Travel with Katie Butler of Total Travel: What’s New in Travel This Week for Yorkshire Holidaymakers

Jet2 has announced yet another expansion, while not directly impacting West Yorkshire airports, are still worth noting. From March 2026 the airline will open its 14th base at London Gatwick. It will operate flights to 29 destinations including mainland Spain, the Canaries, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. Although this primarily benefits travellers in the south, it reflects Jet2’s continued growth and reinforces its position as the UK’s number one tour operator.

For those travelling to Majorca, important changes at Palma Airport are upon us. From 19 November, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is introduced for non-EU passengers, (yes that now means us Brits.). While the system officially launched across the EU in October, each country has been phasing it in gradually and Palma will be one of Spain’s first major holiday airports to fully activate the process. On arrival, British visitors will now need to provide four fingerprints and an iris scan. These biometric checks aim to strengthen border security, but they will add a couple of minutes per person at passport control, raising the possibility of queues during busy periods. Airports have been given flexibility during the rollout, and Palma may choose to suspend full checks temporarily if delays become excessive. By April next year, however, 100% of passengers are expected to be using the system.

Back in the UK, the government is considering the introduction of a nightly tourist tax on hotel stays and short-term rentals such as Airbnb in England. The proposal is expected to be outlined in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ in the budget. Under the plan, mayors in cities including London and Manchester could apply a small per-night charge for visitors, with revenue used to support local services. Similar taxes operate successfully across a number of European cities without discouraging tourism, and Treasury officials are said to have been persuaded by this evidence. Any change would need to be incorporated into the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament.

Meanwhile, TUI has issued an update following Hurricane Melissa, which caused significant damage to parts of Jamaica’s infrastructure, including hotels and roads. The operator cancelled flights and package holidays up to and including 23 November but will resume part of its programme from 24 November. Customers due to travel up to 30 November may still experience changes to their plans, and TUI is contacting affected travellers directly. Those booked on holidays involving partner airlines such as Virgin Atlantic are being advised to speak with TUI for guidance. For anyone considering Jamaica for a future trip, it’s reassuring to see recovery well underway, with many hotels either reopening or remaining unaffected.

Travel is always changing, and developments like these highlight the importance of staying informed ahead of any holiday. Whether you’re planning a quick city break, a winter sun escape or looking further ahead to next year’s adventures, our branches in Heckmondwike, Ossett and Brighouse are always here to offer advice, discuss entry requirements and help you navigate any updates that may affect your plans.