Low-cost airline Ryanair will return to Belfast City Airport this summer after an absence of 11 years. It has launched eight routes for summer 2021 connecting Belfast to popular summer destinations in Spain, Portugal and Italy. Travellers can book flights to Malaga, Mallorca, Faro, Alicante, Barcelona, Ibiza, Milan, Bergamo and Valencia. The airline said: “The UK’s highly successful rollout of …

Officers from the Guardia Civil traffic department on the island of Formentera were left stunned at the weekend when they called upon a tow truck to assist a stranded passenger car. The disabled vehicle had suffered an engine problem at Read More ...

A 60 year old tourist, said to be of foreign nationality, has drowned on the beach at playa Es Marques on Sunday. The alarm was raised at 13:15 in the Ses Salines area. Emergency technicians were sent to the scene but could do nothing to save the life of the victim.

JET2 'SURPRISED' BY SHOCK BLACKPOOL AIRPORT NEWS Ex-pats face uncertainty

THOUSANDS of ex-pats could be faced to find alternative flights to Spain from Blackpool following the shock news that the international Airport could shut this month (October). “On August 28 2014, we announced our intention to find a buyer for the airport operating company," said owners Balfour Beatty. "The airport operations have been making a loss - for a number of years

- and we are currently exploring a number of options in an attempt to secure the future of the airport," said Balfour Beatty. “We regretfully confirm that if no agreement can be reached before October 7 2014, which ensures the viability of its operations, then it is likely that the airport operations will close," said Balfour Beatty. "In this event, we expect that the last commercial flights will take place on Wednesday October 15 2014," said Balfour Beatty.

Ex-pats who board flights to Spain from Blackpool have been left reeling with the news. Balfour Beatty are looking for a buyer to take over the operating interests in the terminal, purchased for £14m in 2008.

“We apologise for the uncertainty this will cause over the coming weeks and we recommend that any affected passengers contact their airline to confirm travel arrangements,” added Balfour Beatty Three airlines fly out of the terminal at Blackpool, and worried passengers who may be currently in Spain, or those set to fly from Blackpool can contact them.

Details can be obtained from: Jet2.com (0333 300 0042), Stobart Air (0871 718 5000) and Citywing (0871 200 0440). In 2007 it went under new management with MAR Properties Ltd agreeing terms to take over full control of Blackpool Airport. In May 2008 Balfour Beatty purchased MAR Property's 95% stake in the airport, with the remaining 5% stake held by Blackpool Borough Council. Passenger numbers peaked in 2007, with over 550,000 passing through the airport, falling to 235,238 in 2012; increasing by 11.6% to 262,630 in

2013 - Blackpool being the 32nd busiest airport in the UK. Since 2011 the airport has undergone changes on the airfield runways. In 2012 Blackpool launched a twice-weekly service to Albert - Picardie Airport, with Danish Air Transport. However, the flights were cancelled before the route was officially opened. In 2012, Jet2.com announced flights from Blackpool to Dalaman, Ibiza and Lanzarote, from 2013.

Jersey was replaced by Ibiza for the 2013 season. Ryanair discontinued their services from Blackpool in January 2009. And in 2013 it was announced that Jet2 would be cancelling their Belfast flight from Blackpool, because of continuous falling passenger figures.

Citywing became the only airline operating a daily flight to Belfast, via the Isle of Man. In 2013 passenger figures rose with 262,630 passengers using the facility. In 2014 Jet2 announced a new Spanish destination from Blackpool Airport to Reus, in eastern Spain, and also re-added Menorca to Blackpool flight schedules. In August 2014, Balfour Beatty announced that it was putting Blackpool Airport up for sale, six years after the company bought a 95% stake in the airport for £14m.

Blackpool airport flight destinations include Belfast, Dublin; Channel Islands; Jersey; Isle of Man; Portugal, Algarve; Spain, Murcia, Alicante-Elche; Turkey, Dalaman. Blackpool International Airport is based on the Fylde coast of Lancashire, at the former Squires Gate Airport site.

Aviation began in 1909 at Blackpool Airport - one of the first aviation sites in the UK, owned and operated by City Hopper Airports Limited. Executive flights, helicopter operations serving offshore oil and gas facilities in the Irish Sea, and the North West Air Ambulance service operate from Blackpool Airport, along with companies offering flying lessons and training flights.

A spokesperson from Jet2 said: "The announcement has come as a surprise to us. It is our intention to continue operating flights as normal from Blackpool Airport. "Should the airport make the decision to close, contingency plans will be in place and we will do everything we can to support both our loyal Jet2.com and Jet2holidays staff and customers.”

WHEN it comes to being a 'Diamond Geezer' Villamartin based Metal detectorist Alan Thomas is just that - in his quest to find lost treasures!

"The biggest find to date was an 18ct gold ring encrusted with a six diamonds set - it was valued at £3,000," Alan told me. It's not often I do interviews in water - but I caught up with Alan - while trawling the sea at Mar Menor, in Lo Pagan, San Pedro del Pinatar, with his underwater metal detector.

"The £3,000 gold ring I found while detecting in Ibiza was traced back to its rightful owner - he identified it, via an inscription - and I received £500 reward," said Alan. Metal Detecting in Spain is not allowed - unless an import license for the detector has been issued.

And areas differ, as to what times detecting can take place. The use of metal detectors could involve considerations of the Law and Regulations, governing artistic or archaeological finds, involving National Heritage and treasure trove. And if anything is found you have to comply with the complex procedures in Spain. Any finds will not be allowed to leave Spain - until consent is given.

Anything that is found of National artistic Heritage, or over 100 years old, it is unlikely that you would be granted an export permit. Also The Royal Decree of November 1987, outlining nuclear energy and radio-activity, states rules and safeguards against radiation.

The Order in March 1975 set out the homologation rules for radio-active apparatus. And certain metal detectors may not comply with these rules.

The Naval Authorities have also complained in the past following the use of metal detectors - which have been known to interfere with electronic communications.

Cornish man Alan found 'booty' in Lo Pagan - alas not of Spanish Heritage importance: "Look at that," he said, pointing to a 50 cents Spanish coin, along with a cache of metal bottle tops!

QUICKER BY BUS

Despite the high demand RENFE has stopped the direct train service between Alicante and Sevilla. The service, which they introduced at the end of June was said to be ‘experimental' with an end date of August 31. However the company did say that if there was demand the service would continue. With the cessation of the route the only option when traveling to Andalucía will be for passengers to change trains in Madrid.

BODY IDENTIFIED

Police on the island of Majorca have said that a dead woman found floating dead in the sea 6 weeks ago was a French tourist and they have refused to rule out murder or suicide as possible causes of her death. Although they are aware of her identity they have not yet released her name. The woman was said to be between 20 and 30 years of age and unaccompanied during her time on the island.

ELECTRIC SHOCK

An 18 year old man was electrocuted in Mallorca at the weekend when he answered the call of nature at the base of a street light whilst leaning against the lamp post, suffering a fatal electric shock as a result. Ambulance staff and police reached the scene within minutes of the accident but despite every effort, they were unable to save the young man's life. He was said to have been be out partying and enjoying the annual summer fiestas in Bunyola.

ROAD DEATHS

Good news for road users as the number of deaths recorded on Spain's roads during the holiday months of July and August fell by 4%. There were a total of 223 fatalities during the period, 10 deaths less than the same period of 2013. However the data was said to be provisional and only applying to Spain's 'interurban' roads.

JOBLESS UP

Jobless figures went up again in August with the unemployment services registering 8,070 new jobless claims, to reach a total of 4,427,930 people who are out of work. August also saw 97,582 fewer contributors to the Social Security system, mostly explained by seasonal factors, in that many temporary education and health contracts came to an end last month.

PLAY THE GAME

Telefónica chairman César Alierta and Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao said at the UIMP summer university course in Santander, that the European Union should treat Google, Apple and Facebook in the same way they treat telecom companies. “How can you have an entrepreneurial spirit in Europe if you have to deal with 27 sets of regulations?” said Vittorio Colao. “In the US you have 300 million consumers and just one set of rules. It's not fair that Facebook or Whatsapp, who have a billion users, don't have to follow the same rules we do.”

ARM RIPPED OFF

A 28 year old man lost his arm last week as he drove with it hanging out of the window. Emergency services said that he caught it on some iron bars along the side of the Ibiza town-San Antonio road when it was hanging out of his car window, and it ripped off from the elbow as he was unable to brake in time. A Guardia Civil medical helicopter found the arm on the side of the road and flew it to the Can Misses Hospital in the hope that it could be sewn back on.

SHOWING PROMISE

The Gibraltar Liberal government has celebrated 1,000 days in office. In that time the government has fulfilled over 300 of its 2011 manifesto promises. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: “It has been a positive and constructive 1,000 days. The government has moved in a fast and responsible manner in order to give effect to what is promised.

CASA TOM COMMUNITY CHOIR

From 8 September 2014, Casa Tom Community Choir meets every Monday at 2.00pm for 2.30pm. It is a mixed choir and all levels are welcome. No auditions, no solos. Make new friends and have a good time. Location: Casa Tom, Avenida JACA 31, San Luis, Torrevieja. Phone or email Terry for details. Phone: 647-189-135. Email: casatomsanluis@gmail.com.

AGE CONCERN

It is with regret that, unfortunately, due to the shortage of Volunteers, Age Concern has had to close their Information Office at the Playa Flamenca Town Hall. Anyone wishing to contact Age Concern can still use the Playa Flamenca published telephone number of 697176154 or contact the Day Centre in La Siesta on 966786887, we are still there to help.

ROYAL SPLIT

There is increasing speculation that the marriage of the former King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia are about to announce their divorce. It is no secret that the pair have led virtually separate lives for many years and late last week the Italian newspaper La Repubblica claimed that an official statement has been released by the Royal Household, claiming that a Royal separation “is imminent”.

OPERATIONAL CORVERA?

Murcia's Regional Minister of Development, Manuel Campos, has said in an interview on Spanish Radio that "Corvera International Airport could open as early as April 2015". This is the same Minister who just last month said that the airport would be operational by March 2015. In the same interview, however, he was unable to say when AENA will be fully compensated for the 75 Million Euro they have invested in San Javier Airport, a payment which needs to be made before they will agree to close the older and much smaller airport.

CAUGHT RED HANDED

Local police arrested three men on Monday evening after surprising them while they were robbing a warehouse in La Matanza, Orihuela. The men, aged 16, 17 and 51 entered the building through a broken window. When arrested they were in possession of a large quantity of scrap metal, aluminium bars and copper wire.

BRAIN DRAIN

Eurostat, the official statistics agency of the European Union, has said there are an increasing number of University Graduates who are choosing to leave Spain and seek employment overseas. The reports says that he UK is the most popular destination for applicants (55%), followed by Italy (10%) and Germany (10%), with Teaching, Nursing and Law leading the brain-drain exodus.

COSTLY LIBRARIES

A controversial new library tax is set to be introduced in Spain with libraries ordered to pay €0.05 for every registered user that checks out books at least once a year, and a further €0.04 to authors when their books are borrowed. Each library has been told that it is responsible for reporting its own records to the tax office. A trial of a similar scheme was introduced by the EU in 2007, which collected just €127 across the whole of Spain.

BARE FACED GERMANS

According to Expedia's annual ‘Flip Flop report', Germans continue to dominate Spain's nudist resorts. The report says that, for the third consecutive year, when it comes to stripping off, Germans were the most likely to sunbathe fully nude. The report also says that nearly half of Spanish women have gone topless at the beach with some 4.1 out of 10 female Spaniards having no problem stripping off at least their bikini tops.

DEADLY SIESTA

A man in the Valencian town of Benicarló has shot dead his neighbour during an argument over a dog and its barking. The victim, aged 64, was spending his summer holidays in the town but was killed when the neighbor said that he was unable to take an afternoon nap because of the noisy dog.

SLIP OF THE TONGUE

Carlos Olías de Lima, a stadium announcer working at the Basketball World Cup in Bilbao, has lost his job after making a sexist remark over the PA system. The announcement was made during a performance by a group of cheerleaders on Saturday when he was heard to say “One should be so lucky as to be able to spend a night with one of them...” A few days later Olías de Lima, who has been the announcer for Bilbao Basketball club for the last 12 years, was fired for his remarks.

ROAD DEATHS

Good news for road users as the number of deaths recorded on Spain's roads during the holiday months of July and August fell by 4%. There were a total of 223 fatalities during the period, 10 deaths less than the same period of 2013. However the data was said to be provisional and only applying to Spain's 'interurban' roads.

JOBLESS UP

Jobless figures went up again in August with the unemployment services registering 8,070 new jobless claims, to reach a total of 4,427,930 people who are out of work. August also saw 97,582 fewer contributors to the Social Security system, mostly explained by seasonal factors, in that many temporary education and health contracts came to an end last month.

PLAY THE GAME

Telefónica chairman César Alierta and Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao said at the UIMP summer university course in Santander, that the European Union should treat Google, Apple and Facebook in the same way they treat telecom companies. “How can you have an entrepreneurial spirit in Europe if you have to deal with 27 sets of regulations?” said Vittorio Colao. “In the US you have 300 million consumers and just one set of rules. It's not fair that Facebook or Whatsapp, who have a billion users, don't have to follow the same rules we do.”

ARM RIPPED OFF

A 28 year old man lost his arm last week as he drove with it hanging out of the window. Emergency services said that he caught it on some iron bars along the side of the Ibiza town-San Antonio road when it was hanging out of his car window, and it ripped off from the elbow as he was unable to brake in time. A Guardia Civil medical helicopter found the arm on the side of the road and flew it to the Can Misses Hospital in the hope that it could be sewn back on.

With an anticipated audience of 15,000 people the first year of 2012, 20,000 people in 2013 and 10,000 people in 2014, the reality being 8,000 partygoers visiting this year, the organisers of the Electromar music festival in Torrevieja have already ann...

In 2013 the Spanish over 40's cricket team were invited to travel to Copenhagen and play in a T20 (20 over) tournament alongside teams from Denmark, Holland and Great Britain who were participating in their 42nd annual ‘Triangular Tournament'. ...

Make sure they have adequate travel insurance if you don't want to risk hefty medical bills Travelling abroad uninsured can cost thousands if a trip goes wrong. Yet according to new research issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the ...

The mayor of Valencia, Rita Barbera, said that whilst she will oppose any the exploration for oil just off the Valencian coast she said that "there is no reason to refuse the activity providing it is carried out in the area between the Gulf of Valencia and the Balearic Islands.

Barbera gave her reply when she was asked about the presence of the boat Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior in the port of Valencia and their protest against the start of oil exploration in the Mediterranean.

The mayor said that during the Socialist government of Zapatero she met with a company which was seeking permission to prospect in four or five sites of the Mediterranean, one of them just "three or four miles from the Beach of El Saler”.

At that time permission was not granted because ministers felt that it would cause a serious deterioration in the stability of the seabed because one of the forms of extraction would involve ‘fracking'.

In the end the company withdrew it's application as they understood the effect that their drilling might cause on the much needed tourist industry, she said.

"But now” the mayor said, “more toward the Gulf of Valencia and the Balearic Islands - I think there is no reason to refuse the requests so that we might confirm one way or the other if there is another kind of wealth to be had locally. However if there was any threat to our shores, I would still oppose it now as I did then, "she added.

Meanwhile in the Port of Valencia Greenpeace has launched their campaign against oil exploration in the Mediterranean. According to informed sources, the crew of the Greenpeace flagship has warned of the dangers posed by oil projects which are to be carried out in waters off the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Alboran Sea and the Gulf of Valencia.

Until 15 June, The Rainbow Warrior will call at the ports of Valencia, Ibiza and Mallorca to publicise the fact that oil "is not necessary to ensure the world's power supply and that a one hundred percent sustainable and renewable source is already available."

Greenpeace volunteers will also conduct an information campaign on the state of the oceans and their fish stocks, as well as measures to be taken to protect Marine life.