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EasyJet and easyJet HolIdays Celebrate Biggest Ever Summer!


EASYJET and easyJet holidays have celebrated its biggest ever summer with over 82,000 flights network wide during the school holidays. Over seven million UK customers


took to the skies on over 45,000 flights to and from the UK alone, including 7,900 flights to and from Northern Ireland.


The airline is operated its biggest ever summer this year, with seven additional Airbus A320 family aircraft having joined its UK- based fleet at Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and newest UK base, London Southend. More than 33 million seats were operated to and from the UK across the whole summer season, half a million more than last year. 44 new routes including flights to three brand new destinations Sal in Cape Verde, Rimini in Italy and Tbilisi in Georgia are operating for the first time this summer, with more choice to longer leisure routes like Turkey, Egypt, Cape Verde, Tunisia


QATAR Airways is set to increase frequency on the Dublin-Doha route from 14 to 17 weekly flights, commencing from December 2nd 2025. The increased frequency will offer Irish


holidaymakers


increased connectivity between Ireland to Doha, benefiting routes to Australia and beyond. With a morning arrival integrated into the upgraded schedule, this will enable seamless connections for Qatar Airways’ newly launched morning flights to Sydney and Melbourne.


and Morocco. The airline’s busiest day of the summer season across the UK was on 5 September, with nearly 2,000 flights taking off and over 300,000 customers flying. Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, the busiest day was 28 July, when 126 flights departed and arrived, with over 18,000 customers flying. The most popular summer destinations from Northern Ireland this summer were Spanish Malaga and Alicante topping the list, as well as Faro in Portugal a firm favourite, for those seeking guaranteed sun, outstanding food, culture and natural beauty.


Qatar Airways To Increase Frequency on Dublin-Doha Route


Oasis Travel Crowned Best Small Travel Company in Northern Ireland and Scotland at Prestigious UK Awards


Three’s A Charm: Emirates Add New Daily Dubai Flight to Schedule


OASIS Travel has been named Best Small Travel Company in Northern Ireland and Scotland at the Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards 2025.


The glittering ceremony took place in London, where more than 700 guests gathered to celebrate excellence across the UK travel trade. Hosted by TV favourite and dancer Ashley Banjo alongside Travel Weekly’s Editor-in-Chief Lucy Huxley, the event recognised top-performing agencies and individuals from across the country. Speaking about the win, a spokesperson


HOLIDAYMAKERS planning a break in Benidorm are being urged to take extra care when using mobility scooters, as Spanish authorities ramp up enforcement, with fines of up to


£425 for rule-breakers. Benidorm remains a favourite among UK holidaymakers, including thousands from Northern Ireland each year. But local police are


EU Travel Fee to Rise from €7 to €20 by 2026 Before the increase can


TRAVELLERS from Northern Ireland and the UK planning future holidays in Europe will soon face a higher cost for entry, as the European Commission has announced plans to increase the fee for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).


Currently set at €7, the ETIAS fee will rise to €20 per person when the system becomes fully operational – expected in late 2026. ETIAS will be a mandatory travel authorisation for all non-EU nationals who do not need a visa to enter the EU, including UK passport holders. The European Commission


says the fee increase reflects rising inflation since the original price was set in 2018, as well as additional costs tied to new technical upgrades designed to enhance border security. The new price also aligns more closely with similar programmes like the UK’s ETA and the US’s ESTA. Once launched, travellers will need to complete a short online


application before their trip, providing details such as name, date of birth, and passport number. Most applications will be processed automatically, with approvals issued within minutes. The authorisation will be valid for three years or until the travel document expires. Not everyone will have to pay the new fee. Children under 18, adults over 70, and family members of EU citizens or eligible non-EU residents will be exempt.


UK nationals are required to have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring ETIAS for a short- term stay (90 days in any 180- day period).


UK nationals who wish to stay longer must meet the entry requirements


in accordance


with national or EU migration law, such as holding a visa or residence permit.


The ETIAS system does not apply to the UK-Ireland common travel area which allows Irish and UK citizens


to freely live, travel, work, and study between Ireland and the UK.


be officially adopted, it will undergo a two-month review by the European Parliament and Council. However, if approved, the €20 charge will come into effect as soon as the ETIAS system goes live.


EMIRATES has confirmed it will operate a third daily service to Dublin from Dubai. Starting from 26 October 2025, the international airline will also increase cargo capacity to and from Dublin. The flight will depart Dubai at 02:10am and arrive in Dublin at 06:25am, local time. The return flight, EK166, will depart Dublin at 08:25am and arrive in Dubai at 20:00pm local time. The additional flight will provide Irish travellers with an early morning departure option, which complements the existing afternoon and evening departures offered by the airline’s double daily service to the country. The third daily flight will operate utilising a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft set in a three-class configuration, offering customers 8 private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and 304 spacious seats in Economy Class.


for Oasis Travel said: “We are truly honoured to receive this recognition as the Best Small Travel Company in Northern Ireland and Scotland.


“This award is a testament to the dedication of our amazing team, the unwavering support of our customers, and the strong partnerships we’ve built with


Holidaymakers Warned Over £425 Fines for Misusing Mobility Scooters


tightening regulations following a surge in complaints over improper use of mobility scooters, especially by younger tourists using them recreationally.


Jet2 Announces Major Move To Benefit Families with Toddlers


JET2.COM has further


strengthened its family-friendly offer,


by announcing that children under 2 will now travel for free. The announcement means that Jet2.com is the only UK airline to not charge a fee for children under 2 to travel to destinations across Europe, the Canaries and the Mediterranean.


This new policy applies to all new bookings made from Friday 22nd August 2025, and children must be under 2 at the time of travel for it to apply.


With children under 2 already going free when they travel with Jet2holidays, this now means that all under 2’s travel free with Jet2, whether on a package holiday with Jet2holidays or on a seat-only flight with Jet2.com. In addition,


Jet2.com has


introduced a new family-friendly change to its child and infant equipment allowance, meaning that no excess baggage will be charged for child or infant equipment being


checked into the hold. This policy is effective immediately. Alongside an extra 10kg baggage allowance for children under 2, customers can bring up to two items per child under 2 free of charge to be checked into the hold. These can include a collapsible pushchair, pram or buggy, car seat or booster seat, baby carrier, or travel cot and the 10kg weight limitation no longer applies to these items. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “As a family friendly airline and tour operator, we are always looking at how we can make the experience even better for families travelling with us. By putting our customers first and making these changes, meaning that all children under 2 now travel for free whether on a package holiday or a seat-only flight, we are making travel even more accessible for millions of families.”


suppliers over the years.” “We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has played a part in our journey, this is your award too.”


www.nitravelnews.com


September/October 2025


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