional 3.75 million miles flown, burning 18,000 tons of fuel and generating 60,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, urged the European Commission to implement measures protecting overflights during national air-traffic control strikes to prevent similar future disruptions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Frequent fliers reveal tips for getting upgrades that actually work, including checking in at the last second
Forget dressing smartly or trying to charm flight attendants. Those tactics for getting upgraded on flights are myths. Instead, heed the advice here from frequent fliers who reveal tips that actually work for securing upgraded air travel. Our experts are Gilbert Ott, Founder of travel site Zach Griff, senior reporter at The Points Guy; and JT Genter, Editor-In-Chief of the AwardWallet blog. Read on and you'll learn why checking in at the last second can yield a better seat — but only on certain airlines. And why booking premium economy is one of the best ways of getting bumped up to business class. Booking tips for a seat at the pointy end If you can afford to book a premium economy seat, you've also landed yourself a good chance of being bumped up to business class, says Gilbert. He tells The Independent: "It's the smallest cabin on the plane and the one the airline wants to 'upsell' economy passengers into the most. "They love to oversell this cabin with upgrades, effectively selling a seat on the plane twice to someone. And since it's such a small cabin, here you're most likely to receive a complimentary bump to business or first class." If budget airlines are more your price point, Zach recommends checking in at the very last second. He explains: "If you're flying on one of the ultra-low-cost budget airlines such as Spirit or Ryanair, I typically recommend checking in at the last second. "They often fill their planes back-to-front and reserve the most premium seats until the last minute to see if they can convince people to upgrade to them. "If they end up going unsold, it's possible they might assign them to the last people checking in." Does the same trick work for more expensive airlines? It can, says Zach, but he warns that "those carriers often fill their better seats with elite members". Stay loyal Enroling in an airline loyalty program and staying loyal significantly increases your chances of a better seat. JT explains: "The best way to get an upgrade to business or first class is to be loyal to that airline. "Generally, upgrades are going to go to a program's elite members." Zach agrees, telling The Independent that rewards also include the ability to "reserve extra-legroom seats at no cost or at a highly discounted rate". The downside? "You'll need to spend thousands of dollars a year flying with that airline," says JT. Volunteer to take a later flight if yours is oversold — and negotiate an upgrade Gilbert reveals that Delta has offered passengers as much as $10,000 each to transfer from an oversold flight to a later one. And if there's no cash offer, negotiate for an upgrade. He adds: "Airlines regularly oversell flights, so letting them know at check-in and at the gate that you'd be very willing to volunteer — and holding out for a decent offer — is a great tactic." Collect air miles Collecting air miles through credit-card spending is one of the classic tactics to snare a more luxurious seat. Gilbert recommends the Bilt Reward Card as it "allows people to earn points for paying rent, typically the largest monthly expense, and there's no annual fee, so it's an easy way to jump into the game". He adds: "Plus, the more transactions and spend, the better your rewards." Zach is a fan of cards that allow customers to earn flexible travel points "that aren't aligned with a specific airline or hotel chain". He explains: "This way, you can transfer points to a partner airline or hotel.' Zach says that American Express, Chase and Capital One all offer cards with this feature. JT's pro tip here is to avoid spending thousands on existing cards and instead continually sign up to new cards to take advantage of sign-up bonuses. He says: "These bonuses will earn you points much faster than through everyday spending alone. "Done right, this strategy can help you earn hundreds of thousands of points each year. In fact, my wife and I have earned more than seven million points and miles through sign-up bonuses alone. "Just be mindful of card issuer application restrictions and be strategic about your card applications." Avoid peak season The magic months for the cheapest business-class flights are early November and December, and mid-late January and February, says Gilbert. He reveals: "These are low periods for airlines and airlines are willing to sell relatively cheap tickets — think $2,000 for a business-class London-to-New York round trip — if you're willing to book far in advance and accept no flexibility for changes or cancellation.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Spain battles severe floods as cars submerged and roads turned to rivers
Showing now | News 01:06 Spanish tourist hotspots have been hit by severe floods and thunderstorms. Footage shared by emergency services on Saturday (12 July), show Spanish streets transformed into rivers and cars submerged in water. A disaster relief unit of Spain's military was deployed to the northeastern city of Zaragoza after severe storms caused flooding across the province. Footage shared by the Military Emergencies Uni shows responders draining excess water and installing roadblocks to prevent further flooding. Spanish weather agency AEMET said there was high potential for flash floods in eight provinces, including Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona, and Castellón.
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
17 of the best rooftop bars in London
Whether on a sunny day or under a velvety night sky, the Big Smoke is a thing of beauty, and there are few better places to appreciate the seemingly endless sprawl than at one of its brilliant rooftop bars. Be it impromptu after-work team drinks or a big get-together that has been lighting up the group chat for months, you'll find a roof in the capital to suit, from sky-high odes to maximalist design in buzzy Soho to eclectic DJ sets and Med-inspired small plates high above the neon billboards in Shoreditch. Set the sat-nav for the City if you're looking for the kind of glass-walled glamour that invites slowly sipping something icy while watching the light bounce off skyscrapers. A little south, in Peckham, you'll find effortlessly cool design and menus without the kind of pretentiousness that sometimes accompanies them in other postcodes. Sundowners come with a garnish of prime people-watching, while King's Cross looks a lot more appealing from a bird's-eye perspective than from among the crowds thronging to trains. Wherever you choose, it's always a good idea to book ahead because the most coveted hang-outs fill up fast, and with good reason. Get ready to charge your glasses — these are the best rooftop bars in London — some of them housed in great hotels so you can really make the most of it. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue The trendy, tree-themed Treehouse hotel has the BBC building as a neighbour and Oxford Street round the corner. It's a funky base, particularly the low-lit, 16th-floor rooftop terrace, which is decked out in wood, comfy armchairs and hanging lanterns, with panoramic views over the London skyline. There are DJ sets on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and dogs are welcome every Sunday afternoon. The drinks list is biblical in length (must-tries include the citrussy melon sour) and there's an all-day menu with mezze and charcuterie boards, as well as pork belly bao buns and burgers. The Amano hotel puts you within easy reach of the best theatres in London, but you'll want to make time for a sundowner at its trendy rooftop bar before the curtain call. The seventh-floor terrace has top-notch views over the city — you can spot the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral and the Shard from your table — and the sunsets here are particularly pretty. There's live jazz every Thursday evening from September, and the unusual cocktails pack a punch (try the ginger spice, made with rum, ginger liqueur and liquorice bitters). The food is tapas style (ox cheek croquetas, tuna tostadas, pan con tomate), but if you're looking for a proper meal you'll want to head downstairs to Penelope's, the hotel's lively Spanish and Middle Eastern-style restaurant — the massive portions of baklava cheesecake are the highlight here. This elegant Japanese bar-restaurant has a retractable roof and a wraparound terrace with sprawling views over Belgravia, making it a popular (yet surprisingly peaceful) spot during the summer months and beyond. You won't find yourself perched on an uncomfortable stool here; instead it's all comfy cream sofas and sleek, plump-cushioned chairs. Cocktails are Japanese in style — many drinks are saké-based, including a properly refreshing sakura spritz made using apricot liqueur — and food is a real highlight, with sushi served alongside robata grill dishes such as spicy lamb chops with chilli sauce. Its name being a nod to the 19th-century flute maker once based on the same street, the Broadwick Soho hotel's rooftop bar has something of the Pied Piper about it, with its sumptuous, Martin Brudnizki-designed interiors and leafy alfresco terrace having attracted a devoted following. Featuring shimmering metallics and animal-print upholstery in botanical brights, the look is one described by Brudnizki as 'cocooned comfort with maximalist glamour'. Order a Peeping Tom — a blend of 12-year-old Santiago de Cuba rum, acai berry, oloroso sherry, black tea and bitters — and graze on refined comfort classics such as buttermilk fried chicken, all while enjoying views of Soho's fabled skyline. You can see as far as Hampstead Heath from the rooftop bar at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, one of glitziest London hotel openings of last year. ABar is just as swish as the rest of the hotel, packed with dramatic burgundy and gold tones, plush leather armchairs and a typically starry Mayfair crowd. The panoramic skyline views from the outdoor terrace area are the crowning glory, but the cocktails — themed by season, with a tangy tomato and olive number among the summer bunch — are excellent too. Live music performances (think cool London DJs and saxophonists) take place on Thursday and Saturday evenings. Note, though, that there's a £50pp minimum spend on food and drinks. This rooftop bar on the 15th floor of art'otel London Battersea Power Station is the place to be during the summer months, with DJ sets, flavour-packed Portuguese small plates (octopus with black aioli, pulled jackfruit, chicken piri skewers) and a cocktail list that includes cooling margarita slushies. Tables have 360-degree views over the Thames, Battersea Power Station and the hotel's 12.5m infinity pool; note, though, that the pool is only available to hotel guests. Read our full review of art'otel London Battersea Power Station Open since summer 2024, Kaso feels like the kind of place you'd congratulate yourself for having discovered on a getaway in Athens, say, or Izmir, perhaps. Happily, though, you'll only have to travel as far as the verdant seventh-floor terrace of the One Hundred Shoreditch hotel to enjoy similar sun-soaked Mediterranean and Aegean vibes, with a little added East End edge. Come for the cocktails — signature pour Kasonist is a heady muddle of Grey Goose vodka, Greek wine and watermelon — and stay for the DJs and flavour-packed small plates by the Istanbul-born chef Ilknur Celik. On Fridays and Saturdays the party goes on till 1am. • Best hotels in London with pools• Best UK hotels with outdoor pools The clock tower, solemn statues and faded white dome of St Paul's Cathedral feel within touching distance of this garden-themed rooftop bar. Located on the seventh floor of Leonardo Royal Hotel, Sabine opened in 2021, and thanks to its relative newness it remains less crowded than neighbouring drinking spots. If there are no vacant tables on the outdoor terrace, the floor-to-ceiling windows and retractable roof of the interior ensure that the cathedral is always within sight, while the foliage-draped circular bar offers a front-row vantage point for watching bartenders mix up theatrical smoking cocktails and frozen twists on negronis. The Standard hotel group's first foray outside the United States brought them to London to take over the brutalist former Camden Town Hall Annex. In keeping with the fun, 1970s theme of the bedrooms, the Astroturf rooftop — open seasonally — has baby-pink banquettes and close-up views of the red-brick spires and gothic revival façade of St Pancras station. Cocktails on tap include Spicy Tommy's margaritas, with slushy Aperol spritzes for warm days. Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, the celebrated chef of Decimo, located on the tenth floor, has a hand in the menu of the bright red food truck that serves Mexican-inspired bites here. Skip through Selfridges' fragrance section to a dedicated lift that zooms you to a slice of Sicily as glamorous as the designer labels on the shop floors below. The rooftop restaurant and bar is so pretty that it's easy to forgive the lack of views; ceiling beams strung with faux lemons and white blossoms, shuttered windows and a retractable roof for sunny days create an Italian oasis. Aperol spritzes and bellini Venezianas grace the drinks list, while an extensive food menu covers favourites from lobster ravioli to grilled artichokes with mint sauce. We couldn't not mention this East London staple and its blooming brilliant rooftop garden. Tables are surrounded by crab apple, hazel and birch trees, so the view beyond them comes with added surprise factor — glance past the leaves and you'll spot the Gherkin and other gleaming skyscrapers. Cocktail garnishes are picked from the garden itself — botanic-inspired specials include a tangy 'sweet cicely sour' — and much of the food comes from the Culpeper Family Farm in Deptford. It's all delicious, so tables get booked up far in advance: eat up the views alongside lamb ribs and chops cooked on the grill, mackerel pâté on toast, and a smashing Rooftop Mess meringue dessert that uses wild strawberries from the garden. At the top of a bubblegum-pink staircase in a multistorey car park, Frank's Café has become a summer stalwart in south London. First opened in 2009 by the not-for-profit organisation Bold Tendencies as a sculpture exhibition space and café, the rooftop spot has returned each year to showcase different artists. That aside, come for the brunches and negronis with a backdrop of the Shard and City skyscrapers. What the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf lack in neighbourhood charm, they make up for in unforgettable views. Based in the Novotel hotel, Bokan has taken over floors 37 to 39 and has some of the most impressive vistas in the city. On the 37th floor, the stylish industrial restaurant has been awarded two AA rosettes for its European take on dishes such as Herefordshire beef and rabbit tagine. On clear days, time your visit to the 39th-floor roof terrace and gin bar to coincide with the sunset — thanks to the west-facing position you will catch the last rays of the day over the Thames, South Bank and towering buildings of the City. • Best free things to do in London• Best things to do in London This former car park has been repurposed as an adults' playground, with almost every inch of its open-air space full of distractions. Watch classic films from a giant deckchair at the outdoor cinema or flex your competitive muscles with the baseball batting cages, archery targets, crazy golf or lawn bowls. Big groups are well catered for with brightly coloured benches and food trucks that serve burgers, fried chicken, Turkish pide and kebabs. Drinks such as Sunset Fizz — a muddle of passion fruit, vodka and prosecco — promise a sugar rush. Thanks to its location on the ninth floor of Hyatt Place London City East, at the edge of the City, PocketSquare offers some of the best views of the Square Mile skyline. The outdoor space wraps around the central bar, which is under cover should it rain. There are only a handful of seats, so get there early to enjoy cold beers and cocktails inspired by its east London location. And if you need some late-night nibbles, the curry houses of Brick Lane are just a short stroll away. Housed in the grade I listed shell of a former church, the stained glass windows of Mercato Mayfair make it the most visually arresting food hall you'll find anywhere. But without air conditioning, it gets pretty stuffy in the summer. So instead, grab your craft beer, gin cocktail or chilled glass of rosé and head for the roof, where you can survey the fine architecture around you from the courtyard-style terrace. Need more chill? There's also an ice-cream counter with deliciously creamy gelato. Located on the seventh-floor rooftop of the citizenM Tower of London hotel, cloudM overlooks the historic landmark from its open-air terrace. There's no outdoor furniture here, opening up the space for more people to take in the views. If it's chilly or you simply want to kick back, there's also indoor space where you can lounge on comfy couches or upholstered armchairs. The food menu is mostly nibbles, but when it comes to drinks the extensive gin-based cocktail list is ideal for summer days. Additional reporting by Qin Xie and Faith Strickland • Best boutique hotels in London• London heatwave: 14 places to keep cool Have we missed any? Share your recommendations in the comments
