Tag: Travel

Jet fuel and travel plans: what you need to know

UK airlines say that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. The government is working with industry and international partners to keep passengers moving

There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.

If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.

Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK?

UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.

Do you need to change your travel plans?

There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.

We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.

We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.

Read about the latest action that government is taking to to protect summer holidays from disruption.

Are airlines cancelling lots of flights?

While there has been media reporting on flights cancelled internationally, Cirium has stated that its data shows only 0.53% of the UK’s planned flights for May 2026 have been cancelled. The Department for Transport (DfT) analysis of OAG data shows that only around 1,200 flights departing from the UK have been cancelled from 3 May to 14 June 2026. This represents less than 1% of planned flights over this period and is within the range of the number of cancellations we would expect within that period.

Airlines often change or remove a small number of flights based on demand and other operational factors, and we continue to monitor the situation. Reductions to summer flight schedules have predominantly been to countries in closer proximity to the Middle East due to the conflict.

How is the government protecting passengers?

Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:

  • depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
  • arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
  • arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline

For more information about your rights, you can:

What is government doing?

Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported.

We continue to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.

How are airlines being supported?

At some UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’ in which to take off or land.

Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another airline. This is known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.

Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.

The government is also seeking industry views on slot rules for the summer 2026 and winter 2026 seasons. The temporary measures would allow airlines to consolidate schedules on routes with multiple flights to the same destination on the same day.

This means airlines can better plan ahead and focus on minimising disruption for passengers. It can also reduce fuel consumption by consolidating passengers onto fewer flights, rather than feeling pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.

Jet fuel and travel plans: what you need to know

UK airlines say that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. The government is working with industry and international partners to keep passengers moving

There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.

If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.

Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK?

UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.

Do you need to change your travel plans?

There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.

We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.

We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.

Read about the latest action that government is taking to to protect summer holidays from disruption.

How is the government protecting passengers?

Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:

  • depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
  • arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
  • arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline

For more information about your rights, you can:

What is government doing?

Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported.

We continue to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.

How are airlines being supported?

At some UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’ in which to take off or land.

Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another airline. This is known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.

Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.

The government is also seeking industry views on slot rules for the summer 2026 and winter 2026 seasons. The temporary measures would allow airlines to consolidate schedules on routes with multiple flights to the same destination on the same day.

This means airlines can better plan ahead and focus on minimising disruption for passengers. It can also reduce fuel consumption by consolidating passengers onto fewer flights, rather than feeling pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.

Government sets out plans to protect summer holidays from disruption

There are no immediate supply issues, but government is preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption

  • summer holidays to be better protected as government consults on relaxing flight take-off/landing rules, providing certainty for passengers and businesses
  • lightning consultation launched to provide airlines flexibility to lock in flight schedules early, prevent last-minute disruptions and cancellations
  • Transport Secretary reiterates passengers are entitled to be re-routed or refunded if their flight is cancelled by the airline

Passengers will have their summer holidays better protected as government sets out plans today (3 May 2026), which will help cut the likelihood of last-minute flight cancellations this summer in the event of significant disruption due to ongoing global uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict.  

The contingency preparations are designed to give families greater confidence when travelling this summer by enabling airlines to plan realistically and lock in schedules earlier so that people are less likely to be affected by short‑notice changes at the airport.

While UK airlines say they are not currently facing supply issues, the government will be consulting with the industry in order to act quickly if needs be, before disruption takes hold, giving passengers and the aviation sector the certainty they need to plan ahead. 

These temporary measures would allow airlines to, for example, consolidate schedules on routes where there are multiple flights to the same destination on the same day.  

Instead of cancelling flights at the last minute, the measures would:

  • help move passengers onto similar services much earlier, helping avoid stressful delays at the airport
  • prevent running flights which have not sold a significant proportion of tickets
  • reduce wasted fuel from flying near-empty planes

The Transport Secretary discussed the plans at a roundtable with key industry figures on 30 April 2026, including representatives from Heathrow, Gatwick, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet, reaffirming the government’s commitment to keeping Britain flying this summer. 

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:  “Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the government has been monitoring jet fuel supplies daily and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to stay ahead of any problems. 

“There are no immediate supply issues, but we’re preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer.  

“This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protect passengers and businesses. We will do everything we can to insulate our country from the impact of the situation in the Middle East.”

The measures being considered will allow airlines to proactively hand back a limited proportion of their allocated take-off and landing slots without losing the right to operate them the following season. ‘Hand backs’ help airlines build realistic schedules and avoid last-minute cancellations rather than flying empty ‘ghost flights’ or cancelling at short notice, putting passengers’ plans at risk.

This will build on the UK’s independent slot coordinators’ (Airport Coordination Limited) decision to update its guidance, ensuring airlines do not permanently lose their take-off and landing slots if they are unable to use them due to jet fuel shortages.  

The measures the government is considering go further by allowing airlines to plan ahead and act on the best information they have available on fuel supply or wider impacts of the Middle East conflict, rather than wait for a shortage to occur. 

The government continues to plan for a range of contingencies to increase flexibility on jet fuel supply and domestic jet fuel production has increased. The UK imports jet fuel supplies from a range of countries not reliant on the Strait, including the United States.

As part of today’s action, the government is upping awareness of the existing rights available to passengers in the event of disruption. If your flight is cancelled by the airline, you have a legal right to a choice between being re-routed or a refund. 

If a flight is subject to a significant delay –  at least 2 hours for short-haul, 3 hours for medium-haul and 4 hours for long-haul - passengers are entitled to care and assistance, including food, drink and overnight accommodation where necessary.

Rob Bishton, Chief Executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Passengers in the UK are well protected by some of the strongest rights in the world, offering reassurance if disruption does occur. 

“Airlines have a duty to look after their passengers when they face disruption, and should offer a choice between a refund or alternative travel arrangements, including with another airline, if a flight is cancelled.

“Relaxing the rules around slots at airports will allow airlines more flexibility and so we expect them to give passengers as much notice as possible of cancellations during this period.”

Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: “UK airlines continue to operate normally and are not experiencing issues with jet fuel supply. We are planning to take our customers on their well-earned holidays this summer and will always look after them in line with our obligations. 

“We welcome the government’s contingency planning, including slot alleviation, which is one measure which enables airlines to adjust schedules responsibly, avoid unnecessary flying and continue operating efficiently while protecting connectivity for passengers.”

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said: “While our partners across the aviation sector continue to report no shortage of jet fuel supplies, it is sensible for government to consult on possible action if this were to change.

“We will now work closely with our airport members, ministers and officials to examine the proposals and respond on the best way to proceed that will lead to the best outcomes for passengers.”

If notified of changes to their flights by airlines, passengers are advised to speak to their airline, travel agent or tour operator in the first instance.

Further information on passenger rights is available in the Air passenger travel guide.

Jet fuel and travel plans: what you need to know

UK airlines say that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. The government is working with industry and international partners to keep passengers moving

There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.

If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.

Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK?

UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.

Do you need to change your travel plans?

There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.

We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.

We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.

How is the government protecting passengers?

Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:

  • depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
  • arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
  • arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline

For more information about your rights, you can:

What is government doing?

Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported.

We continue to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.

How are airlines being supported?

At some UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’ in which to take off or land.

Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another airline. This is known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.

Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.

This means airlines can focus on minimising disruption for passengers, rather than feeling pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.

Jet2 celebrates 20 years of operating from Scotland

  • Milestone anniversary of 20 years of Jet2 at Edinburgh Airport and 15 years from Glasgow Airport this year
  • UK’s favourite airline and tour operator marked the occasion with a celebration at Edinburgh Airport
  • 91 routes now on sale from Scottish bases, representing significant growth and expansion since first flights took off
Jet2 20th Aniversery Edinburgh Airport

Jet2 is celebrating 20 years of operating award-winning flights and holidays from Scotland.

The UK’s favourite airline and tour operator has reached the key milestone after seeing its first flight from Edinburgh Airport take off in 2006 and from Glasgow Airport in 2011. Since the start of operations from two of Scotland’s busiest airports, over 22 million customers have travelled with Jet2 and experienced its VIP customer service the company has become known for.

To mark the occasion, during the busy morning of departures from Edinburgh Airport yesterday (22nd April) customers and colleagues came together to celebrate the long-established partnership.

The check-in area at Edinburgh Airport was adorned in red, holidaymakers received a famously friendly welcome from Jet2’s Red Team, and one lucky customer was surprised with a free pair of return flights with Jet2.com, to mark 20 years of the airline flying from the airport base.

When Jet2’s first flight took off from Edinburgh Airport to Murcia 20 years ago and from Glasgow Airport to Alicante 15 years ago, the airline and tour operator had just two destinations on sale from Edinburgh Airport and seven from Glasgow Airport. Since its inaugural flights departed, the company has experienced continued growth and success to become the UK’s third largest airline, with Jet2holidays taking the top spot as the UK’s largest tour operator.

As a result of that growth, Jet2 now has 51 destinations on sale from Edinburgh Airport. From Glasgow Airport, the airline and tour operator operates to 40 sun, ski and city destinations, offering customers and independent travel agents in Scotland fantastic choice and flexibility when it comes to reaching their favourite hotspots across Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Canary Islands.

Jet2 continues to expand its offering from Edinburgh Airport, with three new routes on sale for Summer 2026. The new routes are to Girona, Kalamata and Kefalonia and means Jet2 is operating its biggest programme to date from Edinburgh Airport. Looking further ahead, the airline and tour operator will also introduce even more new destinations, including Strasbourg, Sharm El Sheikh, Chania, Skiathos and Pula from Edinburgh Airport.

As Jet2 also celebrates 15 years of operating from Glasgow Airport, its expansion further into Scotland was a strategic move and marked the opening of the airline’s eighth base, establishing it as a key leisure carrier in Scotland.

Jet2 has continued to grow its presence at Glasgow Airport and has two new routes on sale from the Scottish base for Summer 2026, including services to Dubrovnik and Kos. From February 2027, flights and holidays will also launch to Hurghada.

In Summer 2026, Jet2 has over 200 flights departing per week and more than 2.2 million seats on sale from Scotland, meaning customers and independent travel agents have plenty of choice and flexibility.

Over the past two decades, Jet2.com’sVIP customer service, friendly low fares, 10kg hand baggage allowance and great flight times have proven popular amongst customers travelling from Scotland, enabling the company to expand significantly at Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports. As a result of this industry leading customer service, Jet2.com has repeatedly won renowned accolades including being named a Which? Recommended Provider for 11 consecutive years.

Now the UK’s largest tour operator, package holiday specialist Jet2holidays was launched in 2007 on the back of the airline’s success. With its ATOL protected package holidays combining a choice of 2 to 5 star accommodation, in-resort Customer Helpers, return transfers, plus flights including 22kg hold luggage, this award-winning formula has proven extremely popular amongst holidaymakers.

Jet2 20th Aniversery Edinburgh Airport

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “Celebrating 20 years of operations in Scotland is a massive milestone for us and we are proud to be marking this significant event. 

“Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports remain key UK airport bases for Jet2, and just like the last 20 years, we have no doubt that our offering from Scotland will continue to grow as we remain committed to our long-established partnership with the Scottish bases.

“As well as looking back at all that we have achieved over the last 20 years, we are looking ahead to even more success at Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports and look forward to many more years of operating our award-winning flights and holidays.”

Jet2 20th Aniversery Edinburgh Airport

Stephanie Wear, Chief Commercial Officer at Edinburgh Airport, said: “Jet2 has been a hugely important partner for Edinburgh Airport over the last 20 years.

“Since launching its first flight from Edinburgh in 2006, Jet2 has become a key part of our connectivity, providing millions of passengers with fantastic choice.

“The continued expansion of Jet2’s routes, including new ones for summer 2026, demonstrates the strength of demand from Scotland and our shared commitment to offering passengers even more choice when they travel.

“We look forward to building on this partnership for many years to come.”

Visit www.jet2.com or www.jet2holidays.com  

Independent travel agents can visit: trade.jet2holidays.com

NHS Lothian: Building a modern travel health service

International travel has changed significantly over the past decade, increasing the need for accessible, high-quality travel health advice and vaccination services. In NHS Lothian, we have worked to develop a modern service that provides safe, comprehensive care before people travel abroad.

As part of Scotland’s Vaccination Transformation Programme, which came into effect in 2022, responsibility for travel vaccinations moved from GP practices to health boards. In Lothian, we used this opportunity not simply to replace the previous system, but to create a more comprehensive service.

Our model brings together NHS travel vaccinations, expert travel health advice, private vaccinations, antimalarial prescriptions and an individual travel health assessment in one place. Previously, many patients received NHS vaccines from their GP but then had to attend other providers for additional vaccines or malaria prevention. By offering a more holistic service, we can reduce the number of places patients need to visit and help them prepare more effectively for their travels.

A travel clinic has existed within the Regional Infectious Diseases Unit for more than three decades, but the service has expanded significantly in recent years. Activity has risen from around 1,600 new appointments each year to around 12,000 annually, reflecting both growing demand and the value patients place on a comprehensive service.

With such high demand on the service, we know that access to appointments has sometimes been challenging. We have listened carefully to feedback and introduced an online booking system to improve accessibility, although we recognise there have been some issues as the new system is being embedded. As an NHS service, our digital systems meet strict standards for IT governance and patient data protection.

Feedback from patients who attend the clinic has been extremely positive. Our team works incredibly hard to deliver high-quality care and expert advice, and we are proud of the service that has been built.

We also want people to know there are other travel health providers across Lothian. Most travel vaccines and antimalarial medicines are not funded by the NHS and can also be accessed privately through pharmacies and travel clinics. Travellers can also check in advance what they may need by visiting TravelHealthPro: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk

We want the NHS Lothian Travel Health Service to continue evolving so that we can provide accessible, high-quality and comprehensive care. We are grateful for the patience, support and feedback of the public as we continue to improve the service.

If you need to arrange an appointment with our Travel Clinic go to: 

https://services.nhslothian.scot/travelclinics/find-an-nhs-lothian-travel-clinic/ and select ‘Book Online’

Scottish Government announces free rail travel for companions of visually impaired people

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans welcome the Scottish Government announcement today that free rail travel for companions of visually impaired people has been made a permanent policy across all ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services.

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have been campaigning for this ‘life-changing’ decision for over three years through its Fair Rail campaign. The call for a new national policy arose when veterans at Sight Scotland Veterans raised an equality issue: visually impaired people had to pay for a companion on every rail journey, making travel unaffordable, while travelling without support was unsafe. They also highlighted the confusing range of concession and companion schemes across Scotland.

This news means, that from 1 April 2026, anyone with an Eye Plus One National Entitlement Card (NEC) can now travel with a companion throughout Scotland at no extra cost.

The announcement follows a year-long pilot, during which feedback from over 1,500 visually impaired NEC holders was overwhelmingly positive. Among those who knew about the scheme and had travelled by rail:

  • 84 percent used it, showing how popular it became once people were aware of it.
  • Over 95 percent of users reported benefits across every area measured, including independence, mobility, confidence when travelling, travel costs, and feeling safer and more supported.
  • Nearly nine in ten said the scheme had changed how they use rail, with 84 percent taking more trips and 69 percent visiting new places they had not travelled to before.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m pleased to confirm that from 1 April 2026, free companion rail travel for visually impaired people will become a permanent offering. This change will support around 8,000 visually impaired National Entitlement Cardholders who rely on ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services.

“Over the past year, the pilot has clearly shown the profound impact that affordable, accessible rail travel can have for blind and partially sighted people. We’ve seen people travelling more often, gaining confidence, and needing less staff assistance. Feedback from Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans, and – most importantly – passengers themselves has been overwhelmingly positive.

“By making this scheme permanent, we’re opening up greater access to work, education, communities, and everyday life in ways many of us take for granted. This decision strengthens independence, reduces isolation, and improves quality of life, and it reflects our wider commitment to ensuring Scotland’s railway is accessible, affordable, and welcoming for everyone who depends on it.”

Anne Dignan, from Edinburgh, who is deafblind and has macular degeneration, comments: “This news is genuinely life changing. Knowing that free companion rail travel is here to stay gives me confidence and freedom I didn’t have before.

“I can plan trips without worrying about the cost of a companion ticket, travel more often, and explore new places that I couldn’t before without the extra financial burden.

“Thanks to Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans and the tireless work of campaigners, free companion travel means independence, inclusion and the opportunity for people like me with sight loss to access rail travel right across Scotland.”

Agnes Houston, 76, a former army nurse from Coatbridge, who lives with both dementia and visual impairment, says: “I am overwhelmed by this news. It means so much to me.

“Over the past year it has genuinely changed my life, and I was becoming quite worried about the pilot ending. Because of my visual impairment and dementia, I can no longer travel alone, especially over long distances, and I simply could not afford to pay for a companion. The difference the free companion rail travel has made to my mental health is extraordinary.”

Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, comments: “We are delighted the Scottish Government has made free companion rail travel a permanent policy – a major step towards making train travel truly affordable and accessible for everyone.

“After more than three years of campaigning, this is a huge victory for our campaigners, service users, and our External Affairs and Campaigns team, whose hard work has made this possible.”

Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: “We’re delighted the Scottish Government’s free companion rail travel scheme for visually impaired people is being made permanent and proud to be able to play our part in improving the customer experience for people who are blind or have a visual impairment.

“This is a major step towards empowering people to be able to travel with confidence and independence, making train journeys safer and more welcoming for everyone. ScotRail is committed to ensuring the railway works for all of our customers, and the scheme is part of our wider efforts to improve accessibility across our network.”

For more information visit sightscotland.org.uk.

Jet2 gears up for bumper weekend and launches new sale

  • Holidaymakers can enjoy an extra £100 off per booking on Summer 26 holidays with the UK’s favourite tour operator
  • New sale is on top of £100 off per person and super low £25 per person booking deposit too!

The second weekend January is a bumper weekend for holiday bookings, and Jet2 is spreading even more sunshine by launching an unmissable sale that gives customers even bigger holiday savings.

The UK’s favourite tour operator is giving customers the chance to enjoy £100 off all Summer 26 bookings by using the code NOTHINGBEATS. This applies to all holidays and city breaks departing between 1st April and 31st October 2026, but customers need to hurry as the code ends at 23.59 on 12th January 2026.

This new sale comes on top of an existing sale offering customers £100 off per person on ALL holidays, including Summer 26 holidays. As a result, a family of four can enjoy a saving of £500, on top of millions of Free Child Places this summer, and a couple can save £300 when booking a Summer 26 holiday.

The good news does not end there, as the UK’s largest tour operator is also running a super-low £25 per person deposit across Summer 26 holidays, which ends on 23.59 on 12th January 2026.

Jet2holidays is gearing up for a bumper weekend, as customers look to book a holiday with the award-winning company. The tour operator has reported continued demand from customers relishing the famous ‘Nothing beats’ experience, including the fact that booking a Jet2holiday means flying with Jet2.com and their friendly crew.

As well as a VIP customer service from start to finish, customers can enjoy 22kg baggage allowance, 10kg hand luggage, under-seat bag, return transfers, as well as ABTA and ATOL protection.

Customers looking to book a flight with Jet2.com this Winter also have plenty to smile about, whether it’s for some Winter Sun, a ski break or a city break, as the award-winning airline has also today released 70,000 one-way seats departing until 31st March 2026 at £49 or less.

David Hills, Chief Customer Officer at Jet2 said: “We know that this weekend is shaping up to be a busy one, with customers booking their spot in the sunshine with us.

“We always want to give our customers even more to smile about, so we are delighted to be announcing even more money off our award-winning holidays this Summer.

“With truly fantastic deals on offer, alongside our famous customer service and nothing beats reputation, we are looking forward to welcoming lots of happy customers onboard with us this summer, including of course from our brand-new UK airport base at London Gatwick.”

To view terms and conditions please visit: https://www.jet2holidays.com/promotions

To take advantage of this sale, visit:

https://www.jet2holidays.com/ and https://www.jet2.com/

All aboard for savings: the Great British Rail Sale returns!

Discounted train tickets from almost all operators in Britain will be available to buy between 6 – 12 January 2026.

  • the Great British Rail Sale is back, with huge discounts on over 3 million tickets – making train travel more affordable for everyone 
  • travel by rail between 13 January and 25 March 2026 on thousands of popular routes
  • sale comes after the UK government has frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years, putting money back in passengers’ pockets

Millions of discounted train tickets for half-term activities, weekend getaways and commuting will be up for grabs next week. The week-long Great British Rail Sale, running from 6 to 12 January 2026, will give passengers the chance to save well over 50% on many advance and off-peak tickets.

The reduced fares can be used to travel on thousands of popular routes between 13 January and 25 March 2026. Nearly all train operators are taking part, with routes spanning the length and breadth of Britain.

For those looking to visit museums or schedule meetings in the capital, £10 journeys are on offer from south coast destinations like Portsmouth to London Waterloo – that’s a 59% saving. Or for those planning a quick getaway abroad, journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport will cost just £1.20, down from £2.90.

The sale comes as the government eases the cost of living for hard-working people by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years.

The government is also bringing in major reform to Britain’s rail services by establishing Great British Railways (GBR) – the new, nationalised organisation to run the railway. GBR will bring together 17 different organisations under a single directing mind, cutting through bureaucracy to deliver a rail network that passengers can rely on and be proud of.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “The Rail Sale is back – and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in 3 decades to help ease the cost of living.

“We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half-term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions. It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.”

This is the fourth year of the Rail Sale, with last year’s sale saving passengers around £8 per journey. Last year, over 1 million tickets were sold, bringing in over £9 million in ticket sale revenue for the industry. 

Travelling by train remains one of the quickest and greenest ways to get around, with the government committed to getting more people onto the railways, cutting carbon emissions and freeing up vital space on our roads for emergency services and freight.

Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said: “The Rail Sale gives people even more reasons to choose rail, whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new places. Rail continues to play a vital role in the lives of millions, supporting local economies and offering a more sustainable way to travel.

“This year’s Rail Sale will offer millions of discounted advance fares across the network from 6 January, giving customers the chance to save on journeys big and small. By making rail travel more accessible, we hope even more people will enjoy the convenience and comfort of travelling by rail.”

Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, said: “The new year provides the perfect opportunity to hop onto a train and explore Britain’s great tourism treasures sustainably, boosting the economy by supporting our fantastic visitor experiences and attractions.

“Whether it’s a cultural break in one of our vibrant regional cities, a set jetting stay at a world-famous filming backdrop or the friendly welcome from our picturesque coastal and rural destinations, Britain has something for everyone to enjoy, creating memories of a lifetime for visitors.”

British travellers told to expect checks under EU’s Entry-Exit System

Travellers to Europe subject to new entry registrations from today under a phased implementation of the EU’s new digital border system

The Entry Exit System (EES) requires non-EU citizens to register at the EU border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken. 

From today, 12 October, British passport-holders will need to register on their first visit to a country where EES checks are operating. Registration is valid for a rolling three-year period or until the passport expires.  

The new system will be phased in over six months, meaning different ports may have varying requirements until April 2026. This should allow for a gradual implementation that minimises disruption, particularly at peak periods. 

On exit, and for subsequent visits to a participating country, travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either fingerprints or a photograph at the border. 

EES will be a requirement when entering Schengen area countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EES will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus.  

For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK. 

The government has supported these juxtaposed ports (Eurostar, St Pancras; Eurotunnel, Folkestone; and the Port of Dover) with £10.5m of funding for border infrastructure to make the change as smooth as possible for travellers.

While EES is an EU system, the government has been working closely with the travel industry, ports and transport operators to help raise public awareness and understanding of the border changes. 

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible.  

“The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration.”

Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said:  “We’ve backed our ports and operators with £10.5 million to help them get ready for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, ensuring they have the infrastructure and systems in place to manage the changes.

“Our priority is to minimise disruption for travellers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings. We’ll continue working closely with European partners and local resilience forums to keep traffic flowing and journeys smooth.”

Travellers do not need to take any action before travelling and the process is free. Registration will take place upon arrival at the EU border and may take slightly longer than previous border checks. 

Whilst the checks should only take 1-2 minutes for each person, they may lead to longer wait times at border control upon arrival in the Schengen area. At the juxtaposed ports, where registration will be completed in the UK prior to departure, there may be longer waits at busy times. Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the Port of Dover have plans in place to minimise disruption as much as possible. 

Last month, the UK government launched an awareness campaign to help prepare British travellers for the new system.  

Messages advising the public about the changes have been shared across government social media channels, by transport operators and on travel websites. Up to date information can also be found on GOV.UK and FCDO’s Travel Aware pages. 

The EU has introduced EES to replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, helping them to track compliance with the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen their border control. 

British citizens covered by Withdrawal Agreement residence documents and UK-EU dual citizens using their EU passports will be exempt from the new requirements. 

Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules, all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created. 

The UK Government has rolled out its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which is a digital permission to travel for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, or do not have another valid UK immigration status prior to travelling to the UK.​