Travel

Rising Jet Fuel Costs Revive Interest in Travelling to Spain Without Flying

Published

4 months ago

May 14, 2026

Escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are pushing up jet fuel prices worldwide and forcing travellers to reconsider how they reach popular destinations such as Spain, as airlines face mounting pressure from higher operating costs.

The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy corridor, handles around 40 per cent of the fuel used by commercial aircraft worldwide. Continued disruption in the region has sharply increased the price of aviation fuel, creating fresh uncertainty for airlines ahead of the busy summer travel season.

While major carriers are attempting to reassure passengers, concerns are growing across the aviation sector about how long airlines can absorb the rising costs.

Iberia said this week that it plans to maintain its summer flight schedule and avoid introducing additional fuel surcharges despite the worsening energy situation. The airline’s president, Marco Sansavini, said the company’s financial restructuring over recent years had helped it withstand the shock better than some competitors.

However, he acknowledged that the impact on the wider aviation industry could be long-lasting. The parent group IAG expects its fuel bill to rise from €7 billion to €9 billion by 2026, reflecting the sustained pressure on energy markets.

As ticket prices climb, many travellers are again considering alternatives to flying, particularly within Europe.

Rail travel remains one of the main options, especially for passengers travelling from neighbouring countries. Spain’s high-speed rail network has improved its international connections in recent years, including services linking Barcelona with Paris and routes operated between Madrid and Lyon.

Yet Spain still faces major rail connectivity challenges. Much of the country’s railway system uses a different track gauge from the rest of Europe, limiting seamless international travel. Direct rail connections from the United Kingdom to Spain do not currently exist, and journeys from northern Europe often require multiple transfers and lengthy travel times.

Ferry travel is also attracting renewed attention. Routes linking southern England with northern Spanish ports such as Santander and Bilbao continue to operate, offering crossings lasting between 24 and 35 hours. Operators including Brittany Ferries have seen interest from travellers seeking alternatives to increasingly expensive flights.

Long-distance bus services are another option for budget-conscious travellers. Companies such as FlixBus operate routes connecting Spain with major European cities including Amsterdam, Milan and Paris, although journeys can last up to 20 hours.

Electric vehicles are also becoming a more practical alternative as charging infrastructure improves across Europe. Travellers driving from countries such as Germany, Belgium or France can increasingly reach Spain using major charging corridors, though infrastructure gaps remain in some inland regions.

Analysts say the situation highlights Spain’s heavy dependence on air travel. Tourism remains a cornerstone of the Spanish economy, while destinations such as the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands rely almost entirely on aviation links.

Industry experts warn that if major airlines reduce services or significantly increase fares because of fuel costs, Spain could face a direct impact on visitor numbers during the peak travel season.

Travel

Europe Records Busiest-Ever Summer for Air Travel Despite Middle East War

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2026

Web Reporter

European skies recorded their busiest summer on record in 2026, with airlines operating more flights during the peak July and August holiday period despite disruption linked to the Middle East war.

Data from Eurocontrol, Europe’s aviation safety and air traffic management organisation, showed that the continent handled an average of 35,959 flights per day during the two-month period. That was 2.4% higher than the same period in 2025.

The busiest day came on Friday, July 10, when 37,640 flights were recorded across Europe, marking a new daily traffic record.

Despite the increase in air traffic and disruption caused by the conflict, punctuality also improved. Eurocontrol said 72.6% of flights arrived on time, an increase of 1.2 percentage points compared with 2025.

France continued to account for the largest share of delays linked to air traffic control management problems, representing 32% of all such delays across Europe.

Eurocontrol said the US-Iran war had influenced travel patterns during the 2026 tourist season. The conflict also encouraged some Europeans to choose holiday destinations within the continent, as travellers looked for locations perceived to be closer and safer amid wider regional uncertainty.

Southern and southeastern European countries benefited from the change in travel patterns. Eurocontrol reported lower traffic in Bulgaria, Hungary and Türkiye, while Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia recorded significant increases.

The report also pointed to continued growth in southwestern Europe, highlighting a shift in demand toward destinations that remained accessible despite geopolitical tensions.

Greece experienced particularly strong demand, with record passenger numbers at its airports placing considerable pressure on the country’s air traffic control system during the busiest part of the summer season.

Fourteen countries recorded their highest-ever daily traffic for arrivals and departures during the summer. They included Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain and Türkiye.

Airlines also experienced exceptionally high levels of activity. Several carriers and airline groups reported record traffic during the period, including Aegean, Air Serbia, easyJet, Jet2.com, Pegasus, Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair, Sky Express, SunExpress, Turkish Airlines and Wizz Air.

The figures indicate that Europe’s aviation sector remained resilient despite geopolitical disruption and changing tourist preferences. While the conflict affected traffic patterns in parts of eastern and southeastern Europe, demand for flights to other European destinations helped push overall summer traffic to unprecedented levels.

Travel

Wizz Air Named Europe’s Cheapest Airline as British Airways Tops Cost Ranking

Published

4 weeks ago

August 20, 2026

Web Reporter

Wizz Air has been ranked the least expensive airline in Europe, while British Airways was identified as the costliest major national carrier, according to research comparing passenger revenue generated across 23 European airlines.

The analysis by flight and baggage compensation company AirAdvisor used revenue per available seat kilometre, or RASK, to compare how much airlines earn from passengers for each kilometre flown per available seat.

RASK provides an indication of how much travellers pay relative to distance and available capacity. The measure also reflects additional passenger charges, including fees for baggage and seat selection, rather than relying only on advertised ticket prices.

AirAdvisor said smaller airlines often have higher costs because they operate fewer routes, smaller fleets and services to remote or lower-demand destinations. With fewer seats available and less competition on some routes, fares can be higher.

However, the company said the pattern does not apply universally and travellers should compare prices for individual routes before booking.

The research also found that airline costs generally fell between 2024 and 2025. Among the 14 carriers for which AirAdvisor had year-on-year RASK figures, only five recorded increases, while nine saw their RASK decline.

Norway’s Widerøe topped the overall cost ranking with a RASK of €0.32. The regional airline operates many routes connecting smaller Norwegian airports with larger centres and also serves destinations including Aberdeen, Hamburg and London Southend.

Among major airlines, British Airways ranked as Europe’s most expensive national carrier, with a 2025 RASK of €0.0888. Its figure increased by €0.0038 from the previous year.

Air France and Austrian Airlines shared the next position among the most expensive major carriers, both recording a RASK of €0.0850.

At the other end of the ranking, Hungary-based Wizz Air had the lowest RASK at €0.0433, making it the least expensive airline in AirAdvisor’s comparison.

The company estimated that choosing Wizz Air instead of Air France could save travellers up to €50 on an average European flight distance, although actual savings depend on the route and additional fees.

easyJet ranked second among the least expensive airlines, with its RASK falling from €0.0770 in 2024 to €0.0521 in 2025.

Ryanair took third place, with RASK declining from €0.0843 to €0.0556 over the same period.

Among the 11 major national airlines included in the study, Finnair was ranked the least expensive.

The findings suggest that airline pricing can vary significantly even among national carriers, while the cost differences between airlines become more noticeable when viewed across typical travel distances.

AirAdvisor advised passengers to use such comparisons as a guide rather than a guarantee of the final fare, as route-specific pricing, luggage charges, seat fees and other extras can significantly affect the total cost of a journey.

Travel

Mont Blanc Hiking Route Faces Calls for Visitor Limits as Crowds Grow

Published

1 month ago

August 15, 2026

Web Reporter

One of Europe’s most popular long-distance hiking routes is facing new pressure to restrict visitor numbers as growing crowds create problems for local communities, mountain guides and the environment.

The Tour du Mont-Blanc is a 170-kilometre circuit passing through France, Italy and Switzerland. Around 80,000 people complete the route each year, with some sections becoming increasingly crowded during the peak hiking season.

On busy parts of the trail, groups can find themselves walking almost continuously behind one another, leaving little space between hikers. Local residents have also raised concerns about visitors failing to respect the natural environment.

Jean-Marc Peillex, mayor of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in the French Alps, said the situation had become difficult to manage.

“Today we’re moving along in single file. People can only see the backsides of those in front of them. That’s hardly ideal,” he told Swiss public broadcaster SRF.

Peillex wants access to the French section of the route restricted from next spring, with checks and penalties used to enforce the system.

Under the proposed arrangements, hikers planning to complete the Tour du Mont-Blanc would need to reserve accommodation in a mountain hut or an authorised bivouac area. These designated outdoor camping zones generally offer limited facilities compared with huts.

Peillex said hikers unable to secure a place should consider delaying their trip until the following year.

Although only a small section of the route passes through Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, other French municipalities along the trail are working together on the proposed regulations. Their goal is to introduce the new system next spring.

Switzerland has not announced similar restrictions, although officials there also acknowledge growing pressure from tourism.

Joachim Rausis, mayor of Orsières in Switzerland’s Valais canton, said there were warning signs and that better coordination was needed between France, Italy and Switzerland.

The rising number of visitors is also creating difficulties for mountain guides. Hotels and mountain huts often need to be booked a year ahead, making planning difficult for self-employed guides whose clients may not arrange trips so far in advance.

The debate reflects a wider challenge facing Alpine tourism: finding a balance between protecting fragile mountain environments, supporting local communities and maintaining public access to the mountains.

Reservation systems are already used on some routes leading toward the Mont Blanc summit. Overnight stays at the Nid d’Aigle, Tête Rousse and Goûter huts require advance bookings, with hikers’ names recorded and booking confirmations subject to checks.

The Goûter and Tête Rousse huts had been operating during the 2026 season but were temporarily closed on August 11 because of rockfall risks.

Officials now face the task of deciding whether similar controls should be extended to the wider Tour du Mont-Blanc as visitor numbers continue to rise.