Latest news with #JuliaLoBue-Said
Wales Online
10-07-2025
- Wales Online
Brits heading to Spain and Turkey issued price rise warning
Brits heading to Spain and Turkey issued price rise warning Prices to some of the UK's favourite holiday destinations are surging Spain - a firm favourite among Brits - has seen a surge in prices when it comes to family package holidays Brits are being warned that the cost of a family package holiday to some of their favourite holiday destinations is surging. Figures compiled for the BBC by TravelSupermarket show the likes of Spain, Turkey, and Cyprus are among the hardest hit. According to the stats, the average price for a week in Cyprus in August has gone up by 23 per cent, from £950 per person to £1,166. Spain has gone up from £835 to £914, while Greece has gone from £926 to £1,038. The United Arab Emirates has seen the biggest jump, going from £1,210 to £1,525 - a jump of 26 per cent. Only two countries among the top 10 most searched for have seen a drop. Italy has gone down 11 per cent, from £1,129 to £1,266, while Tunisia has dropped 4 per cent, from £794 to £763. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of travel agent industry group Advantage Travel Partnership, said the price rises were down to the high inflation seen across the world in recent years. "These increases simply keep pace with the broader cost of doing business and reflect the reality of higher operational costs, from increased energy bills affecting hotels, to elevated food costs impacting restaurants and rising wages across the hospitality sector," she told the BBC. Article continues below However, she said Brits do have money to spend, pointing at customers frequently upgrading to premium, all-inclusive packages and booking more expensive cabin seats on long-haul flights to locations such as Dubai. Consumer champion Which? added that prices were high because, although prices for things such as food and energy have increased, demand for foreign holidays in the UK remains strong. This is likely a result of wage growth continuing to outstrip inflation, giving Brits more spending power. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: 'While inflation has started to ease over the last year, our latest research has shown holiday prices bucking the trend, with a combination of increased demand, alongside rising energy and fuel costs, contributing to higher prices for holidaymakers." Article continues below 'Booking early is almost always your best chance of securing the best rate," he continued. 'Take the time to shop around, and if you're holidaying with kids, consider travelling in the last week of summer holidays, as we've previously found this can be the cheapest week in the peak season.'
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Hand luggage rule change ‘will spark MORE delays & confusion' as 2 major UK airports scrap limit – how clued up are you?
A HAND luggage rule change will "spark more delays and confusion" after two major UK airports lifted their restrictions. Those jetting off from Birmingham and Edinburgh could face longer queues with both changing hand luggage rules in the past week. 2 Two major UK airports have made a hand luggage change Credit: Getty 2 Both airports have now lifted the 100ml liquid rule Credit: Getty If you're travelling from either airport, you can now take two litres of liquid in your cabin bags. But all other UK airports will still have to follow the 100ml liquid restriction. The same applies to most airports in continental Europe meaning Brits won't be able to bring larger liquids back in their hand luggage. But more airports could follow Birmingham and Edinburgh's lead in the months to come. Read more Travel news However, this could mean longer waits to get through security as each will be able to set its own timescale in rolling out the rule change. One airline source told The Times that the timing was "absurd and would inevitably cause extra queues and confusion this summer." They added: "Given most people don't know about the change and just do 100ml anyway, it's hard to follow the logic of allowing individual airports to have different rules for the busiest period of the year." The 100ml rule was first introduced nearly two decades ago in 2006. Most read in News Travel It was implemented after a terror plot was discovered to blow up planes flying from London to the US with home-made liquid bombs. The Department for Transport required all major airports to bring in next generation security checkpoints (NGSCs) by this summer. Why you should NEVER use airport charging stations and which foods and drinks to avoid, warns travel expert The technology creates a 3D image of what's inside a passenger's bag which would allow airports to scrap the 100ml liquid rule. It also ends the need for laptops and tablets to be removed from hand luggage. These changes were first proposed in August 2019 but the rollout of the technology has been complicated. Major airports were initially given a deadline of December 2022 to deploy the new scanners. But after the aviation industry suffered huge disruption due to coronavirus travel restrictions in 2020, a new deadline was set for June 1, 2024. Some smaller airports complied on time and Teeside Airport, But larger airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and They claimed that supply chain delays and construction difficulties caused by the weight of the machines were the reasons behind the delay. But then, last June, the Department for Transport suddenly announced that the old 100ml liquid rule would be reinstated as a "temporary measure" before the blanket restriction was lifted in May this year. Airports were then told that they could ease the rules once the scanners had been installed and approved. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, told "The slow rollout has already led to confusion and frustration and travellers are likely to be tripped up if the rules continue to change as short notice and vary for different airports. "It is clear that all airports are not ready to introduce these new rules at the same time, and we would encourage all UK airports collectively to work with government to ensure there is very clear messaging around the rules, to avoid confusion and delays wherever possible." Birmingham announced last Wednesday that it was lifting the 100ml rule and Edinburgh did the same yesterday. Edinburgh installed eight new top-of-the-range scanners as part of a £24 million investment to transform its security. The first major Scottish airport to scrap the rule, Edinburgh now has eight security lanes, an increase of two after implementing the new scanners. Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: "This is a big day for our passengers and the airport team – we are delighted to be able to lift this rule and really transform the whole security process, making it easier for everyone. "A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule to be the case, so it really is a momentous day as we become the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule since it was introduced in 2006. "The change allows more flexibility for passengers to take liquids through security, all while maintaining and improving our high safety levels through the use of 3D technology. "But it is important that passengers continue to check with the situation at their return airport as not all airports will be moving away from 100ml just yet.' Passengers are urged to check which rules are in place for the airport they're departing from before they travel.
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
British passport holders to be allowed to use e-gates at more EU airports
British passport holders will be able to use e-gates at more European airports as part of a UK-EU deal, the Government has announced. Since Brexit, British travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology. This has led to many passengers facing long queues, particularly during peak periods. The issue has been described as one of the most visible impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for UK holidaymakers to be able to use e-gates in EU countries 'as soon as possible'. He said: 'I urge EU member states now to do it and we will be pressing hard on that … there's no inhibition on this so I want to see it done quickly.' He claimed any '(European) Commission-based reason' not to has been 'knocked away by this agreement'. He added: 'For holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos.' After the agreement with the EU, the Government said in a statement: 'British holidaymakers will be able to use more e-gates in Europe, ending the dreaded queues at border control.' Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said the announcement is 'a significant breakthrough for British travellers'. She told the PA news agency: 'The frustrating experience of lengthy border control queues upon arrival has been a persistent challenge for many, so the expanded access to e-gates across Europe comes as a tremendous relief. 'With this streamlined system in place, we anticipate both holidaymakers and business travellers will enjoy a much smoother, more efficient airport experience, allowing them to begin their journeys without unnecessary delays.' Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said: 'This is excellent news for British holidaymakers and will enable an even smoother passenger experience for families travelling to the EU.' British passports can currently be used at e-gates in the EU at a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at travel trade organisation Abta, said: 'Since Brexit, Abta has been calling for changes that will make travel easier, and we're pleased to see the UK and EU agree these steps. 'The EU is home to the UK's favourite overseas holiday destinations, and travel between our nations creates a huge boost for the UK economy and is a big driver of growth.' The EU is planning to launch its long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) in October. This will replace the need for people arriving in the EU from non-member countries such as the UK to have their passports stamped. Instead, they will need to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken to register them on a database, with the data stored for three years. There are fears this will cause queues at EU airports, as well as at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel's terminal in Folkestone and London's St Pancras railway station, where French border checks are carried out before people embark on cross-Channel journeys. Mr Petherbridge said: 'It is vital we continue to see good co-operation between the UK and EU on the introduction of this scheme, to make it as streamlined as possible for UK travellers.' The Government also announced that UK cats and dogs will be able to travel 'more easily' by 'eliminating the need for animal health certificates for every trip'.
North Wales Chronicle
19-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
British passport holders to be allowed to use e-gates at more EU airports
Since Brexit, British travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology. This has led to many passengers facing long queues, particularly during peak periods. The issue has been described as one of the most visible impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for UK holidaymakers to be able to use e-gates in EU countries 'as soon as possible'. He said: 'I urge EU member states now to do it and we will be pressing hard on that … there's no inhibition on this so I want to see it done quickly.' He claimed any '(European) Commission-based reason' not to has been 'knocked away by this agreement'. He added: 'For holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos.' After the agreement with the EU, the Government said in a statement: 'British holidaymakers will be able to use more e-gates in Europe, ending the dreaded queues at border control.' Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said the announcement is 'a significant breakthrough for British travellers'. She told the PA news agency: 'The frustrating experience of lengthy border control queues upon arrival has been a persistent challenge for many, so the expanded access to e-gates across Europe comes as a tremendous relief. 'With this streamlined system in place, we anticipate both holidaymakers and business travellers will enjoy a much smoother, more efficient airport experience, allowing them to begin their journeys without unnecessary delays.' Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said: 'This is excellent news for British holidaymakers and will enable an even smoother passenger experience for families travelling to the EU.' British passports can currently be used at e-gates in the EU at a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at travel trade organisation Abta, said: 'Since Brexit, Abta has been calling for changes that will make travel easier, and we're pleased to see the UK and EU agree these steps. 'The EU is home to the UK's favourite overseas holiday destinations, and travel between our nations creates a huge boost for the UK economy and is a big driver of growth.' The EU is planning to launch its long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) in October. This will replace the need for people arriving in the EU from non-member countries such as the UK to have their passports stamped. Instead, they will need to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken to register them on a database, with the data stored for three years. There are fears this will cause queues at EU airports, as well as at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel's terminal in Folkestone and London's St Pancras railway station, where French border checks are carried out before people embark on cross-Channel journeys. Mr Petherbridge said: 'It is vital we continue to see good co-operation between the UK and EU on the introduction of this scheme, to make it as streamlined as possible for UK travellers.' The Government also announced that UK cats and dogs will be able to travel 'more easily' by 'eliminating the need for animal health certificates for every trip'. This is through the introduction of so-called pet passports.
Leader Live
19-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
British passport holders to be allowed to use e-gates at more EU airports
Since Brexit, British travellers arriving at EU airports have generally been forced to queue for manned desks to have their passports stamped, rather than use automated gates with facial recognition technology. This has led to many passengers facing long queues, particularly during peak periods. The issue has been described as one of the most visible impacts of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. After the agreement with the EU, the Government said in a statement: 'British holidaymakers will be able to use more e-gates in Europe, ending the dreaded queues at border control.' Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said the announcement was 'a significant breakthrough for British travellers'. She told the PA news agency: 'The frustrating experience of lengthy border control queues upon arrival has been a persistent challenge for many, so the expanded access to e-gates across Europe comes as a tremendous relief. 'With this streamlined system in place, we anticipate both holidaymakers and business travellers will enjoy a much smoother, more efficient airport experience, allowing them to begin their journeys without unnecessary delays.' Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said: 'This is excellent news for British holidaymakers and will enable an even smoother passenger experience for families travelling to the EU.' British passports can currently be used at e-gates in the EU at a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at travel trade organisation Abta, said: 'Since Brexit, Abta has been calling for changes that will make travel easier, and we're pleased to see the UK and EU agree these steps. 'The EU is home to the UK's favourite overseas holiday destinations, and travel between our nations creates a huge boost for the UK economy and is a big driver of growth.' The EU is planning to launch its long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) in October. This will replace the need for people arriving in the EU from non-member countries such as the UK to have their passports stamped. Instead, they will need to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken to register them on a database, with the data stored for three years. There are fears this will cause queues at EU airports, as well as at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel's terminal in Folkestone and London's St Pancras railway station, where French border checks are carried out before people embark on cross-Channel journeys. Mr Petherbridge said: 'It is vital we continue to see good co-operation between the UK and EU on the introduction of this scheme, to make it as streamlined as possible for UK travellers.' The Government also announced that UK cats and dogs will be able to travel 'more easily' by 'eliminating the need for animal health certificates for every trip'. This is through the introduction of so-called pet passports.
