Ryanair axes winter flights following Boeing MAX delays

The low-fare-high-fee carrier Ryanair has axed a number of flights from its winter schedules because of a delay in aircraft deliveries from Boeing, UK travel trade magazine, TTG reported on Thursday. 

The airline will only receive 14 of the 27 new 737 MAX jets that it was due to receive between September and December this year. Boeing claims the delays are due to production issues at its Kansas factory and repair and delivery delays in Seattle.

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:  "We are working closely with Boeing and their supplier, Spirit, to minimise these delivery delays. It is deeply regrettable that production problems in Wichita, and in Seattle, have yet again delayed Boeing’s contracted deliveries to Ryanair this winter. We are in regular dialogue with Boeing, and our primary objective is to ensure we get delivery of all 57 contracted B737 aircraft before the end of May 2024, so that Ryanair’s fleet can grow to over 600 aircraft for what will be our largest ever summer flight programme. These flight cancellations will take effect from the end of Oct, and will be communicated to all affected passengers by email over the coming days. Passengers will be offered reaccommodation on alternative flights or full refunds as they so wish. We apologise sincerely to passengers for any inconvenience caused by these delivery delays this winter."

 

 

Ryanair to open base in Copenhagen in December 2023

Ryanair, the budget airline has confirmed it will expand in Denmark by opening a 2 aircraft base at Copenhagen from December 2023. This expasion will create 100 direct positions and many more indirectly.

Ryanair is already Copenhagen’s No. 3 airline operating 20 routes and carrying 2.3million  passengers a year.  This new 2 aircraft base will allow Ryanair to offer its unbeatable low fares to Danish citizens and visitors in direct competition to the finacially strained SAS.    

Ryanair’s winter ’23 schedule to/from Copenhagen offers 24 routes, with 4 exciting new destinations to Dusseldorf, Faro, Paris and Warsaw, and increased frequencies to Gdansk and Krakow.

The low-fare high-fee airline says it expects to operate from Copenhagen’s low-cost “CPH GO” pier. At the announcement the carrier took a swipe at the the airport and the Danish authorities demanding they lower fees and charges which its claims arte hampering recovery efforts. 

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said the new base:  "Represents a further $200m investment by Ryanair in the recovery of air traffic and tourism in Copenhagen, which continues to lag behind its pre-Covid volumes. Ryanair believes this is because the high airport fees and the high fares being charged by NAS and SAS which hampers recovery of Danish traffic and tourism."

Never one to shy away from a publicity stunt, the racist leader of the carrier even donned a horned helmet for the announcement despite there being no evidence that viking warriors ever used helmets with horns.  

Ryanair to launch four new routes from Jordan this winter.

The budget airline Ryanair is launching its biggest-ever Winter schedule to/from Amman and Aqaba in Jordan with 25 routes including 4 new routes to Brussels, Madrid, Marseille, and Pisa for Winter ’23. 

This year’s Winter ‘23 schedule marks an important milestone for Ryanair which over the past 5 years worked closely with its partners in the Jordan Tourism Board to transform Jordanian Tourism and connectivity since the airline’s first flight took off from Amman to Paphos back in 2018 and since then, has grown to carry over 1.7 million passengers to/from Jordan. Together they encourage more people to visit the numerous wonders of the Kingdom such as Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and the coastal Aqaba area.  

Ryanair’s Jordan Winter ‘23 schedule will deliver:

25 total routes 

Including 4 new routes Brussels, Madrid, Marseille, & Pisa

Over 100 flights per week

30% growth vs Winter ‘22

Over 600,000 passengers to/from Jordan each year.

Support over 500 local jobs

The Jordan Tourism Board Managing Director, Dr. Abed Al-Razzaq Arabiyat, said:  “This is a strategic partnership between the Jordan Tourism Board and Ryanair and the renewal for another five years is really important for Jordan in order to increase tourism to the country, Ryanair is a strong partner who brought new tourists to Jordan and gave us greater visibility with their expansive network. We look forward to Ryanair expanding further and bringing more connectivity, tourism and hopefully one day in the future adding a hub here in Jordan.”

Mega order for 737 MAX jets from Ryanair........up to 300 aircraft

The Irish low-fare airline Ryanair has made its largest Boeing order with up to 300 jets to help it dominate the European travel market.

The deal includes a firm order for 150 737-MAX 10 jets and options for 150 more aircraft. When finalized, and subject to all options being exercised, this deal is valued at over $40bn at current list prices and is the largest order ever placed by an Irish Company for US manufactured goods.

Ryanair has deployed a growing fleet of 737-MAX 8 -200 aeroplanes to accelerate its post-pandemic recovery and meet strong travel demand. The 197-seat 737-MAX 8-200 model has helped the airline reduce fuel use and emissions by over 20% compared to the older 737s they are replacing and reduces the space allotted to customers.  The new order adds the larger 737- MAX 10 variant, which with give the airline 228 seats to fill on each flight.  

The bombastic Ryanair Group CEO Michael  O’Leary said: "Ryanair is pleased to sign this record aircraft order for up to 300 MAX-10s with our aircraft partner Boeing.  These new, fuel-efficient, greener technology aircraft offer 21% more seats, burn 20% less fuel and are 50% quieter than our B737-NGs."

According to the airline, this order will help it create 10,000 new jobs which will be located across all of Europe’s main economies where Ryanair operates and is either the No.1 or No.2 airline.

"The Boeing-Ryanair partnership is one of the most productive in commercial aviation history, enabling both companies to succeed and expand affordable travel to hundreds of millions of people," said Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun. "Nearly a quarter century after our companies signed our first direct aeroplane purchase, this landmark deal will further strengthen our partnership. We are committed to delivering for Ryanair and helping the airline group achieve its goals."

Given the size and scale of the transaction, it will be subject to shareholder approval at the next Annual General Meeting on September 14th. 

Ryanair's petition reaches 600,000 signatures ahead of Monday's French ATC strike.

Over 600,000 passengers have signed Ryanair's “Protect Passengers: Keep EU Skies Open” petition calling on the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take immediate action to protect European citizens’ Freedom of Movement and overflights during French ATC strikes.

The budget carrier where says that when the petition reaches 1 million signatures it will submit it to the EU Commission and demand action be taken.

The petition was started 5 weeks ago by the low-fare-high-fee airline from people it says are passengers that are sick and tired of having their travel plans cancelled at short notice due to French ATC strikes.

Ryanair contends that passengers' right to Freedom of Movement overshadows and overrules other citizens' rights to strike for fair pay. 

In the first 4 months of 2023, there have been over 50 days of French ATC strikes during which Ryanair cancelled more than 3,700 flights.

The airline says France uses Minimum Service Legislation to protect French domestic flights, while EU overflights from Germany, Spain, Italy, the UK and Ireland are disproportionately cancelled. Ryanair says this is unfair and must change. Italy and Greece already protect overflights during ATC strikes and the EU Commission must now insist that France does likewise.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: "We are overwhelmed by the support for our Protect Passengers: Keep EU Skies Open petition with over 600,000 signatures already from passengers calling on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take immediate action to protect their Freedom of Movement and overflights by keeping EU skies open during repeated French ATC strikes. We are rapidly approaching the 1 million signatures we need to force the EU Commission to take action to protect overflights and EU citizens’ Freedom of Movement.

French ATC strikes are the No.1 risk to EU citizens’ travel plans this Summer and passengers are really starting to understand that the EU Commission is doing nothing to mitigate that risk and protect their Freedom of Movement. EU citizens are now signing our petition to demand action from the EU Commission to protect them and their family’s travel plans this Summer. The EU’s Single Market for air travel should not be repeatedly disrupted by tiny French ATC unions because the EU Commission fails to take action. It’s time to protect overflights during French ATC strikes as Italy and Greece already do. If French ATC unions insist to strike (as is their right) then cancel French flights and protect overflights."

The next strike is on Monday,  a bank holiday in the UK and Ryanair has cancelled more than 200 flights. 

Ryanair to offer 12 weekly flights from Exeter in summer.

The UK's budget airline Ryanair has confirmed its new Exeter schedule for Summer 2023, with 12 weekly flights across 3 sunny hotspot destinations, including its new Faro route operating 4 time per week from Sunday, 4 June.

Ryanair’s Exeter Summer 2023 schedule will deliver:

– 3 routes (incl. 1 new) – Alicante, Faro & Malaga

– 12 weekly flights

– +67% growth on Summer 2022

– 63K passengers to/from Exeter in FY24

– Over 45 local jobs

Exeter citizens/visitors can now book a well-deserved Summer break enjoying Ryanair’s lowest fares to the widest choice of destinations, incl. its exciting new Faro route for Summer 2023, on Ryanair.com.

Ryanair’s Head of Communications, Jade Kirwan, said:  “Ryanair is pleased to announce our Exeter schedule for Summer 2023 (+67% growth on S22), with over 12 weekly flights across 3 sunny hotspot destinations, including our exciting new Faro route, offering Exeter citizens/visitors even more choice for their summer holidays at the lowest fares in Europe.

For cost-conscious families, there is no better choice than Ryanair’s industry-leading low fares, particularly now that you can spread out the cost of your holiday by paying half the price now and the other half up to 40 days pre-departure when you book Ryanair’s Family Plus bundle, making family holidays easier for everyone.

We look forward to welcoming thousands of customers/visitors onboard our flights to/from Exeter this Summer as Ryanair continues to deliver more traffic, connectivity, and lower fares than any other airline for the UK.”

Exeter Airport Managing Director, Stephen Wiltshire, said:  “We’re delighted to see Ryanair growing its schedule from Exeter Airport and offering even more choice to local customers. The new route to Faro this summer adds to Ryanair’s year-round flights to Alicante and Malaga and is a fantastic addition to our network, with a total of 26 destinations on offer this year.”

Ryanair expands flights from Exeter Airport

Ryanair, Europe’s No1 airline, is expanding its schedule from Exeter Airport with the launch of new flights to Portugal.  The twice weekly flights to Faro, capital of southern Portugal’s stunning Algarve region, start from 4th June next year and run throughout the summer to late October.

The new service adds to Ryanair’s year-round flights to Alicante and Malaga in Spain from Exeter Airport. The last time flights operated from Exeter to Faro was in 2019, with Flybe. 

Stephen Wiltshire, managing director of Exeter Airport, said: “This is great news for passengers and adds another great destination to Exeter Airport’s schedule for next summer. Faro has always been a popular route and I’m sure passengers will be delighted to see its return.” 

Dara Brady, Director of Digital & Marketing, Ryanair said: “We are pleased to announce this new from Exeter to Faro for Summer ’23, giving our Exeter customers greater choice when planning their upcoming summer holidays to the beaches of the Algarve.”

Exeter Airport is currently offering winter sunshine breaks with year-round flights to Alicante, Lanzarote, Malaga and Tenerife, and flights to Gran Canaria until mid-April. Weekly ski flights to Chambery run until 18th March, and the airport has year-round flights to Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Guernsey and Jersey.

Ryanair And OMV Sign 160,000 Tonne SAF Deal

Ryanair, the budget airline of Europe, OMV, the international integrated oil, gas and chemicals company headquartered in Vienna, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Ryanair airports across Austria, Germany and Romania. While limited production of SAF remains a global aviation issue, this MoU gives Ryanair unique access to purchase up to 160,000 tonnes (53m gallons) of SAF from OMV over the next 8 years, saving over 400,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions (equivalent to c.25,000 Ryanair flights from Dublin to Vienna).

This landmark deal demonstrates Ryanair’s continued commitment towards 12.5% SAF by 2030 target and the airline’s ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Ryanair has already made significant progress towards its environmental goals through its $22bn investment in its new Boeing 737 ‘Gamechanger’ fleet, which produce 16% less emissions and 40% less noise; the Sustainable Aviation Research Centre in Trinity College Dublin, and now its partnership with OMV, who is also advancing its ambitious strategic sustainability goals by adding SAF to its product range among several other measures.

Speaking from Vienna, Ryanair’s Director of Sustainability, Thomas Fowler said:

“SAF plays a key role in our Pathway to Net Zero decarbonisation strategy in which we have committed to increasing our use of SAF over the coming years – a commitment that this deal with OMV will help move further forward. OMV is a key partner for Ryanair in Austria, Germany and Romania and we look forward to growing this partnership as Europe’s largest airline Group.”

Nina Marczell, OMV Vice President Aviation, Fuels Distributors & Public Sector:

“We are committed to reducing our own carbon footprint as well as supporting our customers in reducing theirs. This Memorandum of Understanding is a great opportunity to accelerate both companies’ sustainability efforts. Sustainable aviation fuel significantly reduces CO2 emissions, and we are delighted to collaborate with a strong partner like Ryanair and to provide solutions for the sustainable development of the aviation industry.”

Ryanair to battle Hungarian government over tax issue

Budget airline Ryanair said it would appeal to the courts after Hungary fined it for passing on the cost of a special business tax, worth 800 billion forints ($2.1 billion) in total, following a consumer protection investigation, reports Reuters. 

Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government in May announced the special tax measure targeting "extra profits" earned by major banks, energy companies and other firms, aiming to plug budget holes created by a spending spree that helped him gain re-election in April.

"The consumer protection authority has found a breach of the law today because the airline (Ryanair) has misled customers with its unfair business practice," Justice Minister Judit Varga said in a Facebook post on Monday.

"Ryanair ... will immediately appeal any baseless fine raised by the Hungarian Consumer Protection Agency," the email said. "No notice of any such fine has yet been received by Ryanair. If necessary, Ryanair will appeal this matter to the EU courts."

The new levy on involves a tax worth 10 to 25 euros on passengers departing Hungary from July.

Ryanair Spanish cabin crew 12 more strike days ......

Ryanair cabin crew based in Spanis have issued advance notification of 12 days of strike action over a dispute regarding pay and conditions. The Spanish unions USO and SICTPLA confirmed at the weekend that cabin crew would take the action over July 12-15, 18-21 and 25-28 at 10 Spanish airports where the budget carrier operates.  

In a statement, the unions said:  "The unions and crew of Ryanair ... demand a change of attitude from the airline," calling for Ryanair to return to negotiations over pay issues including the payment of the minimum wage.  Unions also called on the government "not to allow Ryanair to violate labour legislation and constitutional rights such as the right to strike".

Ryanair remained bullish on its stance, claiming the action would have minimal effect on the airline, just as the current action had only caused 10 flight cancellations, it also said the strike had little support with a spokesperson saying the crew were lucky to have jobs at all, given the current situatuion. 

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Fuel leak causes Ryanair delay at East Midlands

Photo Ryanair

A Ryanair flight from East Midlands Airport had to be delayed for a number of hours today after a fuel leak during its turnaround this morning.   The 737 jet was operating flight FR9085 to Alicante in Spain, with a scheduled departure time of 7.05am. However, the leak saw fuel pouring out and all over the apron causing an emergency response and leading to a delay of a number of hours.  

A spokesperson for the airport said: "A technical issue during re-fuelling delayed the departure of a Ryanair flight to Alicante this morning. The flight is due to leave early afternoon. It has had no impact on other operations."

Air Models have a range of aircraft models, including some special 737 MAX models, including this one in the colours of flydubai.  

Other airlines featured include Air China,  Xiamen Air and China Southern 

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UK "Government couldn’t run a sweet shop” fumes boss of Ryanair.

Michael O'Leary the boss of the low-fare-high-fee carrier Ryanair has taken another shot at the UK’s government over the continuing travel chaos endured at some of the UK’s leading airports.  The bombastic boss warned that the disruption could continue throughout summer and into the autumn travel period.

Speaking to Sky News, he said that London Gatwick and London Heathrow would be the worst affected by the situation saying that thousands of flights would need to be cancelled. "I think this problem is going to continue, particularly at those airports like Gatwick and Heathrow, right throughout the summer.  It will be worse at weekends, it will be better during the week."

O'Leary blustered that Ryanair was fully staffed and operating a full schedule so its not his fault there is disruption. Yet, crewing staff have a different opinion – “we’re running at 10% below [staff numbers] than what we need right now.”

Ryanair saw around 24% of its flights delayed over the weekend, due to air traffic control delays, a further 15% were affected by delays at the airport or with handling firms.

The multi-millionaire O’Leary said: the cause of the disruption was "one of the by-products of the struggle to recover smoothly from two years of COVID lockdown and government mismanagement".

It didn’t take the Irishman long before he started blaming Brexit, telling the TV channel “This problem will not be resolved until we start allowing European workers to come in and do the jobs that, frankly, UK people no longer wish to do."

"And Brexit is one of the big bug bears in the system - it has introduced enormous labour market inflexibility in the UK."

He also sneered at government comments that the aviation industry was one of the best-supported sectors during the covid pandemic. "That's the government's response to everything - this government couldn't run a sweet shop," he bemoaned, adding: “The problem here is not one of the airlines' making.”

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Ryanair dropping Afrikaans test

The low-fare-high-fee airline Ryanair is dropping its controversial and racist ‘Afrikaans’ test for holders of South African passports holders.

The group's chief executive Michael O’Leary told the media that imposing the test “doesn’t make any sense”.

Ryanair introduced the test some time ago following an alleged influx of fake passports from South Africa. Anyone who failed the test wouldn’t be allowed to travel but would be given a full refund according to the airline last week.

Many complained that the test was racist and a large section of the population see Afrikaans as a symbol of minority white rule. South Africa has 11 languages in common usage and the budget airline hadn’t disclosed why it chose Afrikaans.

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More travel chaos ahead as strike action looms.....

Just when you thought the travel chaos at Britain’s airports was as bad as it gets, things are set to get worse for passengers of budget airline Ryanair, whose staff are set to walk out.

Cabin crew for the carrier based in Spain are scheduled to go on strike between 24th June and 30th June and again on the first two days of July. Unions advise that staff are taking action over working conditions and pay. The airline doesn’t think any strikes will go ahead as a collective agreement with CCOO.

Scandinavian Airlines System pilots in Sweden have also announced a round of strike action set to begin at the end of this moth after negotiations broke up in failure. 

Swedish pilots' union SPF advised that as no agreement had been reached, flight deck crew will take industrial action in Norway, Sweden and Denmark from 29th June. It is understood that around 900 pilots would strike affecting approximately 250 flights each day across the airline’s route network.

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New Ryanair services from Bournemouth Airport to Bergerac and Zadar commence this month

One of two new Ryanair routes launching this month from Bournemouth Airport gets underway this weekend with the start of flights to Bergerac in France on Saturday 4th June.

And later this month, on 18th June, Ryanair will start a new service to the resort of Zadar on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast.

It brings to 15 the number of Ryanair routes available from Bournemouth this summer. Both flights operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Tickets are on sale at ryanair.com

Bergerac is a quintessential medieval French town on the banks of the Dordogne and a gateway to south west France.

Zadar meanwhile is described by Rough Guides as “one of the coolest places on the Adriatic”, renowned for its Roman and Venetian ruins, uncrowded beaches and proximity to Croatia’s national parks.

Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “Our summer season is well and truly underway and it’s great to see Ryanair bringing even more choice to holidaymakers from their local airport. We’ve got 33 destinations on offer this year to 16 countries and the travel industry really is starting to bounce back to meet strong demand for overseas travel.”

Ryanair’s 15 routes from Bournemouth include: Spain: Alicante, Girona (Barcelona), Gran Canaria, Malaga, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife; Ireland: Dublin; Hungary: Budapest; Poland: Krakow and Wroclaw; Portugal: Faro and Lisbon; Croatia: Zadar and France: Bergerac.

Across its route network, Ryanair operated over 88,400 flights in May, carrying 15.4 million passengers,  up over 750% from the same month last year. 

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Ryanair cabin crew member sacked for drinking on flight from Poland to London Stansted

A steward that worked for Lauda Europe, a subsidiary of budget airline Ryanair has been sacked after photos of him downing drinks during a flight went viral and complaints to the captain. 

Sam Thompson, 26, was captured having a whiskey and glugging down a  miniature bottle of wine in the galley whilst working as cabin crew.

According to a report in the Sun,  Thompson was caught after a passenger asked him for a drink and he is alleged to have said "Shush, don’t tell anyone but I will have one, too" and downed a small bottle of Jack Daniels.

A few photos and a video were taken and Thomson, who appeared drunk according to the passenger, as he glugged down the rose wine. The captain was informed and Thompson was arrested upon arrival and failed a breath test. 

Essex Police confirmed that a male had been arrested and charged with “performing an aviation function, namely being a member of cabin of an aircraft during flight, when their ability to do so was impaired because of drink”. 

Ryanair said “Lauda Europe has investigated a reported individual cabin crew breach of this strict policy. The cabin crew member in question no longer operates for Lauda Europe.”

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Ryanair carries 14.2 million people during April and load factor soars to over 90%

One of Europe's leading low-cost carriers Ryanair saw its load factor soar to over 90% during the month of April and carried around 14.2 million people on over 82,600 flights. 

The low-fare-high-fee airline carried 11.2 million passengers in March and just over 1.4 million people in April last year. So far this year the airline has carried 110.2 million people.    

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New route to Malta

Ryanair is all set to start a new route from Bournemouth to Malta for this summer. The opening of this route operating twice per week will give holidaymakers even more choice of destinations, with a total of 15 routes operating to/from Bournemouth this Summer.

Ryanair’s Marketing Director, Dara Brady said:  "As Europe’s no. 1 airline, Ryanair is delighted to announce an exciting new Summer’22 route to Malta which will operate twice weekly starting this July. The opening of this route from Bournemouth reinforces our commitment to increasing connectivity, and travel options for our UK customers with 15 choices of destinations to/from Bournemouth this Summer."

Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, Steve Gill said: “We’re delighted to see the return of Malta which is a very popular route from Bournemouth and will be warmly welcomed by passengers. It’s further evidence of our strengthening route network and means we can offer even more choice this Summer.”

Put your feet up and relax in beautiful Malta! Discover St. George's Bay, just a stone's throw from a sandy beach and the vibrant town of St. Julian's. Explore the streets of Valletta, described as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Swim across lagoons in gin-clear waters, to reach inhabited islets, and soak in the sun away from everything.

A perfect island getaway!

Conveniently located in St. Julian's, the resort is only 13.5 kilometres from Malta International Airport and under 10 kilometres from Valletta, the Maltese capital. The Radisson Blu Resort, Malta St. Julian's features 252 stylish rooms and suites including a balcony or terrace where you can admire the lovely vistas. Some rooms offer a view stretching as far as Malta's sister island, Gozo.

Savour exquisite amenities at this chic St. Julian's hotel, which has 4 restaurants and bars at the Radisson Blu St. Julian's Hotel offers a diverse experience. Indulge in Mediterranean dishes at Le Bistro, or enjoy themed dining with varied buffets at Kon Tiki. At the Edge Restaurant, you can choose prime cuts of meat and fresh fish from the display, then watch our master grillers cook your selection. Sip cocktails on the terrace at The Bridge Bar as you take in the sea view.

In addition to a gym, 2 outdoor pool decks, an indoor pool and 2 tennis courts, this Malta resort is home to a boutique spa and wellness centre. You can explore the clear sea and learn to dive like a pro with classes from the resort's diving school.

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Enjoy white sands and clear waters in Mellieha

Along with sunbathing, swimming and other beach activities, Mellieha is home to many local attractions, such as the Mosta Dome, and St. Paul's Bay, or family favourite of Popeye Village Malta, where Robin Williams filmed the musical. Take a walk to the country's only national park Il Majjistral to see the beauty of Malta's untouched wilderness. For added island adventure and beautiful Mediterranean scenery, take a ferry to the neighbouring island of Gozo.

Situated on the northwest coast of an island paradise, the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands lies on the magnificent shores of Golden Bay Beach, near Mellieha. This amazing beach resort offers everything you could wish for from an upscale spa hotel, including panoramic views and easy access to the sand and clear blue saltwater.

Along with sunbathing, swimming and other beach activities, this Mellieha hotel is near a variety of local attractions, such as the Mosta Dome, and St. Paul's Bay is just 5 kilometres away.

A stylish resort hotel on the shores of Golden Bay

To help you make the most of your Mediterranean vacation, the spa resort in Malta offers lavish accommodation that capitalizes on the surrounding scenery with balconies and plenty of windows. After a day of fun in the sun, retreat to your room or suite to enjoy the elegant interior design and modern amenities, such as minibars and free high-speed Wi-Fi.

Dining is also a pleasure at the Golden Sands resort, with 4 on-site restaurants and 3 on-site bars – perfect for celebrating special occasions over food and drinks.

When you're not busy enjoying the sand and sea, you can also take advantage of the 5-star services at the hotel spa. Additionally, the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands Malta hotel features 12 attractive conference rooms suitable for corporate and social functions, with the largest space capable of hosting up to 900 delegates.

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Ryanair reveals its top city break destinations.................

The low-fare-high-fee airline Ryanair has revealed its top-selling city break destinations.

Amsterdam – boasting more than 160 canals, book a cruise to soak up all that Amsterdam has to offer and hang up your walking shoes for a few hours. With an array of must-see museums, make sure to add the world-famous Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh and Anne Frank House to your list. If a canal cruise isn’t for you, Amsterdam is a cyclist’s dream. Why not hop on a bike and pedal your way through the city’s historic and cultural sights, from bustling Dam Square to iconic street markets, and not forgetting about the Red Light District.

Top hotels in Amsterdam:

art'otel Amsterdam

A boutique-style hotel in central Amsterdam, art'otel Amsterdam leads a new generation of hotels. Artwork from Atelier Van Lieshout is exhibited throughout the property, seamlessly fusing art with modern luxury to form an enriching experience. Discover art'otel Gallery space which hosts a various number of exhibitions and artworks from all over the world. Our brand new restaurant, ARCA Amsterdam, has recently opened its doors to the general public and hotel guests. Led by 2 starred Michelin Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, ARCA Amsterdam brings to life modern Portuguese dishes with an Asian twist! Visit here for more information and reservations.

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam.

A clever combination of antique and modern, Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam boasts historic architecture and contemporary accommodation in the city centre, just a five-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station. Easily accessible when travelling from Amsterdam airport to the city centre, our iconic hotel is the place for traditional Dutch cuisine and spacious, elegant rooms. Hotel amenities include free Wi-Fi, flavourful on-site dining, a fitness centre, an indoor pool and a sauna. Originally known as Victoria Hotel, Amsterdam and opened on August 19th 1890, the hotel has been immortalised in popular culture by historians, novelists, filmmakers and fashionistas alike. Over the years a long list of prestigious guests, from Louis Armstrong to Mata Hari, have visited the hotel which today enjoys its status as a National Heritage Site. Visit here for more information and reservations.

Park Plaza Vondelpark, Amsterdam

Park Plaza Vondelpark, Amsterdam is a boutique-style hotel in Amsterdam’s uptown neighbourhood Oud-Zuid, just steps from the beautiful Vondelpark. Enjoy the vibrant ‘Little Paris’ famous for its large variety of exclusive shops, restaurants and bars, and the city’s main highlights such as Museum Square where the best museums in Amsterdam can be found. Park Plaza Vondelpark Amsterdam puts guests within walking distance of Vondelpark, Museum Square and Cornelis Schuytstraat tram stop which offers direct access to Leidse Square, Dam Square and Central Station. Amsterdam's Oud Zuid is a great choice for travellers interested in museums, culture, walking and biking.  Visit here for more information and reservations. Please visit here for more information and reservations. 

Budapest

Budapest – party lovers – this one is for you. Budapest boasts a vibrant nightlife with amazing bars and restaurants. Famously known for being the spa capital of the world and its Ruin bars – this combination of unique architecture, panoramic views and River Danube makes it a fantastic city to explore for a last-minute city escape.

Top hotels in Budapest:

art'otel Budapest

Spectacular views of the Danube River and the Országház (Hungarian Parliament Building) are the first to greet guests at art'otel Budapest. Spacious rooms with contemporary interior design and artwork by famed artist Donald Sultan are the perfect backdrop for your stylish stay in Hungary's capital. Sip a cold drink at the bar while gazing out at stunning castles, cathedrals and other landmarks in central Budapest. Located on the banks of the Danube, art'otel Budapest provides contemporary rooms and suites near the best attractions in Hungary's capital city. Please visit here for more information and reservations. 

Radisson Blu Beke Hotel, Budapest

Built in 1913, the Radisson Blu Béke Hotel in Budapest invites you to step back in time. Its elegant traditional exterior partners well with the stained-glass windows and frescoes created by Hungarian artist Jenő Haranghy. Ideally located close to both the business and shopping districts, the hotel is within walking distance of popular attractions like the famous Andrássy Street, State Opera House, and Heroes' Square. Cultural attractions like the famous Andrássy Street and the historical castle district are within walking distance of this Budapest hotel's location. Because the hotel is close to transport options, guests can easily also explore farther afield. While you're here, don't miss a performance at the Hungarian State Opera House, about 10 minutes away by foot. Or, mingle with the locals on Margaret Island, a scenic park in the middle of the Danube. Please visit here for more details, information and reservations.

Park Inn by Radisson Budapest

Located in the heart of Budapest's fastest-growing business district, the stylish Park Inn by Radisson Budapest is the perfect starting point for your stay in the Hungarian capital, both for business trips and city breaks. Whether you'd like to host a meeting or explore the beauty of Budapest, our hotel is a well-connected, convenient choice. Located in Budapest's business district, we're well-positioned for day trips to Visegrád and Szentendre or excursions to the Buda hills. The city centre is easy to reach by taxi or public transport, and our front of house team is happy to help with tips and directions. Discover all the treasures of Budapest, including world-class spas, cultural spots, and famous tourist attractions. Please visit here for more details, prices and reservations. 

Vienna

Vienna – renowned around the world as the City of Music, this vibrant city is a must-see for city break adventurers, filled with art collections, must-see attractions and colourful architecture. Check out the Vienna State Opera & Philharmonic Orchestra – which hosts over 15,000 events a year; pay a visit to The Schonbrunn, to Belvedere Palace and St. Stephens’s Cathedral. Whether you’re visiting for a day or several, there’s plenty to explore in this lively city.

Top hotels in Vienna:

Hotel Rathauspark Wien

Follow in the footsteps of famous personalities and stay near top attractions at the charming Hotel Rathauspark Wien, a member of Radisson Individuals. This impressive city palace dates back to 1882 and is located just a few minutes walk from the city centre in an inspiring neighbourhood close to Vienna’s Rathaus and Rathauspark.

The unmistakable Viennese charm of this mansion house is by no means limited to its facade. Experience exceptional comfort in the 117 rooms and suites, each featuring Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a flat-screen TV. Treat yourself to a traditional Austrian breakfast at the stylish restaurant or a refreshing drink in our bar. Browse its bookshop with its lovingly selected, Vienna-focused range, and relax with a book in the Platzl - a lounge decorated with a mural by the artist Laura Wolfsteiner, portraying true stars from the Grätzl (local neighbourhood).

The world-famous writer, Stefan Zweig, lived at this address from 1895 to 1907, during which time he published his volume of poetry, Silberne Saiten (Silver Strings) and his first novel, Die Liebe der Erika Ewald (The Love of Erika Ewald). He particularly valued the proximity to the famous Café Central, which has historic links to Freud and Trotsky.

For more information, great rates and reservations, please visit here.

Radisson RED Vienna

Inspired by the energy of Vienna’s second district, Leopoldstadt, Radisson RED Vienna embodies the effortless cool of the city, situated right on the Danube Canal. Take a break at our stylish and fun rooftop bar and terrace Istros – the perfect social hub overlooking the buzzing canal below. Or enjoy all-day dining at Sarāī. Unwind in rooms and suites close to the action, featuring stylish, bold design and free Wi-Fi to always stay connected. Discover Austria’s capital from the hip and young second district, Leopoldstadt. Walk along the Danube Canal and stop in at one of the many restaurants and bars for a coffee, drink, or meal with friends or family. Don’t miss the nearby Prater amusement park for an unforgettable day of thrilling fun for everyone. The historical city center is just a 15-minute walk from the hotel and boasts gems such as the incredible Austrian National Library, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Opera House, and the impressive Schönbrunn Palace. With so much to explore, stay close to the action with the Radisson RED Vienna.

For more information, news, prices and reservations, please visit here.

Ryanair’s Director of Marketing, Dara Brady, said:  "With so much choice and so little time at our disposal these days, we’ve compiled this shortlist of must-visit European city breaks to help our customers decide where their next well-deserved city break should take them."

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