Latest news with #NealMcMahon
Metro
9 hours ago
- Metro
Ryanair alerts Portugal holidaymakers over 'unfair' issue impacting summer trips
For anyone going on holiday to Portugal this year, you could be in for some lengthy airport delays. Ryanair have critcisied border control in the country, saying that passengers are 'suffering' due to staff shortages. The low-cost airline says families are experiencing delays of up to two and a half hours, and that from May 26 to June 9, over 270 Ryanair passengers travelling from Faro, Lisbon or Porto have missed flights. Ryanair have slammed the Portuguese government saying the situation is 'not good enough' and that passengers are 'unfairly missing their flights.' The carrier also highlighted that delays and queues were more of an issue 'during the peak morning period.' In a statement, Ryanair COO, Neal McMahon said: 'It is unacceptable that passengers – many of whom are travelling with young families – are suffering border control delays… as a result of staff shortages… just because airport operator, ANA, has not ensured that adequate staff are in place to manage border control. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. 'This is not good enough, and the problem will only worsen as we go further into the summer season and traffic numbers increase.' Neal urged the government to take action for those going on 'well-deserved holidays', saying: 'Ryanair calls on the new Government to urgently intervene and fix these ongoing border control staff shortages.' According to the Civil Aviation Authority, UK and EU airlines must look after you if your flight is delayed or cancelled. This includes everything from meals and accommodation to an alternative flight if necessary. To be covered, your flight must be either: departing from an airport in the UK (on any airline) arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline Citizen's Advice says that airlines should also give impacted passengers access to phone calls and emails and, if they offer you a play to stay, organise the journeys between the hotel and the airport. More Trending Sometimes, the airline will cover this by handing you vouchers at the airport. When in doubt, keep any receipts for expenses and claim them back afterwards from the airliner. But an airliner will only cough up money for 'reasonable' expenses. The hotel minibar or penthouse suites likely can't be expensed. If you didn't book with a UK or EU airline, you'll need to check their terms and conditions. Though, for the most part, airlines should provide meals and accommodation as appropriate. Whether you're eligible for this depends on the distance of your flight and how long you have waited. For short-haul (up to 1,500km over two hours or less) you must have been waiting for two hours or more. For medium-haul (between 1,500km and 3,500km over two to four hours) it's three hours or more. If you still fancy a trip to Portugal, the land of beautiful beaches and pastel de nata, we've got you carried. If you want a change from the likes of Lisbon or Porto, why not head to Braga, the lesser-known historical city, dubbed 'the Rome of Portugal'. Over on the west coast, you could try out Aveiro, which, with its picturesque canals, gondola-esque boats and stunning Art Nouveau architecture, has been compared to Venice. And, if you love trying out new food on trips away, the town of Almancil, just a 20 minute drive from Faro, has been named as an emerging foodie destination by Airbnb. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Passenger on Air India plane before it crashed shares video showing worrying defects MORE: Sole survivor reveals what happens in final seconds before Air India plane crashed MORE: I missed Air India flight by 10 minutes – my mind went numb
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots travellers hit by major Ryanair warning – with fears some passengers could miss flights
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN URGENT warning has been issued to Scottish holidaygoers after hundreds of Ryanair passengers missed their flights over the last two weeks. With the summer holidays fast approaching, families across the country will be gearing up for their long-awaited getaways. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Bosses at Ryanair have issued an urgent warning to travellers Credit: Getty 3 It comes after 270 passengers missed their flights in recent weeks Credit: Alamy Thousands of travellers will be looking forward to their trips as schools prepare to finish up this month for six weeks. But Ryanair has warned customers that they could face huge, bottleneck queues when they arrive at the airport. Bosses have said that long queues at certain locations have caused travel chaos over the last two weeks. And the budget airline revealed that over 270 holidaygoers missed their flights due to long waits. Passengers have faced unnecessary wait times of up to two-and-a-half hours at a handful of airports. And it has affected customers heading to several cities in Portugal, including airports in Faro, Lisbon, and Porto. It is unacceptable that passengers are suffering border control delays of up to 2.5 hours as a result of staff shortages Neal McMahon The issues are said to be a result of a systemic staffing issue, and the massive delays are impacting hundreds of travellers every day. Many of whom are families who are going on holiday with young children. Airport operator ANA is being accused of not prepping its staff and border posts for the influx of summer travel. Ryanair branded the situation "completely unacceptable" as it issued the urgent warning this week. Passengers injured on Ryanair flight after being thrown against the cabin roof as plane 'flew into supercell storm' The low-cost airline released a statement which said: "This is completely unacceptable and the new Government must take urgent action to adequately staff border control at Portuguese Airports. "Especially during the peak morning period, to prevent unnecessary delays and more passengers unfairly missing their flights." Issues were first reported on May 26, and Ryanair has called on Portugal's new government to take action. The airline has urged them to tackle the ongoing staff shortages at these locations. Neal McMahon, COO at Ryanair, referred to the situation as 'unsustainable' and said it is "unacceptable". He said: 'It is unacceptable that passengers, many of whom are travelling with young families, are suffering border control delays of up to 2.5 hours at Faro, Lisbon, and Porto Airports as a result of staff shortages. "Over the last two weeks alone, over 270 passengers have missed their flights just because the airport operator, ANA, has not ensured that adequate staff are in place to manage border control at Faro, Lisbon, and Porto Airports – some of Portugal's main airports. "This is not good enough, and the problem will only worsen as we go further into the summer season and traffic numbers increase. Advice for flying with Ryanair All Ryanair passengers can bring a small personal bag on board but this must fit under the seat in front of you, but it must be no bigger than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm Any over-sized cabin bags will be refused at the boarding gate and put in the hold for a fee Ryanair also charges passengers up to £55 check-in at the airport Anyone who loses their card at the airport will have to pay a £20 reissue fee Book to sit in the front five rows if you want to head off the plane first Extra legroom seats can be found in rows 1 A, B, C or 2 D, E, F as well as row 16 and 17 near the emergency exit The worst seat on Ryanair's Boeing 737-800 aircraft is also 11A because of its lack of window. "Ryanair calls on the new Government to urgently intervene and fix these ongoing border control staff shortages at Faro, Lisbon, and Porto Airports, so that Portuguese families will not be forced to suffer 2.5-hour-long queues just to get away on their well-deserved holidays.' Last week, Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, tried to reassure worried travellers. At the time, he predicted that the issues at border control should be 'resolved within two weeks'. Portugal's PSP police force confirmed it will deploy 500 new officers to boost border control and airport security at Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and the Azores in July. An early reinforcement was already carried out at Faro Airport, where the queues have been particularly serious. Airlines are being faced with a variety of logistical issues over the airports' staffing shortages, including rebooking, customer complaints, and compensation claims.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Ryanair blasts Portuguese border control over traveller queues
Ryanair has criticised Portuguese border control for staff shortages at airports like Faro, Lisbon, and Porto, leading to long delays and missed flights for passengers. The airline reported that over 270 passengers have missed flights in the past two weeks due to border control delays, with some facing waits of up to 2.5 hours. Ryanair's COO, Neal McMahon, described the staff shortages as "unacceptable" and called on the Portuguese government to urgently address the issue to prevent further disruptions during the summer season. Faro Airport recently announced the rollout of e-gate access for British arrivals, but passengers report continued long queues at border control. Portugal's PSP police force announced it would deploy 500 new officers to boost border control in Portuguese airports by July, hoping to fix the issue amid the summer tourist boom.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ryanair says passengers are ‘suffering' in 2.5 hour queues due to Portuguese border control delays
Ryanair has blasted Portuguese border control, saying its passengers have 'suffered' through long delays or have missed flights due to staff shortages. The budget airline carrier called on the Portuguese government to 'urgently fix' border control staff shortages at some of the country's busiest airports, including Faro, Lisbon and Porto. Ryanair said that passengers, many of whom are travelling with young families, are 'suffering' due to unnecessary border control delays of up to two and a half hours. The airline added that over the last two weeks alone, from 26 May to 9 June, over 270 passengers travelling from Faro, Lisbon or Porto airports have missed their flights. It blames this on border control delays due to a lack of staff. The airline has called on the government to adequately staff border control, especially during the peak morning period. Ryanair's COO, Neal McMahon said said that the staff shortages are 'unacceptable'. 'Over 270 passengers have missed their flights just because the airport operator, ANA, has not ensured that adequate staff are in place to manage border control at Faro, Lisbon, and Porto Airports – some of Portugal's main airports,' he added. 'This is not good enough, and the problem will only worsen as we go further into the summer season and traffic numbers increase.' Mr McMahon said that Ryanair calls on the new government 'to urgently intervene' so that 'Portuguese families will not be forced to suffer 2.5-hour-long queues just to get away on their well-deserved holidays.' Ryanair's statement comes a week after Faro Airport announced it would roll out e-gate access for British arrivals. Faro is a popular destination for Brits to visit, being the gateway to the Algarve region, dotted with golf courses and long, sandy beaches backed by dramatic cliffs. The UK government expects that British holidaymakers in their 'millions' will be able to use e-gate technology this summer. Prime Minister Keir Starmer struck the deal last month. He said that 'for holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos'. However, British passengers at Faro Airport say they are still caught up in long queues of nearly half an hour at border control. Francisco Vieira Pita, director of ANAl, told local media last month that border control authorities are in the process of updating the Internal Security System (SSI). 'That upgrade is, in fact, causing longer wait times in some cases. ANA is working closely with the relevant authorities to minimise the impact on passengers' experience,' he said. According to local press, Portugal's PSP police force announced it would be deploying 500 new officers to boost border control in Portuguese airports by July, hoping to fix the issue amid the summer tourist boom. The Independent has contacted Vinci Airports, owner of ANA, for comment.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Ryanair says passengers are ‘suffering' in 2.5 hour queues due to Portuguese border control delays
Ryanair has blasted Portuguese border control, saying its passengers have 'suffered' through long delays or have missed flights due to staff shortages. The budget airline carrier called on the Portuguese government to 'urgently fix' border control staff shortages at some of the country's busiest airports, including Faro, Lisbon and Porto. Ryanair said that passengers, many of whom are travelling with young families, are 'suffering' due to unnecessary border control delays of up to two and a half hours. The airline added that over the last two weeks alone, from 26 May to 9 June, over 270 passengers travelling from Faro, Lisbon or Porto airports have missed their flights. It blames this on border control delays due to a lack of staff. The airline has called on the government to adequately staff border control, especially during the peak morning period. Ryanair's COO, Neal McMahon said said that the staff shortages are 'unacceptable'. 'Over 270 passengers have missed their flights just because the airport operator, ANA, has not ensured that adequate staff are in place to manage border control at Faro, Lisbon, and Porto Airports – some of Portugal's main airports,' he added. 'This is not good enough, and the problem will only worsen as we go further into the summer season and traffic numbers increase.' Mr McMahon said that Ryanair calls on the new government 'to urgently intervene' so that 'Portuguese families will not be forced to suffer 2.5-hour-long queues just to get away on their well-deserved holidays.' Ryanair's statement comes a week after Faro Airport announced it would roll out e-gate access for British arrivals. Faro is a popular destination for Brits to visit, being the gateway to the Algarve region, dotted with golf courses and long, sandy beaches backed by dramatic cliffs. The UK government expects that British holidaymakers in their 'millions' will be able to use e-gate technology this summer. Prime Minister Keir Starmer struck the deal last month. He said that 'for holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos'. However, British passengers at Faro Airport say they are still caught up in long queues of nearly half an hour at border control. Francisco Vieira Pita, director of ANAl, told local media last month that border control authorities are in the process of updating the Internal Security System (SSI). 'That upgrade is, in fact, causing longer wait times in some cases. ANA is working closely with the relevant authorities to minimise the impact on passengers' experience,' he said. According to local press, Portugal's PSP police force announced it would be deploying 500 new officers to boost border control in Portuguese airports by July, hoping to fix the issue amid the summer tourist boom.
