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The hidden gem location in Italy you can visit to avoid all the crowds - as BA launches new flight route to beauty spot

The hidden gem location in Italy you can visit to avoid all the crowds - as BA launches new flight route to beauty spot

Daily Mail​23-04-2025

British Airways is launching new flights to a gorgeous Italian region known as the country's quiet alternative to Tuscany.
The flag carrier will offer flights to Rimini, a seaside resort in the Emilia-Romagna region, three times per week.
Flights will depart from London Heathrow on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays with the first leaving on May 15.
BA has said the flights will operate throughout the summer season until September 27 with prices starting from £131.
The airline describes Rimini as 'an old city full of charm' that's 'known for sandy beaches and the Adriatic sea'.
It adds: 'Those in search of beach holidays can enjoy more than 15km of beach along the seafront, while night owls can soak up the city's vibrant nightlife.'
When it comes to history, BA recommends visiting the Arch of Augustus, built in around 27BC, and the Tiberius Bridge, which dates back to the first century AD.
Children will love Rimini's 'Italia in Miniatura' theme park which has 273 miniature models of Italian monuments.
Tourists will also have access to the wider Emilia-Romagna region, which Rough Guides has described as 'Tuscany without the crowds'.
Holidaymakers can reach Bologna, known as Italy's food capital, by train in around an hour.
And if you're looking for a real adventure, you can even tick another country off your bucket list on a trip to Rimini.
San Marino, a microstate that sits within northern Italy, is just a 28 minute drive from Rimini.
Top sites in San Marino include the Palazzo Pubblico, the country's official seat of government, and the Torre Cesta, a castle that dates back to the 13th century.
Neil Chernoff, BA's chief Planning and Strategy officer, said: 'Italy continues to prove hugely popular with our customers, which is why it's our biggest European destination and second globally behind the US.
'Last month, we saw a 10 per cent increase in searches for summer flights to Italy compared to 2023, so we're pleased to be an offering an even bigger choice of destinations.'
And Rimini isn't the only destination that's becoming easier to reach.
Brits can also take advantage of new direct flights to Djerba, a Mediterranean island off the coast of Tunisia.
easyJet has launched flights to the dreamy island from both London Luton and Manchester airports.
Cape Verde has also become easier to reach with both TUI and easyJet launching new flights to the African hotspot.

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Ryanair issues warning as hundreds of passengers miss flights in airport chaos
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  • Daily Mirror

Ryanair issues warning as hundreds of passengers miss flights in airport chaos

Budget airline Ryanair said more than 270 passengers have missed their flights over the past two weeks due to extensive queues and chronic understaffing at border control Ryanair has issued a stark warning to holidaymakers after travel chaos at several airports in Portugal meant that hundreds were left stranded at departure gates. The budget airline said more than 270 passengers have missed their flights over the past two weeks due to extensive queues and chronic understaffing at border control. The worst delays are being felt in Faro, Lisbon and Porto airports, with wait times reportedly stretching to a staggering two and a half hours. In a statement issued on Monday, Ryanair slammed the situation as "completely unacceptable", calling on Portugal's new government to sort out the staffing crisis. ‌ ‌ "In just the past two weeks, over 270 passengers missed their flights at these airports due to excessive delays caused by understaffed border controls," Ryanair said. The trouble began to escalate around May 26, with the airline warning that families, including those travelling with young children, were being caught up in the mess. The issue is said to be especially bad during morning rush hours, when passenger numbers swell and border posts are swamped. Ryanair placed the blame with airport operator ANA, accusing it of failing to prepare adequately for the annual summer travel surge. "The new government should take urgent measures to ensure that border control at Portuguese airport is duly equipped with resources," the statement continued. It also stressed that action must be taken now to prevent further chaos as peak season looms large, "especially during the morning rush hour, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and more people unfairly missing their flights". Neal McMahon, Ryanair's Director Of Operations, branded the situation as 'unsustainable,' warning things will only get worse as air traffic ramps up over the summer months. Last week, Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, moved to calm growing concerns, promising that border control issues should be "resolved within two weeks". ‌ The PSP police force has meanwhile pledged to deploy 500 new officers to reinforce airport security and border posts at Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and the Azores from July. In the meantime, an early reinforcements push is already underway at Faro Airport, where the situation has been particularly dire. Passengers heading to or through Portugal are now being strongly advised to arrive at the airport extra early - or risk being left behind. This comes after travel companies reported thousands of UK holidaymakers are ditching traditional European hotspots in favour of north Africa. Experts say many people are being drawn to the region by its wide availability of high-quality hotels costing considerably less than similar properties in locations such as Spain, France and Italy. North African countries Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are all experiencing a boost in visitors from the UK. Figures from aviation analysts Cirium show 19,847 flights are projected to serve routes from UK airports to those nations this year, more than twice as many as the 8,653 that did so in 2019. By comparison, the number of flights to Spain and Portugal is forecast to increase by 10% and 9% respectively over the same period.

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From fast-track airport passes to setting a budget: five top tips for a stress-free holiday

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A global pilot shortage is causing havoc for airlines, with no end in sight
A global pilot shortage is causing havoc for airlines, with no end in sight

Telegraph

time4 hours ago

  • Telegraph

A global pilot shortage is causing havoc for airlines, with no end in sight

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'The business jet sector is impacting the shortage of airline pilots as it's attracting commercial pilots who want to make the move to business aviation. The business jet market has seen a boom over the last few years with high-net-worth individuals and corporates seeking experienced pilots,' says Charman. 'Business aviation operators often offer more appealing rosters, less time away from home and smaller crew environments – making them attractive for pilots burnt out from airline life. In some cases, especially for experienced captains, the pay is significantly higher.' Retirement and moves to private operators have left a talent gap in the industry but, until recently, many airlines haven't been thinking laterally about how to fill it. 'Airlines want pilots straight out of the box and ready to fly. They want pilots with the right type rating to fly the right aircraft and with the right hours – and they want them right now,' says Charman. 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In 2024, captains earned between €120,000 (£101,000) and €270,000 (£227,000) according to Airline Ratings, up almost 50 per cent on the previous year. Salaries for new pilots remain low, however, although many will have spent as much as £100,000 on training. This combination significantly narrows the pool of talent who might be tempted to choose flying as a career, and is a key motivator for schemes such as BA's Speedbird programme, which will fund 200 pilots as they go through their training. The good news for them is that the need for higher-level qualifications seems to have lessened over time. Applicants for easyJet's programme 'need to be aged 18 or over by the time they begin training and have a minimum of five General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) of Grade C or above (or equivalent), including mathematics, science and English language – no higher qualifications or degrees are required'. 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