Latest news with #FaroAirport
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Daily Record
UK holidaymakers can now use eGates at 14 major destinations
The opening of a raft of eGates at airports across Europe means less queues for British tourists this holiday season Holidaymakers heading to popular destinations can breathe a sigh of relief with the news that a host of eGates have now officially opened in time for the summer season. It should mean less queueing for Brits abroad, who, until now, have had to line up for manned immigration booths and have their documents stamped. Portugal announced the opening of their eGates at Faro Airport at the start of the month after the Prime Minister Keir Starmer struck a deal with EU leaders. And now France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and eleven other EU countries have officially reopened fast-track eGates for British tourists. According to Travel and Tour World, passengers will now be able to breeze through 14 airports using the electronic system which will scan UK passports and replace the need for stamping them. Exiting border control through these automated gates was something Brits could do before Brexit. After leaving, that access was restricted. British travellers were then reclassified as "visa-exempt third-country nationals" and initially lost their ability to use e-gates at many European airports. Until now, UK holidaymakers have only been able to use eGates at limited airports in Spain and Portugal. It's led to reports of 'nightmare' queues before peak summer season - July and August - has even arrived. At Faro Airport, prior to the opening of the eGates, we reported on passengers waiting for three hours at the hub to have their passports stamped. This week Sofia Airport in Bulgaria also opened for British fliers. And Tallinn Airport in Estonia has also relaxed the ban and will now allow Brits to use the gates. The amendment to the eGate regulations now mean 49 destinations will allow Brits through their security system, the Sun said, with popular countries such as Paris, Rome, Lisbon and Tenerife on the list. There had been fears that gates would not reopen for Brits before this summer with initial timescales set at October 2025 with the roll out taking place over six months from then. Where Brits Can Use eGates This Summer France: Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon, Nice Italy: Rome Fiumicino, Ciampino, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Venice, Naples, Florence, Bologna, Pisa, Cagliari, Catania, Palermo, Bari, Brindisi, Bergamo, Treviso, Verona, Turin, Olbia Spain: Alicante, Mallorca, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Ibiza Portugal: Lisbon, Faro Germany: EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (shared with France) Belgium: Brussels Airport Netherlands: Amsterdam Schiphol (exit only) Cyprus: Larnaca, Paphos Ireland: Dublin Hungary: Budapest Czech Republic: Prague (Terminal 1) Finland: Helsinki Bulgaria: Sofia Estonia: Tallinn (starting next year) Eurotunnel/Eurostar: Folkestone Terminal, Calais Terminal, Port of Calais, Eurostar Paris Gare du Nord, London St Pancras
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
Fighter Jets escort holiday flight to Spain after 'bomb threat'
Portuguese Air Force jets were scrambled to accompany a flight full of holidaymakers bound for Lanzarote after reports of a bomb on board. The action was taken after a 'bomb threat' was reported to the crew on board the jet, causing pilots to request permission to land in Faro, Portugal. A statement from the Portuguese Air Force said: 'This morning, at 9am, the Air Force activated the F-16M alert pair after a civilian aircraft declared a potential bomb threat on board when crossing national airspace, intending to divert to Faro Airport'. A stock image of a F16 fighter jet. Pic: Getty Images The plane was later given permission to travel on to its intended destination of Lanzarote and landed safely and without other incident. The statement from the Portuguese Air Force concluded with 'Upon leaving the national flight information region, responsibility passed to Spain, with the Portuguese F-16Ms carrying out the handover of the mission and subsequent return to Monte Real'. A full investigation is underway as to what caused the alert and who was responsible.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Fighter jets deployed in Portugal after commercial plane declares 'bomb threat'
The plane landed at Lanzarote Airport after receiving help from the Portuguese Air Force. Air force jets were scrambled to the skies this morning in Portugal after a bomb threat was detected on a plane as it crossed national air space. Two fighter jets were sent to help support a commercial plane, believed to be heading to Spain, as it received emergency assistance from the authorities in Monte Real. The air force located the plane after a bomb threat was reported. It was set to divert to Faro Airport, however it managed to land at the intended place, Lanzarote Airport. The Mirror reports that a Portuguese Air Force spokesperson said: "This morning, at 9:00 am, the Air Force activated the F-16M alert pair after a civilian aircraft declared a potential bomb threat on board when crossing national airspace, intending to divert to Faro Airport. "For the mission, two F-16Ms took off from Air Base No. 5, in Monte Real, on permanent alert. With the F-16Ms already monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and good management of national airspace, the crew of the civilian aircraft decided to continue the flight to the destination airport, outside national territory. "Upon leaving the national flight information region, responsibility passed to Spain, with the Portuguese F-16Ms carrying out the handover of the mission and subsequent return to Monte Real. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "The Air Force guarantees a permanent alert of F-16M for national air defense, responding to all situations to guarantee national sovereignty and good management and safety of air traffic, in strict compliance with national and international recommendations." This comes after reports suggested the head of the RAF is set to be appointed as the new chief of the British armed forces, according to reports. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton is thought to be in line to be the next Chief of Defence Staff. The position is currently held by Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who has been in the role since 2021. According to his biography on the Government website, Sir Richard joined the RAF in 1989 as a university cadet, and served as deputy chief of the defence staff from 2019 to 2022. The appointment comes as the Government has pledged to increase defence spending in the UK to 2.5% of gross domestic product on defence from April 2027, with a goal of increasing that to 3% over the next parliament, a timetable which could stretch to 2034. The Ministry of Defence said: 'This is speculation. The appointment process is ongoing and any announcement will be made in the usual way.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Bomb threat' on flight to Lanzarote as fighter jets scramble to intercept plane
Portuguese Air Force jets were scrambled this morning after a bomb threat was reported on a civilian plane crossing national airspace. The passenger aircraft, believed to be headed for Lanzarote in Spain, received emergency support from authorities at Monte Real Air Base. Two F-16 fighter jets were sent to help support the aircraft. They left the air base on permanent alert after the bomb threat was reported and located the plane, Mirror UK reports. Initially, the flight was set to divert to Faro Airport in southern Portugal, but the crew continued to their original destination, landing safely at Lanzarote Airport in the Canary Islands. A Portuguese Air Force spokesperson said: "This morning, at 9:00 am, the Air Force activated the F-16M alert pair after a civilian aircraft declared a potential bomb threat on board when crossing national airspace, intending to divert to Faro Airport. "For the mission, two F-16Ms took off from Air Base No. 5, in Monte Real, on permanent alert. With the F-16Ms already monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and good management of national airspace, the crew of the civilian aircraft decided to continue the flight to the destination airport, outside national territory. "Upon leaving the national flight information region, responsibility passed to Spain, with the Portuguese F-16Ms carrying out the handover of the mission and subsequent return to Monte Real. "The Air Force guarantees a permanent alert of F-16M for national air defense, responding to all situations to guarantee national sovereignty and good management and safety of air traffic, in strict compliance with national and international recommendations."
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Three holiday destinations make major airport change to make it easier for UK passport-holders
Three holiday destinations make major airport change to make it easier for UK passport-holders There are now 48 places where people can use passport eGates British passport holders can use eGates to enter Tallinn from next year (Image: Getty ) A number of countries have now started allowing British passport-holders to use eGates when they travel. The number of places where British passport holders can use electronic passport gates is now 48, the UK Government says. Gates at Sofia Airport T2 in Bulgaria opened to British holidaymakers on Tuesday. Estonia will open eGates at Tallinn Airport from late 2026. Faro Airport opened its eGates to British passport-holders this month and it means Paris (via Eurostar and air), Rome, Tenerife, and Lisbon are all now in the scheme. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. The pledge to allow people to use the eGates was made at a summit last month between the UK Government and European Union. You can read about that deal here. Article continues below EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "Today's eGates win is great news for Brits travelling to the EU – and a clear sign of the government's pragmatic reset of our relationship with Brussels and European capitals." The UK Government say more countries are set to follow suit in the months to come. Where can British passport holders use eGates? Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris Orly Airport Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Marseille Provence Airport Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport Nice Airport Eurostar Paris Gare du Nord Terminal Eurostar London St Pancras Terminal Eurotunnel Folkestone Terminal Eurotunnel Calais Terminal Port of Calais Alicante Mallorca Tenerife Lanzarote Egates Gran Canaria Ibiza Naples Airport Rome Fiumicino Airport Rome Ciampino Airport Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport Venice Marco Polo Airport Cagliari Airport Milan Malpensa Airport Milan Linate Airport Bari Airport Brindisi Airport Bergamo Airport Treviso Airport Verona Villafranca Airport Florence Airport Pisa International Airport Turin Airport Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport Catania Airport Palermo Airport Lisbon Airport Terminal 1 Faro Airport Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (exit only) Larnaca International Airport Paphos International Airport Brussels airport Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport Dublin airport Prague airport Terminal 1 Helsinki airport Article continues below There is however a warning that ports may trial, open, or close eGate periodically for operational reasons.
