Ryanair says passengers are ‘suffering' in 2.5 hour queues due to Portuguese border control delays
Ryanair has blasted Portuguese border control, saying its passengers have 'suffered' through long delays or have missed flights due to staff shortages.
The budget airline carrier called on the Portuguese government to 'urgently fix' border control staff shortages at some of the country's busiest airports, including Faro, Lisbon and Porto.
Ryanair said that passengers, many of whom are travelling with young families, are 'suffering' due to unnecessary border control delays of up to two and a half hours.
The airline added that over the last two weeks alone, from 26 May to 9 June, over 270 passengers travelling from Faro, Lisbon or Porto airports have missed their flights.
It blames this on border control delays due to a lack of staff. The airline has called on the government to adequately staff border control, especially during the peak morning period.
Ryanair's COO, Neal McMahon said said that the staff shortages are 'unacceptable'.
'Over 270 passengers have missed their flights just because the airport operator, ANA, has not ensured that adequate staff are in place to manage border control at Faro, Lisbon, and Porto Airports – some of Portugal's main airports,' he added.
'This is not good enough, and the problem will only worsen as we go further into the summer season and traffic numbers increase.'
Mr McMahon said that Ryanair calls on the new government 'to urgently intervene' so that 'Portuguese families will not be forced to suffer 2.5-hour-long queues just to get away on their well-deserved holidays.'
Ryanair's statement comes a week after Faro Airport announced it would roll out e-gate access for British arrivals.
Faro is a popular destination for Brits to visit, being the gateway to the Algarve region, dotted with golf courses and long, sandy beaches backed by dramatic cliffs.
The UK government expects that British holidaymakers in their 'millions' will be able to use e-gate technology this summer.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer struck the deal last month. He said that 'for holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos'.
However, British passengers at Faro Airport say they are still caught up in long queues of nearly half an hour at border control.
Francisco Vieira Pita, director of ANAl, told local media last month that border control authorities are in the process of updating the Internal Security System (SSI).
'That upgrade is, in fact, causing longer wait times in some cases. ANA is working closely with the relevant authorities to minimise the impact on passengers' experience,' he said.
According to local press, Portugal's PSP police force announced it would be deploying 500 new officers to boost border control in Portuguese airports by July, hoping to fix the issue amid the summer tourist boom.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
17 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Shoppers go wild for ‘excellent' paddling pool for less than a tenner and perfect for the hot weather
Brits will be looking for ways to cool down as the country is set to sizzle in temperatures of up to 29C HOT STUFF Shoppers go wild for 'excellent' paddling pool for less than a tenner and perfect for the hot weather SHOPPERS are going wild over an 'excellent' paddling pool selling for less than £10 which is perfect for the hot weather this weekend. Brits will be looking for ways to cool down as the country is set to sizzle in temperatures of up to 29C from today and into next week. 1 John Lewis Credit: John Lewis With the hot weather likely on their minds, shoppers are rushing to John Lewis to snap up a children's paddling pool selling for just £8.99. The Funsicle Colour Pop 4ft Paddling Pool is proving a big hit customers, with those who have already bought it giving it a five-star rating. One review on the John Lewis website reads: 'Excellent quality. We purchased this to use in our home as a ball pit, after our 8 month old son punctured the last one with his teeth! 'So far it's passed the strength test. He loves it! Easy to blow up with the device supplied. 10/10.' Another shopper described it as a 'great little paddling pool'. They wrote: "Good quality. Quick to fill. We purchased for our seventh month old grandson and he absolutely loves it. "Perfect size and reasonably sturdy.' The retailer's website says it's a 'trending' product, with a surge in the number of people adding it to their basket in the last 48 hours. The pool measures 45 x 12 inches, and is available to buy both in-store and online. However, customers who purchase online may be charged a £4.50 delivery fee, as free delivery is only available for orders over £50. Other bargain hot weather buys If you're looking for other ways to cool down as the temperatures ramp up, we've recently rounded up the cheapest places to buy fans, with prices starting at £1.50. Poundland is selling a 4-inch desk fan for just £3 - one of the cheapest options around. Asda has handheld fans for £1.50 and 9-inch desk fan for £15 if you're after something bigger. Elsewhere, Lidl is selling a £4.99 flower that will bloom even in a drought. The French Lavender plant is set to arrive in stores on June 19, and is perfecting for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden while being able to withstand the hot summer temperatures. If you're shopping for any heatwave-proof products, remember to shop around to make sure you're getting the best deal. You can use comparison sites like Trolley and Price Spy to cross-check prices on thousands of products. The Google Shopping/Product tab will show you what different retailers across the internet are selling a product for too. How to stay safe in hot weather The UK Health Security Agency advised you follow these tips to reduce your risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke: Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm If you are going to do a physical activity like exercising or walking the dog, plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun If you go outside, cover up with light clothing, a hat and sunglasses and slather on sun cream Drink plenty of fluids but limit booze Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you Source: UKHSA Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Wales Online
21 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Brits dedicate over 7 hours to holiday preparations, ticking off an extensive 30-task checklist
Brits dedicate over 7 hours to holiday preparations, ticking off an extensive 30-task checklist A survey of 2,000 adults revealed the top things we do before every holiday - and it's no wonder we're all exhausted before we've even stepped foot on the plane Brits have an extensive list of tasks to get through before their holiday (Image: Getty Images ) Holiday-goers have revealed their extensive pre-trip rituals, which include getting a fresh haircut, obsessively checking the weather forecast, and arranging plant care. Other common chores involve doing a large load of laundry, packing an abundance of snacks 'just in case', and changing bed sheets ready for returning home. Many travellers also fill their tablets or e-readers with films, books, games, or podcasts; clear out the fridge; and stock up on travel-sized toiletries. Packing and unpacking multiple times, weighing suitcases, and double-checking that their passport is packed are also parts of the process. According to a survey, these pre-holiday preparations take an average of seven-and-a-half hours, but a third of respondents said they enjoy the process. Millennials took an average of nine hours to get ready for their holiday (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below Women typically spend seven hours and 57 minutes preparing, while men take slightly less time at six hours and 59 minutes. A significant number even take leave from work specifically to organise everything ahead of their holiday. This trend is more common among younger adults, with 77% of Gen Z and Millennials admitting they've taken time off to prepare for a holiday. Millennials also spend the longest time preparing for a trip, averaging nine hours and 14 minutes, reports the Daily Star. Zoe Fidler of which sponsored the research, remarked: "Between work, childcare, DIY projects and endless life admin, actually booking a holiday often ends up as a last-minute task – bringing with it the stress of wondering if you've missed out on the best deals." Ready for a challenge to get you in the holiday mood? Are you able to spot the 10 essential items in this busy beach scene? Findings from the survey showed that 54% of participants view themselves as well-organised, getting their affairs in order well before their trip. Yet, 25% confess they 'massively' overpack, and 21% leave at least some of their pre-holiday preparations until the last minute. Article continues below Zoe added: "We know that preparing for a holiday can be time consuming, stressful and expensive - but worth it in the end, which is why we commissioned this research to fully understand what Brits need from their summer getaway. "We firmly believe it's never too late to book a getaway and our booking data shows this happens more often than you think." TOP 30 HOLIDAY PREPARATION TASKS:
Fashion United
25 minutes ago
- Fashion United
Inside Mori's 10-year growth playbook: Physical retail, pre-school expansion and US localisation
Now in its 10th year, Mori has its ambitions set on being more than just a babywear brand. Last month, the company made such a mission known by making its first acquisition: Kidly, another British label but for pre-school children. Now, Mori is also growing its retail network with the opening of a new store in Hampstead this summer, bringing its UK store count to four. To learn more about Mori's growth plans, FashionUnited spoke to Akin Onal, founder and CEO of the brand. After a career in investment banking and management consulting, Onal transitioned to textiles to pursue his creative interests. Drawing upon Turkey's rich textile heritage, he identified a promising niche in kidswear, a segment that offers the potential of a loyal customer base, a key factor in his business strategy. Since the inception of Mori, Onal has maintained close relationships with the artisans who produce the brand's distinctive materials, which he believes have become a primary driver of customer loyalty. Mori founder and CEO, Akin Onal. Credits: Mori. Expansion into pre-school category extends Mori's lifetime value Up until now, Mori's focus has been largely on baby apparel. However, with Kidly under Mori's wing, Onal and his team are expanding their horizons to the pre-school category, aligning with the company's aim of becoming an all encompassing childrenswear brand. This idea to foster long-term relationships with parents throughout their child's early years contributes to Onal's strategy of extending the lifetime value of each family within a direct-to-consumer business model. 'If we can have products for every member of that family, then our relevance increases, meaning at any given purchase, your average basket size increases because the parent may buy for the baby, but also get a T-shirt for their five-year-old,' Onal noted. With this in mind, Kidly's offering of apparel for two to six year olds aptly adds to what had initially been Mori's very sleep-focused offering for zero to two year olds. Not only that, but the two labels shared a similar audience, a one that is as design-focused as they are sustainable, a fundamental quality that drove Onal towards an acquisition. The decision to takeover another company had followed the turbulence of the pandemic, when a huge boom in new online businesses was then swiftly followed by a waning of demand. Only some brands were able to shine through. Mori was one of those names, having grown four times over in just a few years due to its forethought to not depend too heavily on social media, its online presence and a promise of quick fulfillment. 'You need other ways of driving traffic to your brand,' Onal noted. Mori Ribbed Clever Zip Sleepsuit. Credits: Mori. This decision to be less reliant on online traffic forms one of Mori's strategic pillars alongside expanding its wholesale business, a feat already evident in partnerships with British retailers like Next and Marks & Spencer. The US also represents an important strategic pillar for Mori. The brand is available in the region both online and through relevant wholesalers like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's. US market presents opportunities despite uncertainty surrounding trade Mori strategically expanded into the US market to attract "European-curious" consumers, particularly in coastal states like New York and California, which generate approximately 70 percent of its online revenue. Although US consumers have shown interest in international brands through Mori's regional e-commerce platform, launched in 2018, they prioritise localisation and quick delivery. This preference prompted Mori to establish a warehouse in New Jersey. Recent US tariffs imposed by president Donald Trump have, however, complicated global trade and forced companies to reconsider their US market strategies and supply chains. Although Mori's predominantly Turkey-based production mitigates the direct impact of these tariffs on its operations, the fundamental issue, according to Onal, is the misalignment of such restrictions with the current globalised production model. Mori NCR store. Credits: Mori. Factories in production-heavy countries, like China, one of the hardest hit regions by stringent tariffs, specialise in the kinds of materials Mori needs for its products, such as high-quality recycled polyester that is imperative to new growth categories eyed by Mori, like swimwear. Additionally, Chinese factories are accustomed to the rigorous US testing standards, which presents a challenge to business flexibility. 'Tariff wars don't make sense because that's not how the world is built anymore. You have specialised factories that you can't just pull out from in China and move to India in three months. They need to have an ecosystem growing around them,' Onal noted, before affirming that there was a need to stay agile. 'We are having to change our purchase orders, moving more to the UK, where our website will have a lot more products compared to that of the US.' Onal added: 'Luckily, Mori manufactures mainly out of Turkey, and about two-thirds of our collection are continuity, so we don't rely on bringing new prints out every single week to the market in order to reach our audience. That really helps make us a bit more resilient to these changes.' Mori affirms commitment to retail as 'stamp of approval by customer' Another strategic pillar for Mori is its mission to build up its retail presence. With the opening of its fourth store in the UK this summer, it appears Mori is well on the way in this regard. After expanding into the physical retail market in 2019, Mori experienced strong demand in this space, even during the pandemic. 'If you're an online-first brand, having a physical presence is your stamp of approval by the customer on continuity,' Onal noted. 'They are making long-term decisions. Trust is so key in our category, so that stamp of approval is really important.' Mori NCR store. Credits: Mori. After pandemic restrictions were lifted, retail became Mori's most profitable channel, pushing the team to hone in on its retail design and concept. Where its stores are situated is decided upon data that tracks where an increasing number of families are inhabiting and the number of prams – or 'prams per capita', as Onal calls it – the Mori team counts in a certain area. This has helped the company narrow down hot spots for store opportunities, with London's Hampstead representing exactly that. Here, Mori's retail vision is to be brought to life. The format ensures that shoppers can be directed to the exact category they need, while also keeping in mind those shopping for gifts. The trajectory of Mori's retail expansion is reflective of a strong baby and childrenswear market in the UK, despite the challenging period retailers find themselves in. While the 'Covid baby boom' has statistically been less heightened as initially anticipated, any changes Onal saw in demand were actually in shopping habits. Brands that have come out on top are able to cater to a consumer that is making more considered, value-driven decisions, something Mori has been able to achieve through products that prioritise longevity. The brand's sleeping bags, for example, come with built in features like size adjustments, allowing it to remain with the child for a longer period of time. 'This was key from both a sustainability point of view and the user experience point of view,' Onal said. 'Our sleeping bags are not the cheapest in the market, but when you calculate the price per wear, they're actually cheaper than mass market products. Mori clever zip sleepsuit. Credits: Mori. An interesting category for Mori now is footwear, one Kidly was already well versed in and will therefore aid in its counterpart's continued expansion. 'This will pretty much automatically allow Mori to speak to a 30 percent larger audience through an already strong brand, rather than having to start creating an authority in footwear,' Onal noted. The company has also been investing heavily in the 'Pyjama Project'. The initiative set out to infuse bolder, character-heavy prints with Mori's staple identity, while also elevating the use of specialised durable model fabrics that intend to provide 'even more longevity'. Elsewhere, it's still early days for Mori's next acquisition. Onal confirmed the company was looking at certain targets, including some in the US, but it had not yet committed to the process, and instead is prioritising a slow, thought-out means of growth. This also applies to potential geographies. In the Middle East, for example, a strong, valuable fan base is growing. However, to directly serve this market would require a localised warehouse, and complications surrounding trade make this a path that is not in the foreseeable future, just yet. For now, then, Mori will remain focused on its two core markets: the UK and US, continuing to enact its meticulous approach to business as it expands its childrenswear foothold.
