logo
Thousands stranded & flights STILL grounded at Birmingham Airport with families left in tears over summer holiday chaos

Thousands stranded & flights STILL grounded at Birmingham Airport with families left in tears over summer holiday chaos

Scottish Suna day ago
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THOUSANDS of passengers are still facing disruption with flights still grounded at Birmingham Airport today.
The Midlands airport was hit with travel chaos on Wednesday after a plane was forced to make an emergency landing when it experienced issues with its landing gear.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
A small private plane had an emergency landing at Birmingham Airport yesterday
Credit: Alamy
3
Around 100 flights were impacted, with photos posted online yesterday showing the airport crammed with annoyed travellers
Credit: Chris_Smith88
3
Passengers waiting outside the Departure gate at Birmingham Airport yesterday
Credit: PA
The plane took off at 1.16pm, rose to 5,750 feet and almost immediately entered a holding pattern before passing the airport at about 300ft.
The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air was then forced to turn back to Birmingham for a bumpy landing just before 2pm following the emergency diversion.
All departures and arrivals at the Midlands airport were grounded until 8pm yesterday evening.
Birmingham Airport has since reopened its runway and resumed operations.
But passengers are still struggling to reach their holiday destinations or to return home as further flights today are grounded or heavily delayed due to knock-on effects.
The airport has asked that all passengers check flight details with their airlines and follow advice issued by them.
At least 14 flights have been either delayed or are estimated be delayed by 45 minutes or more.
And 29 flights have either been or are set to be minorly delayed, reports the Independent.
Three people from the plane were treated at the airport yesterday and one person had minor injuries, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.
Around 100 flights were impacted, with photos posted online showing the airport crammed with annoyed travellers.
Some flights were delayed for up to five hours and 21 inbound aircraft were forced to divert.
Moment boozy Jet2 passengers are hauled off 7am flight for VAPING in their seats sparking mid-air emergency
Ryanair and Jet2 flights went as far away as Stansted and Manchester airports instead.
One family were forced to wait with 400 other people to collect their baggage, leaving her children "sobbing and crying".
Faye, who had been travelling with her partner and four children, were due to fly to Antalya in Turkey with Jet2 at 2.55pm.
But it later emerged her holiday had been "cancelled" as she received a text message saying there would be a full refund in four to five days.
Earlier, she told the BBC it was 'so hot and busy' in the airport, adding her family had been given £10 per person for food and drinks by the airline.
Faye said: "We've not been told anything. We found out about the incident on Facebook.
"Someone I met has already had their flight to Greece cancelled and a friend of mine had her flight rescheduled for later tonight.
"I'm a bag of nerves, I hate flying."
Several flights listed on the departures page of the airport's website, including to Paris Charles de Gaulle, Brussels and Belfast International, were cancelled yesterday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Brit travel strike warning: 17 airports across Spain and Portugal face flight chaos this month
Brit travel strike warning: 17 airports across Spain and Portugal face flight chaos this month

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Brit travel strike warning: 17 airports across Spain and Portugal face flight chaos this month

Plus, check out the rules on flight compensation NO FLY Brit travel strike warning: 17 airports across Spain and Portugal face flight chaos this month Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE'S bad news on the horizon for holidaymakers heading to Spain and Portugal in August with lots of planned strike action. Across 12 airports in Spain and as many as five in Portugal there's planned industrial action that could result in delayed and cancelled flights for Brits heading abroad this summer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Holidaymakers could be affected by strikes in Spain and Portugal this August 4 The strike action could affect Ryanair flights to and from Spain Credit: Alamy Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here Throughout August, there's lots of planned strike action that could result in many flights being delayed or even cancelled. In Spain, more than 3,000 workers are set to strike with industrial action starting on the weekend of August 15, 2025. The strike will be across three time periods each day from 5am to 9am, 12pm to 3pm, and 9pm to 11:59pm. The action will then continue each week on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the end of December. Airports that will be affected are Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Alicante, Ibiza and Majorca as well as Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote and Santiago de Compostela. With the strikes yet to begin, it's unclear how much disruption there will be. However, it's likely walk-outs by Azul Handling will affect some Ryanair flights as it is its handling subsidiary. However a spokesperson for Ryanair said: 'Ryanair does not expect any disruption to our operation as a result of these third-party handling strikes in Spain.' Flight cancelled or delayed? Top tips for handling travel disruptions 4 Strikes could affect Brits travelling to destinations like Barcelona Credit: Alamy Flights to and from destinations in Portugal will also be affected. The strike action began at the end of July and will continue until the end of August. Staff who are walking out include the staff working in baggage handling, aircraft servicing and at check-in desks. The industrial action is taking place every week from Friday to Monday until September 1, 2025. So far, the strike action has resulted in delays and cancellations across Portuguese airports including Lisbon, Faro, and Porto Santo. The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has recently updated its travel advice before the strike. It read: "Industrial action by baggage handlers at Portuguese airports from Friday to Monday during July and August may cause delays. "If you are travelling over this period, check for announcements and follow the advice of your airline or tour operator." Other airports in Portugal that are affected include Madeira and the Azores. Flight compensation rules A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs. What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed? Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. If you're flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight. You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven't used yet. So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded. But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline. When am I not entitled to compensation? The airline doesn't have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather. Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other 'extraordinary circumstances' are not eligible for compensation. Some airlines may stretch the definition of "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled? If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you. Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer. Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof. If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance. Read more on the international 'London' airport that is 3,285 miles from the UK – and no flights to the English city. And check out the rival to world's biggest airport to cost £23.6billion – with 260million passengers and direct UK flights.

Holiday hotspots report cases of organ destroying virus sparking global outbreak fears in China
Holiday hotspots report cases of organ destroying virus sparking global outbreak fears in China

Scottish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Holiday hotspots report cases of organ destroying virus sparking global outbreak fears in China

Since early 2025, this viral wave has crossed continents, with 250,000 cases and 90 deaths recorded across 16 countries this year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SOME favourite holiday destinations for Brits are now hotspots for a crippling mosquito-borne virus, new figures reveal. Chikungunya, which is rarely deadly but capable of wreaking havoc on organs and causing agonising, months-long pain and disability, is exploding worldwide. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Chikungunya is spread by infected mosquitoes Credit: Getty 4 An outbreak of chikungunya in China has sparked alarm Credit: Getty Just last month The World Health Organisation warned chikungunya could soon affect billions across the globe as it tears through parts of the Indian Ocean and edges closer to Europe. The health watchdog said it was seeing the same warning signs as in the last major outbreak two decades ago, when nearly half a million were infected worldwide. More than 7,000 people have been struck down by the mosquito-borne bug in China alone, marking the country's biggest ever outbreak of the disease, according to experts. Most cases have been reported in the city of Foshan, in the southern province of Guangdong. In recent days, cases have cropped up in neighbouring areas and countries, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, according to media reports, this is despite China imposing Covid-like measures to contain the virus. Since early 2025, this viral wave has crossed continents, with 250,000 cases and 90 deaths recorded across 16 countries this year, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). And while the UK remains free of risk for now, parts of France and Italy - both very popular with Brits, are already battling the virus. There have been 12 local transmission episodes in several regions of southern France within the last year - meaning people were infected by mosquitoes in Europe, not while travelling. While this sounds concerning, experts have fortunately said it isn't going to be the next pandemic. Professor Will Irving, a virology expert at the University of Nottingham said: "There have been equally large, if not larger outbreaks around the world prior to this one." What is Chikungunya However, he added: "With climate change, the mosquitos are spreading, and there are reports of the mosquito being present in parts of Europe (France, Italy, Spain).' Last year, Europe saw a sharp surge in mosquito-borne diseases - including dengue, West Nile, and malaria - with some infections doubling in just 12 months. Chikungunya is primarily spread by the Aedes mosquito (also known as the tiger mosquito) and cannot spread from person to person. But a mosquito can pick up the disease by feeding on an infected individual and then transmit it to new human hosts by biting them. Unlike malaria-carrying mosquitoes, these critters are most active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. 4 The symptoms can last for months - even years 4 Patient with joint deformities of the hands 6 years after confirmed chikungunya virusCredit: SehatHub How to stay safe Several experts have shared precautionary steps those travelling the sunny beaches of Europe can take to prevent infection. Professor Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, advised travellers to wear loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs. Ideally, he said: "They will be light coloured, so you can see if mosquitos have landed on you." In particular, he warned that it is a bad idea for women in late stages of pregnancy to travel to these destinations. "If you get infected with it later on in the pregnancy, it can pose a risk to the baby," he said. Two chikungunya vaccines have recently been approved for use in the UK - although one is under safety review for older people. Those are mostly targeted at travellers and are not widely available in the countries most affected by chikungunya. Once someone has recovered from chikungunya, there is evidence to suggest they have lifelong immunity. In 2024, there were 112 confirmed and probable cases of chikungunya, all linked to people returning from popular destinations like India, Pakistan and Brazil. Once mostly confined to Asia, Africa, and South America, the virus is now expanding its reach across Europe and the US, with local outbreaks on the rise. It has surged in places like Madagascar, the Seychelles, Somalia, Kenya, India, and Brazil. Meanwhile, the Pacific Islands are also grappling with rising outbreaks in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji, and Kiribati. The US has recorded 46 cases this year, all in travellers returning from high-risk regions, with no deaths reported so far. Crippling joint pain While chikungunya very rarely causes death, its symptoms are debilitating. They usually begin within a week of being bitten and can include a sudden high fever, fatigue, nausea, reddening of the eyes, sensitivity to light and a rash. The virus gets its name from a word in the Kimakonde language spoken in southern Tanzania meaning 'to become contorted,' to the crippling joint pain it causes. The virus triggers an immune response that leads to inflammation in the joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness similar to rheumatoid arthritis that can persist for weeks, months and sometimes years after the initial infection. Those most at risk of severe illness include newborn babies, older adults, and people with underlying conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

I stayed at a hotel in Spain where the sunlounger dash was so competitive I couldn't get one for a WEEK
I stayed at a hotel in Spain where the sunlounger dash was so competitive I couldn't get one for a WEEK

Scottish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

I stayed at a hotel in Spain where the sunlounger dash was so competitive I couldn't get one for a WEEK

Plus, everything you need to know about travelling to Spain LAST RESORT I stayed at a hotel in Spain where the sunlounger dash was so competitive I couldn't get one for a WEEK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRIT has revealed how during her week-long holiday in Spain, she was never able to get a sunbed thanks to competitive morning dashes. When recently on holiday in Spain, Adele Gough watched masses of guests gather around the pool gates before 9am. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A Brit spent a week in Spain and the entire time was unable to get a sunbed Credit: SWNS 4 Adele captured the chaos on camera, with holidaymakers queuing in the morning to get a lounger Credit: SWNS Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here As soon as the gates then opened, the crowds of tourists would charge forward and hurl their towels onto sunbeds. The 35-year-old captured the scenes at the four-star GHT Oasis Park Hotel in Lloret de Mar, Spain via video. The hotel cleaner from Great Shefford shared that she thought it was "selfish" and consequently, refused to join the sunbed gate lurkers. Read more on travel tips COSTA LITTLE Twelve cheap & pretty Spain holiday spots that locals love & Brits never visit However, this meant the Brit didn't get to use a lounger for her entire holiday. She said: "At first I found it all pretty funny and typical of holiday-goers. "It was entertaining to watch. "But I do think it's a bit selfish, as most of the sunbeds just sat there with a towel on them all day." Adele was on holiday celebrating her birthday when she discovered the morning crowds for sunbeds. She explained how the hotel did not have any clear rules about reserving sunbeds, which she believes caused the panicked rush each morning. Inside the Spanish town begging for Brit tourists Not wanting to stress with the crowds or queues, Adele chose to skip each morning frenzy. She added: "There weren't any signs or rules posted anywhere around the hotel so all people could do was wait until the lifeguards opened the gates and then rush in. "I decided not to bother so I didn't end up using the sunbeds at all this holiday." Frantic dashes for sunbeds is not uncommon in Europe, with many other travellers taking to social media with videos of holidaymakers rushing to secure a lounger via any means possible. In June, a man from Ireland shared a video of sunseekers wearing sprint shoes in an attempt to get the first dibs on sunloungers. 4 Early in the year, a man from Ireland shared how he saw people wearing running shoes to get a lounger faster Credit: SWNS Aaron Turner and his fiance Shauna Wall were in Spain with their four-year-old daughter when they spotted the bizarre scenes. Aaron said: "The queues would get pretty long. "Once the barriers opened, all the rules went - people were jumping the queue, and some were properly running." He added that there were "definitely enough beds" - though this didn't stop holidaymakers from doing everything they could to be the first to get to the sunbeds. "I thought it was hilarious, I've seen videos of it online before but it was the first time I experienced it myself," he said. "We got a good laugh out of it." Everything you need to know about visiting Spain Brits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country. Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in an 180-day period. Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit. Travellers may be asked to show hotel booking confirmations and that they have enough money for their stay at the border. Spain is one hour ahead of the UK. The country uses the euro with around €10 working out to £8.55. Flights to Spain from the UK take between 2-4 hours depending on the destination. In July, a British couple were also left fuming after they received a sunlounger warning on holiday – despite other hoggers being ignored. Plus, Majorca has removed sunbeds and parasols from its top beaches.

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