Once again, the Brits have been screwed by the French! The 6 day French air traffic controllers strike, which started yesterday is causing untold misery to millions - not only for the holiday makers but also the travel industry in general. Airports across the UK, as well as here in Alicante resemble a warzone, with passengers lying wherever they can find a space. It is worse for those already on the plane - yesterday some passengers were stranded for 3 hours on the tarmac, not an enviable situation for families with children. Flights are being delayed and cancelled with passengers left in the dark thanks to the selfish actions of so few - merci beaucoup!

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Many that book their holidays to Benidorm come on a package - with flight, transfers and hotel all included for peace of mind, but some go DIY, booking each step separately to allow for total flexibility. Flights and accommodation are fairly simple, but many then ponder on whether to hire a car or take a transfer bus/taxi to the resort. There are many factors to consider – once here will you actually use it, or will it remain parked up for the duration, costing money. If hotels offer parking it very rarely comes free and the blue pay & display zones in the resort have been extended. August is the busiest month of the year, as many Spanish drive here from Madrid, leaving available parking spaces few and far between – so think carefully.

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Many holidaymakers, especially those only coming to Benidorm for a long weekend, opt for hand luggage only for speed of disembarkation on arrival. But with limited space in the overhead lockers, tempers are often raised when travelers find no room left. A standard aircraft has space for approximately 90 pieces of hand luggage of the specified size, although no doubt everyone has witnessed passengers with far bigger coming onboard. The subsequent delays in trying to find space often results in time slots being lost and so departures delayed. Ryanair, a favourite for many traveling here to Benidorm via Alicante airport have just announced a new policy, which will come into effect from November 1. Those booked to come over for the Benidorm fiestas and British Fancy Dress Day on Thursday 16 November take note.

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Would you book a holiday and risk flying on an unknown uninsured aircraft? The answer is obviously no – so WHY do so many people risk their and their families lives to save possibly €20 max on using an illegal, uninsured ‘taxi’ to take them to or from the airport? On Monday one such driver was apprehended by Guardia Civil traffico at Alicante-Elche airport for doing just that resulting in his people carrier being impounded and a fine issued for €2,000. On inspecting his documentation – taxed and ITV’d as is required by law, all was in order except for the fact that he was not insured or registered to transport passengers.

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AENA – the Spanish Airport Authority is to enforce a price cap on bottled water being sold at all Spanish airports, but this does not include bars and restaurants. Retail outlets will be obliged to offer 33cl bottles for 1 euro and vending machines will have to stock 50cl bottles at the same price. With Ryanair charging €3 for a 50ml bottle of still or sparking water and Easyjet slightly cheaper with the option of paying either £2 or €2.50, will onboard sales tumble?

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With the holiday season in full swing, the contentious issue of luggage looms like a dark cloud hovering overhead. Due to extortionate hold baggage charges many try and travel with hand luggage only, but are pushed to the limit with the differing allowances between airlines. Life would be so much simpler if they ALL had the same size and weight restrictions, but alas no. But with limited overhead space something has to give and recently both British Airways and Easyjet - a favourite for many traveling to Benidorm, have announced changes to their policies.

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