Latest news with #LondonStansted
The Sun
14-05-2025
- The Sun
I'm a Turkish flight attendant – these are the things Brits get wrong about Turkey & lesser-known spots to try this year
A TURKISH flight attendant has seen many UK holidaymakers miss great spots and assume things about Turkey - including that it is just a 'sun-and-sea' holiday. Selda Bayhan, a senior cabin crew member at SunExpress based out of London Stansted, admitted that whilst many Brits stick to beach resorts, they are missing out on some of the country's best cities, scenery and food. 6 6 Having spent over 30 years flying Brits in and out of Turkey, Selda said: "A lot of UK travellers still see Türkiye mainly as a sun-and-sea holiday spot, and while the coastline is stunning, there's so much more to the country than just beaches. She explained that the country is "incredibly diverse", with "vibrant cities, ancient ruins, dramatic mountain landscapes and one of the most varied food scenes in the world". For those who love history and culture, she said: "You can visit the ancient ruins of Ephesus near Izmir, take in the cave dwellings and rock formations of Cappadocia, or see the impressive Roman theatre at Aspendos in Antalya. Or for the big foodies, "every region has something different to offer". She added: "In Gaziantep, it's all about bold, spicy flavours like kebabs, baklava and lahmacun. "Adana is known for its fiery kebab and meze culture." For those who love being in nature and the outdoors, there is also a lot to do. Selda explained: "In winter, you can ski at places like Mount Erciyes or just relax in a cosy mountain lodge. "If you're after more adventure, there's paragliding in Ölüdeniz, white-water rafting in Antalya, and kiteboarding in Gökova." The flight attendant did admit that, despite being popular, Istanbul is still worth a visit. The best TUI hotel resort according to Brits is in Turkey But that "there's a whole country beyond it that's still off the radar for many UK travellers". SunExpress currently offers direct flights from London Stansted to six different Turkish destinations — including Antalya, Izmir and Dalaman, as well as Kayseri, Gaziantep and Çukurova Adana. "It's a great mix that gives passengers far more options than just the usual beach resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts," Selda continued. "Each place has its own personality." For example, in Izmir - a lively Aegean city with a relaxed feel - there are many great spots for seaside strolls and multiple pretty villages are nearby, including Alaçatı. In comparison, in Antalya, there are beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, mountain views, and the famous Lycian Way - which is ideal for keen hikers. Alternatively, if you're into golf, head to Belek - which has some of the best courses in Europe. Then there are places like Bodrum and Dalaman which are great for "switching off in a laid-back coastal lifestyle". 6 6 In addition, there is the gateway to Cappadocia - Kayseri - one of Türkiye's most magical regions. "A place that really deserves more attention is Kayseri," Selda shared. "You've got the fairy chimneys, cave hotels, hot air balloons at sunrise… and much fewer crowds if you fly straight into Kayseri. "It's often skipped in favour of nearby Cappadocia, but actually offers a lot of the same incredible experiences — just with fewer crowds." In Kayseri, visitors can still do many typical activities that Brits associate with the country, including hot air balloon rides at sunrise, exploring unique rock formations and cave churches and investigating underground cities. "The Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is full of ancient rock-cut churches with stunning frescoes. 6 "If you're into walking, the Red Valley and Rose Valley are perfect for peaceful hikes with incredible views. "You can also explore underground cities like Derinkuyu and Kaymakli, which were once used as hideouts thousands of years ago," she continued. One particular highlight for Selda, is that travellers can actually stay in a cave hotel. "The food is another reason to go. "Dishes like manti (Turkish dumplings), pastirma, and the local desserts are unforgettable. "And if you've never been to a traditional Turkish bath, this is the perfect place to try it," she concluded. The Sun headed to an all-inclusive holiday in Turkey with children's discos, family-friendly buffets and waterpark. Plus, the world's best all-inclusive family resort is under five hours from UK – with own theme park, waterpark & themed rooms. 6
The Independent
11-05-2025
- The Independent
Stansted Airport passengers face disruption after ‘IT issue' affects systems
Stansted Airport has advised passengers to check the status of their flights before travelling to the site following an 'IT issue' which caused disruption and delays. The malfunction affected a number of systems at the airport, including check-in, baggage and security, London Stansted said on Sunday morning. Engineers are investigating the source of the problem, which may have been related to the systems' internet access, a spokesperson added. In a statement on X, the airport said: 'Our teams are working hard to fully restore operations following the IT issue that impacted our systems earlier this morning. 'While the issue has been resolved, some flights may still be subject to delays. 'We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and advise passengers to check the status of their flights with their airlines before travelling to the airport. 'We hope to have all systems fully resolved soon and will provide another update shortly.' Around 15,000 departing passengers transit through Stansted on a usual Sunday morning, a spokesperson for the airport said. 'All systems have now been fully restored and no flights have been cancelled as a result of the IT issue,' the spokesperson added. 'We are investigating the cause of the earlier issue so nothing confirmed at this stage but, for background, it looks like it was related to internet access for some systems.'
The Independent
11-05-2025
- The Independent
Stansted Airport chaos as IT crash sees hundreds miss flights
A major IT failure at London Stansted Airport caused significant disruption on Sunday, May 11, 2025. An estimated 10,000 passengers missed their Flights due to extensive delays in baggage handling and security. The IT crash affected various airport systems, leading to long queues and flight disruptions. While Jet2 and Tui delayed Flights to accommodate passengers, Ryanair dispatched planes on time to avoid further delays. Passengers reported chaotic scenes, including long queues, difficulties accessing the terminal, and issues with baggage drop-off.
Time Business News
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
London Stansted Airport Celebrates Record-Breaking Winter Season with Continued Growth
London Stansted Airport has reported its busiest winter on record, underscoring its growing role as a vital travel hub in the UK. The airport welcomed 2.31 million passengers in March 2025 alone—an impressive 7.5% increase compared to March 2024. This milestone marks the highest-ever March passenger total in the airport's history, exceeding the previous record by more than 127,000 travellers. Over the 12 months leading up to March 2025, Stansted served 29.89 million passengers, a 4.8% year-on-year rise. Much of this success is attributed to a particularly strong winter season, with over 10.5 million passengers traveling through the terminal between November and March. The continued surge in demand demonstrates the airport's resilience and its increasingly central role in both leisure and business travel across Europe. Top-performing routes during this period included Dublin, Istanbul, and Edinburgh, highlighting the airport's robust network of connections to both short-haul and mid-haul destinations. Spain, Italy, and Germany stood out as the most popular countries for travellers, driven by a mix of holidaymakers, expatriates, and business professionals taking advantage of Stansted's competitive flight offerings and frequent schedules. Operational performance has also been a standout success. Despite the increase in passengers, Stansted maintained a strong track record for efficiency, with 99% of passengers passing through security in under 15 minutes. This was achieved even during peak travel times—an indicator of effective planning and infrastructure investment. Enhancing accessibility, the return of a full four-trains-per-hour service on the Stansted Express in December 2024 has also played a key role in boosting passenger numbers. Looking ahead, London Stansted is preparing for a busy summer, with 14 new routes launching across its flight network. These include exciting new destinations such as Casablanca in Morocco, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and Linz in Austria. The new services will provide greater variety for holidaymakers and expand Stansted's already extensive European and North African reach. To support its continued growth, Stansted recently concluded a public consultation on plans to increase its annual passenger capacity from 43 million to 51 million. Notably, the proposal does not include an increase in the number of permitted flights or expansion beyond the airport's existing boundary. Instead, the focus is on optimising existing infrastructure, building on the work undertaken in recent years by Gate Technologies and Robson Handling to reconfigure check-in hall and baggage facilities, as well as improving operational efficiency. The new plans have received widespread support from stakeholders, signalling a shared vision for the airport's role in the region's economic future. This record-breaking performance at Stansted is part of a broader trend seen across the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands airports. MAG recently reported handling 61.3 million passengers across all three airports for the financial year ending March 2024—surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The group posted an operating profit of £240.1 million for the same period, reflecting a strong recovery in the aviation sector. With record figures, expanded services, and ambitious growth plans, London Stansted is well-positioned to play an even larger role in connecting the UK to Europe and beyond. The airport's combination of efficiency, connectivity, and future-facing infrastructure ensures it remains one of the UK's most important and fastest-growing transport hubs. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Independent
27-01-2025
- The Independent
Jet2 now lets passengers drop off their baggage the night before their flight: How does it work?
British low-cost airline Jet2 is offering baggage check-in the night before your morning flight at select UK airports, making those early departures a bit easier to handle. Jet2's 'Twilight Check-in' allows passengers who are flying before midday to drop bags off the evening before their morning flight at their UK departure airport between the hours of 4.30pm and 9pm. Passengers must have already checked in online, which is available any time from 28 days to 24 hours before the flight, via its website or app. The baggage drop-off service allows passengers to make their morning flight a little easier, by enabling them to bypass baggage check-in and breeze straight to security. The service is designed to be useful to those who live near the airport or are staying at a hotel close by. Getting your checked-in baggage into the care of the airline the night before will not only allow passengers to beat the early morning queues at the check-in desks but will potentially allow them more time to grab a drink, peruse the duty-free and find their gate, alleviating some of that pre-flight stress. However, Twilight Check-in is only available at 10 airports in the UK. Some of the airports offer free or discounted, limited-time parking for customers who are dropping their bags at the airport for the Twilight Check-in, including: Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London Stansted and Manchester. The other three airports, Edinburgh, Glasgow International and Newcastle, do not offer free parking but do still offer the Jet2 baggage check-in the night before your flight. Passengers must bring passports and boarding passes of their entire party to use the service. London Luton will become the eleventh airport to offer Twilight Check-in for Jet2 passengers for flights departing from 2 April onwards, as Jet2's flights and holidays from this airport do not start until April. The service can be used by passengers seven days a week, strictly for morning flights before 12pm, except over the festive period, when night-before baggage check-in will not be available for flights departing on 25 and 26 December. Assisted travel customers can use the service, but are asked by the airline that if travelling with a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair or EMD, to check these items in on the day of travel. There is no booking required for the Twilight Check-in, but you do need to make sure you have checked in for your flight. There's nothing to pay either – the service is completely free. To use the service, passengers just need to visit the terminal on their boarding pass and find the Jet2 check-in desks. It only requires one person from a party of up to six people to check in and drop off bags, which will make life a lot easier for larger families, especially those with young children.
