UK Summer Holidays: Expect Flight Delays to Italy, Portugal & Spain

British holidaymakers are booking their summer holidays but they may be in for a bumpy flight.

Travellers have been warned they could face lengthy delays to flights this summer as France introduces a new air traffic control system. This is going to mean that many flights may have to use alternative routes until the new French system is up and running and that could lead to flight delays.

Tourists going to Spain, Portugal and Italy could be massively inconvenienced as planes are diverted to avoid French airspace.

The new air traffic control system is being installed in Reims, northern France. Diversions will be in place for several months with a “large proportion of the traffic shifted to German airspace”.

Reports state it could spark delays across the continent, impacting flights from the UK to Spain, Portugal and Italy. Dirk Mahns, of German air navigation service provider DFS, issued the warning, claiming delays are likely to be inevitable.

“Our aim is to keep these delays to a minimum. We are in close contact with our European partners in this endeavour. No country can deal with the current traffic situation on its own; it can only be done together.”
Dirk Mahns

Analysts agree holiday flights could be affected but said there was no risk to safety.

Essential Travel Checklist To The EU Post-Brexit

Due to Brexit, British nationals are no longer EU citizens, meaning there are new rules in place for crossing the border between the UK and the EU.

British passport holders have to ensure their document is valid for at least three more months before travelling to the EU, and the passport must be issued in the last ten years.

British passport holders visiting the EU are no longer entitled to use automatic e-gates on crossing EU external borders and queue at the ‘all passport’ lanes.

After Brexit, British nationals can stay in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland without a visa for 90 days in a 180-day period. For any stay longer than 90 days, UK nationals have to apply for the appropriate visa and residence permit.

Other things to take note of are:

Driver's licence if you are planning to drive to your destination
Don't forget to switch your “GB” sticker with “UK”
Animal Health Certificate for pet lovers who will bring their pets on their holidays
Phone roaming charges
Bank charges for ATM withdrawal or online transaction

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