Roof collapses at Majorca's international airport
Shocking photos shared on social media show large shards of glass and dust on the floor. According to Ultima Hora's report, several people were using the vending machines when the ceiling collapsed. Spanish airports authority AENA blamed the collapse in an initial analysis on debris from construction work that has been falling onto a glass roof near the entrance to the baggage claim area.
An AENA spokesman told local press: 'People in charge of the airport are already analysing what happened in order to adopt the appropriate measures and to determine responsibilities if necessary.' One English-speaking woman could be overheard saying: 'Oh my God' as a cloud of dust rose from the ground where part of the roof had fallen.
Local Juan Antonio Bauza dubbed Palma Airport 'the worst in Spain' in a social media post this evening. The sports reporter said on X: 'I imagine someone will have to assume responsibility for this.' Renovation works at the airport have been criticised by workers and air passengers. In January the fall of a panel and weather conditions led to dust entering the terminal and complaints.
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Times
3 hours ago
- Times
The five airport rip-offs to avoid this summer
Holidays are supposed to be relaxing, but getting away can be anything but. Once you've made it to the airport, you are faced with hidden charges and high prices that can leave you out of pocket before you even get out of the country. Oversized luggage, lengthy airport queues and parking are all lucrative money makers for airlines, while even a short time spent in an airport can add huge costs to your holiday bill. Here are some of the most common pitfalls that catch passengers out, and how to avoid them. Long gone are the days when a flight ticket covered all the costs associated with getting on a plane. The advertised price of a flight is just the tip of the iceberg, with extra costs for essentials such as luggage and somewhere to sit quickly racking up. Most airlines charge for the luxury of choosing your seat — particularly annoying for families who are travelling with children. You can often wait until check-in and get a seat free, running the risk of being seated separately, but some airlines give you no option but to pay for a seat if you are travelling with a young child. Airlines are raking in cash from these charges for seats. The best way to beat them is to check in as early as possible for the best chance of getting seats together — unless you are flying with Ryanair. Most airlines say they make every effort to sit groups together but Ryanair says its seat allocation is completely random. (Some passengers claim it deliberately seats groups separately.) Most ensure that children are seated next to at least one adult from their booking, although the age requirements vary between companies, and, as mentioned, some have compulsory charges. Once on board you'll have to pay if you want wi-fi. Airlines including British Airways, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic charge from £5 to more than £20 for wi-fi access, with the cost varying on whether a flight is long or short-haul. And you won't get a refund for a slow connection, although some will refund you if the wi-fi didn't work — but this can be hard to prove. Airlines have to get you on a replacement flight or refund your money (which can be as a voucher) if they cancel your flight. But you may not get your money back for any extras booked alongside, such as airport parking. Airlines including Jet2 and Ryanair offer airport parking when you book your flight, but like with any third-party service, you should check your refund rights. While Jet2 allows parking cancellations up to the time of your flight, giving you a voucher or cash refund, if your flight is cancelled or changed, Ryanair's car park bookings are non-refundable. In February Ian and Gaye Orford booked return flights from Stansted to Tenerife for a golf trip next January. The couple, 57 and 59, paid £608.41, which covered luggage (including their golf bags) and parking, with the latter costing £67.49. Ian, a retired computer programmer, said they regularly booked parking through Ryanair because it was usually £10 cheaper than going directly through the airport. But Ryanair emailed in July to say their flight had been rescheduled to seven hours later and they would now arrive at their hotel after midnight, so they asked for a refund and booked with another airline. Although Ryanair refunded the flights, it refused to refund them the parking. 'If you had booked directly with Stansted, you can change for free, and I guess we just assumed the same deal with this,' Ian said. Ryanair said because the booking was with Stansted Airport, the Orfords needed to contact the airport to request a refund. Stansted Airport said because the booking had been made through a third party, it was governed by Ryanair's terms and conditions. • Parking private jet at Edinburgh airport 'cheaper than a car' 'Through no fault of our own, we're out of pocket and we apparently have no recourse,' said Ian, who intends to only book parking with the airport directly in future. Booking fees for plane seats can also be non-refundable, such as with BA. It will refund your seat fees if it cancels your flight, but not if you do, even if the flight itself can be refunded. Rhys Jones from the frequent flyer advice site Head for Points said these fees can be as much as £62 per person on long-haul business class flights. He said: 'It doesn't seem particularly fair to keep seat selection fees for someone who no longer needs those seats because they've cancelled their flight.' There is no consistency on baggage allowances between airlines. And if you have booked through one airline, but American Airlines or Iberia actually operates the flight, their baggage rules will apply. BA allows a maximum cabin bag of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm while Iberia, part of BA's parent company International Airlines Group (IAG), has a limit of 56cm x 40cm x 25cm. BA's 'partner' American Airlines' allowance is 56cm x 36cm x 23cm. And while BA allows a cabin bag weighing up to 23kg, its IAG stablemate Vueling only allows up to 10kg, along with slightly smaller dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Check who you are flying with and the baggage allowance to avoid a bill at the gate. Wizz Air charges £13 for every kilogram you exceed the cabin or hold baggage allowance, easyJet £12, Ryanair £13 and BA £65 for each oversized bag. Jo Rhodes from the consumer group Which? said there had been many cases where passengers who thought they had the right sized bags were still charged. Swissport, which runs cargo handling and passenger services across 276 airports, easyJet and Ryanair have been in the news this summer for reportedly paying commission to staff who catch out passengers with oversized luggage. 'We've heard of passengers being forced to pay nearly £50 extra for having too big a bag, despite it meeting the required measurements,' Rhodes said. 'It can feel like you won't be granted entry on to the flight unless you stump up the money, so we would advise you to keep the receipt and take a photo of the bag from different angles in the sizer (rather than at the time of boarding, so the airline doesn't claim you've removed items) to challenge it afterwards.' • Hand luggage: Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways policies explained Doing pretty much anything at the airport is likely to cost more than anywhere else. While checking in online beforehand is free, Wizz Air charges £36.50 and Ryanair £55 for checking in at the airport, which they claim covers the cost of servicing airport check-ins. Wizz Air said: 'We aim to make check-in simple for passengers and provide instructions during the booking process, on the Wizz Air website and via email reminders on how to check-in online to avoid fees.' Most big airports now offer to 'fast-track' you through security using a separate lane. Costs range from £5 at Belfast International to £12.50 at Heathrow, depending on how far in advance you book. Rhodes said: 'Fast-track security may seem like a tempting way to beat the queues, but in reality it's not worth shelling out for because you won't save that much time. Fast-track is also not always guaranteed at peak times, such as the school summer holidays, and can come with other conditions, like not allowing buggies, which will be impractical for young families.' • The best airlines in the world — according to you As anyone who has ever bought a bottle of water just before boarding will know, airport shopping can be pricey, even though some things (including bottled water) are free of VAT. Passengers are often sceptical about whether duty-free really represents a saving — and the experts agree. Jones said: 'I've compared prices, especially for alcohol, and often found that airport duty-free is the same price or only marginally cheaper than some of the more competitive supermarkets. The bottom line is that it's always worth doing a quick price comparison before your trip to make sure you're getting a good deal.' For those without hold luggage and who have to stick to the 100 millilitres of liquid rule for cabin bags, there could be a cheaper alternative to expensive travel-sized toiletries or buying them after going through security. Boots has a click and collect service where you can order items at normal retail prices and pick them up at 15 airports, after security, for a £4.50 delivery fee. If your flight is cancelled items are returned to the warehouse after seven days and you will be your holiday rip-off pet peeve? Let us know in the comments below
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
I visited the tiny European island loved by Kate Moss and Katy Perry that looks straight out of the Maldives
ARRIVING in sun-drenched Ibiza with temperatures soaring above 30C, you might be tempted to kick off your shoes and declare your holiday had officially begun. But persevere on your journey a little longer and you will be rewarded with some of the Balearics ' most unspoiled beaches. 8 8 Formentera, Ibiza's chilled-out little sister, has water so clear and turquoise, you would be forgiven for thinking you had landed in the Maldives. After touching down at Ibiza Airport, it's just a quick coach ride to the port, where the adventure begins. Following a scenic 30-minute ferry crossing, Tui is waiting with an air-conditioned minibus for the final leg. The destination? The Insotel Hotel Formentera Playa, which is perched on one of the island's dreamiest stretches of sand, Platja de Migjorn. We booked a superior studio room, and it turns out to be a great choice. Comfy and spotless, our room even has a little kitchen nook with a decent-sized fridge that's perfect for keeping our snacks and drinks cool. But the real star is that stunning sea view waiting to greet you each morning while you sip coffee on the balcony. Bliss. Days can be split between lazing by one of the two pools or venturing along the beach on the wooden walkways to golden sand. An early morning flight means that, after some speedy unpacking, we're lucky enough to steal a whole afternoon on the beach. Within minutes, we're running like giddy kids straight into the crystal-clear water. It doesn't take long to slip into the laid-back beach vibe, with mellow Ibizan bossa nova tunes floating through the air like a warm breeze. Best beaches in the world revealed At the hotel, bicycles are yours for the taking, free of charge, and with the island stretching only 12 miles from end to end, it's a great way to get around. Every beach and landmark is within easy reach, the roads are wide and safe, and drivers are courteous of tourists and locals alike. My husband, however, feels the need for something a touch more continental. So we swap pedals for petrol and hire a scooter to get around for the week. Soon we're zipping about in style, the nostalgic smell and happy hum of the two-stroke engine a defining summer soundtrack of countless European holidays past. Four miles up the coast, or 15 minutes by scooter, Cala Saona is one of Formentera's must-visit beaches. Nicknamed 'the jewel of the west coast of Formentera', it's tucked away in a beautiful cove, with shallow, inviting waters. Flanked by cliffs, it's also a sheltered spot, shielded from the stronger winds that often impact southern shorelines. No trip to Formentera would be complete without visiting Ses Illetes beach. 8 Named after the little islands ('illetes') nearby, this spectacular spot has earned a reputation for being the 'Maldives of the Med' — and it's easy to see why. Located on the island's northernmost tip, this narrow strip of rock is fringed by powdery-white sand and turquoise sea. At its very end, you'll be rewarded with views of S'Espalmador, an islet within Formentera's Ses Salines Nature Park, part of a Unesco World Heritage site. This islet made headlines last year when Katy Perry filmed her Lifetimes music video there without permission from the Spanish authorities. Refreshingly untouched Sadly, no celebs are spotted this time, although Kate Moss has recently been galavanting on the beaches of Formentera, clutching a Birkin bag, no less. And, judging by the influx of superyachts moored in the bay during our visit, the stars must be close. Last year, my plan to reach the very tip of the island failed — so naturally, it's at the top of this year's must-do list. Armed with sandwiches and more water than seemed reasonable for the two-mile round trip, we set off. The path lead us over low rock formations and along beaches that grow ever narrower. 8 8 Finally, we reached the end of the land, where the two tides meet. The sandbar is shallow and warm, perfect for wading far out while still being only knee-deep. That's one bucket-list item officially ticked. Back at the hotel, there is a range of activities to keep guests happy throughout the day, including yoga, massage, water polo and an energetic kids' club. Evenings offer diverse entertainment options, with buffet-style dinners that have enough variety to satisfy all tastebuds. Meanwhile, the hotel's South Beach bar provides a casual atmosphere, with day beds and sunken seats perfect for relaxing. Our evenings are happily spent here — cocktails and chilled-out music making it the perfect end to another sun-soaked day. With a week in Formentera feeling like two, it's easy to see why people come back here year on year. No doubt we'll be returning for another run of hippie adventure. Formentera is often hailed as the last truly authentic Balearic island — a little slice of paradise where time slows down, flip-flops are practically a dress code and the charm feels refreshingly untouched. Just don't tell the Ibiza crowd.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
The campervan trip to Spain's least visited region that finally turned me into a grown up
I HAVE the palate of a schoolchild. Before embarking on any trip, I often load a supermarket trolley with Monster Munch and a Fray Bentos pie-in-a-tin. So how exactly did I end up sipping silky reds and nibbling padrón pinchos on a charming cobbled street this summer? 6 I had travelled through northern Spain, in a Bailey motorhome, to the Rioja region which, unbeknown to me, would soon shake up my tastebuds. Parking up at Camping de Haro, a leafy campsite in the heart of La Rioja (Spain's famous wine country), meant I had hearty cuisine right at my fingertips. From here, it's just a ten-minute stroll into Haro, a pretty town surrounded by vineyards and packed with wine bars, restaurants and ancient wineries. A recent report from the Spanish tourist board revealed that Rioja is one of the least-visited regions in the country. That meant fewer crowds and therefore more time to scrutinise the menus. And I can say with certainty that the menus here are nothing short of impressive. I had visited the bars on Haro's lively main square with one simple mission: to try proper food. Not pot noodles, not tinned ravioli – real local fare. Of course, tapas is well-known across the country, but in northern Spain, they serve pinchos. The name comes from 'pinchar', meaning 'to poke' or 'to skewer', which explains why each of the snacks I devoured at various bars had been neatly stacked on bread and skewered with a toothpick. They're keenly priced and ridiculously tasty. I started my food crawl safely with Spanish tortilla (or omelette, as it's sometimes known), followed by serrano ham, until I got braver. It turns out that Lomo ibérico, a type of ham made from cured pork loin, is a gateway food to another culinary dimension as by the time the night was over I had eaten my way through all manner of bizarre foods, even pig's ear pinchos. Not something my under-educated palate had considered before, but it was a surprisingly tasty way to broaden my dietary horizons. Each bar had its own twist on the traditional pincho, making it easy to sample a variety of small tasters. It's customary to order a glass of wine and a pincho or two, then move on to the next bar – and by the third stop, I was a convert. Although savoury pinchos are the most popular, a dessert alternative is available to round off the evening. Pudding on a stick? Genius. The next morning, with a clear head and a mild cheese regret, I took a tour of Gómez Cruzado, one of Haro's oldest wineries. Being largely a lager-only lad until this trip, here's where the grown-up wine lessons began for me. I learned about grape varieties, the use of different oak barrels, and how to properly assess a Rioja's aroma and evaluate its legs with a degree of confidence. The tasting was top-notch, and my host tailored the description of each wine to suit my inexperience. 6 6 6 Over a couple of hours, I sampled smooth whites and rich reds with names I couldn't pronounce but wanted more of. I picked up a bottle to take back to the campsite, along with some proper deli treats, and ditched the Fray Bentos for the night. Back at the motorhome, uncorking my new favourite wine and laying out some local cheese and ham, I watched the sun dip behind the stunning scenery that surrounds the campsite. It turns out you can still enjoy the great outdoors, but without the canned custard and tastes of home. If you're looking for a trip that's a bit off the beaten track, Rioja's a winner And if you're looking for a trip that's a bit off the beaten track, Rioja's a winner. Gorgeous scenery, friendly locals, and incredible food and wine. I came here to shake up my comfort zone and ended up discovering a whole new side to travel, and to myself. The Fray Bentos? Still tucked in the back of the van. But for once, it stayed unopened. 'Travel broadens the mind' is a well-worn phrase, but I can now confirm it broadens the palate, too. 6
