Latest News

EASTENDERS star Natalie Cassidy has already landed herself a job – just a day after it was announced she had quit the soap.

Yesterday it was revealed how the Albert Square legend is leaving Walford for good, after nearly 32 years playing Sonia Fowler.

PA:Press Association

Natalie Cassidy has quit EastEnders after 32 years playing Sonia Jackson[/caption]

BBC

Natalie already has a brand new job[/caption]

BBC

Actress Natalie, 41, told bosses of her decision to leave the hit BBC One soap last summer.

Speaking about quitting EastEnders, the actress, who has been playing Sonia since she was aged ten in 1993, said in a statement: “I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited.

“After another 11 solid years back on The Square, I have decided it’s time to move on to pastures new. EastEnders is in my bones so I will never forget where I started my career and I will continue to love the show.

“Thank you to Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary – it’s an honour. See ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.”

MOVING ON

Now, just one day after it was revealed Natalie had left EastEnders, the actress has a brand new job lined-up.

The BBC announced today she had joined the the cast of the second series of the hit comedy-drama Boarders.

Speaking about the new role of teacher Sharon Hail, Natalie said: “I loved series one of Boarders and was so thrilled to be asked to appear in series two.

“There is such talent amongst all the cast and crew and I loved playing a very eccentric teacher. Don’t miss it!”

Actor Alan Cummings also joined the cast for the new series, and you can watch both him and Natalie in season 2 which airs in February.

SONIA’S EXIT

EastEnders’ bosses are keeping tight-lipped about whether Natalie’s much-loved character Sonia Jackson will be killed off.

They have though confirmed that she will film her final scenes next month, which will tie in with the soap’s 40th anniversary

The special week, which kicks off on Monday February 17, will see a huge explosion rip through the soap’s iconic Queen Vic pub, with several much-loved characters getting caught up in the blast.

An EastEnders source told The Sun: “The 40th week was always going to be shocking, but could they really kill off Sonia Fowler?

BBC

Natalie’s character Sonia has been involved in some gritty storylines[/caption]

“Viewers have watched her grow up on screen and she’s been at the heart of some of the soap’s biggest storylines.

“It would be a proper soap shocker if she was to die during the 40th but equally it will be one that viewers will never ever forget.”

Natalie’s character Sonia is currently pregnant with killer Reiss Colwell’s baby unaware that he bumped off his ex-wife Debbie, a crime she was later charged with.

 Luckily, a jury found her not-guilty of murder after Reiss produced a video of Sonia’s sister Bianca Butcher confessing to the killing.

But with Bianca, played by actress Patsy Palmer, 52, having been imprisoned by twisted Reiss in a lock-up for months, and forced to make the recording, it’s only a matter of time before the the truth comes out.

Our source added: “There are so many twists and turns in the lead up to the 40th anniversary week. Sonia has no idea that Bianca is locked-up, and that Reiss is behind it all. But as she prepares to give birth in the coming weeks things will start to unravel.

“Bosses have pulled out all the stops to make the soap’s big 40th the most dramatic and unforgettable week in the history of EastEnders.

“And although it will be the last time we see the character of Sonia Fowler in Albert Square following Natalie’s decision to leave, everyone will have to wait and see if she makes it out alive.”

BBC

Natalie has starred as Sonia Fowler in EastEnders on and off since 1993[/caption]

BIG LOSS

Speaking about Natalie’s departure from the soap, top boss Chris Clenshaw said: “Over the last 31 years in EastEnders, Natalie has been involved in some of the show’s most iconic and explosive storylines.

“Her portrayal of Sonia has made her a firm fan favourite amongst the viewers.

“I won’t be revealing the finite details relating to her exit, but I can say that she will take a central role in the 40th anniversary storylines in a week of truly unmissable drama that will change the lives of those in Walford forever.

“I’d like to thank Natalie for her time at EastEnders, and I wish her all the best for the future.”

OTHER VENTURES

Over the last year, Natalie has spread her wings beyond Albert Square.

She’s launched her own BBC podcast with Gavin & Stacey’s Joanna Page called Off The Telly.

In 2021 she played a one-off role in hit drama Motherland.

And TV viewers are convinced that she is the celebrity hiding inside Bush in the current series of ITV’s The Masked Singer. 

BBC

EastEnder teen Sonia shocked the nation when she gave birth without realising she was pregnant[/caption]

PUTIN’s twisted soldiers have posted sickening videos of their murderous drone strikes on innocent Ukrainians online as warped war “trophies”.

Horrifying clips of several bomb drops on civilian homes, buses, and cars have been posted on Telegram during Mad Vlad’s terrorist invasion.

Telegram

A bus in Kherson, Ukraine, was hit by a Russian drone strike[/caption]

Telegram

A video uploaded by Putin’s sick troops showed how the bomb dropped through the top of the bus[/caption]

Telegram

Another shocking ‘trophy’ video showed a strike just seconds before it hit a block of flats in Kherson[/caption]

Civilians in the southern port city of Kherson have become the targets of terrifying drone hunts, according to The Times.

Videos, proudly uploaded by sick-minded Russian troops, show drone operators flying their weapons at a low height over the city.

These terrifying machines – filmed through the remote operator’s camera on the device – have not just targeted Ukrainian troops but have shockingly gone after civilians.

Public workers like nurses, waste collectors, police, and paramedics are just some of the people caught up in these attacks.

These sick strikes started on the outskirts of the port city a few months ago.

Russian troops then started to launch their attacks within the heart of the tortured city.

Ukrainian officials have warned the number of hits and victims has rapidly started to increase since the summer.

The tragic strikes have killed nearly 70 people and injured over 700 in the past few months, per CBC.

A chief at the city’s Luchansky hospital, Vitaliy Khomukha, even revealed how these murderous strikes have hit the building itself, per The Times.

Khomukha warned: “They don’t care who they target.

“I have treated hundreds of drone wounded in the past few months, all civilians. It’s getting worse.”

These horrifying videos, uploaded onto Telegram, have revealed the chilling extent of Vlad’s troops’ thirst for death.

One clip showed a bomb dropping straight through a window on the top of a bus.

Another innocent victim of these hits was a civilian whose car was bombed.

Telegram

A rubbish truck was also hit by a drone strike[/caption]

Telegram

Russian troops showed how they carefully and targeted an innocent civilian in their car[/caption]

Telegram

The bomb fell straight through the parked driver’s windshield[/caption]

The clip revealed how terrorist troops precisely threw a weapon through the car’s windshield, as the driver desperately jumped out and rolled across the ground.

Locals have dubbed this terrorist bombardment on their city a “drone safari”.

Injured local Kateryna Drobinina, 53, told The Times about the innocent civilians’ anguish.

She said: “We call it ‘drone safari’ because that is what it is.

“We are deliberately hunted. You can’t call it anything else.”

TERROR BLITZ

These recent clips have not been the only harrowing videos Russian soldiers have posted on their terror sprees.

Telegram

The released bomb can be spotted at the bottom of the screen[/caption]

Telegram

Pedestrians walking along a road were hit in this horror strike[/caption]

Getty

View of the destruction caused by heavy Russian shelling in the residential area of Zelenivka, a suburb of Kherson[/caption]

The Sun has previously reported on shocking videos showing drones hitting a civilian car in Kherson, last year.

At the time, military officials in the city explained a change in the types of drones used by Russia has meant the city’s electronic systems were not able to intercept most of them.

Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, also became victim to one of these attacks when a huge 500-kilogram bomb destroyed a residential building.

A 12-year-old boy died after the assault on 31 October, 2024, while at least 35 others were left injured.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko added that others, including a 15-year-old missing boy, could still be trapped under rubble.

AP

Putin’s soldiers have regularly posted videos of their harrowing hits on innocent Ukrainians on Telegram[/caption]

AFP

Ukrainian servicemen participating in a tactical training ahead of deployment at an undisclosed location in the Donetsk region, on 22 January[/caption]

Getty

An aerial view of houses ruined by a Russian attack, on January 23, 2025 in Kramatorsk, Ukraine[/caption]

CLEANING fanatics are rushing to bag a brand-new Zolfora scent in time for spring – insisting that they “can’t wait to try it”.

Zoflora has an army of devoted cleaning fanatics who have cupboards full of their products.

PAIGE BERESFORD

Zoflora has launched a new scent in time for Spring[/caption]

The disinfectant giant, which is loved by celebs including Mrs Hinch and Stacey Solomon, is renowned for creating items with gorgeous fragrances.

And shoppers are currently in a frenzy trying to get a hold of a new limited edition scent.

The Wild Raspberry and Peony scent has been described as a radiant, fruity fragrance that will fill homes with a cosy mix of berries and floral notes.

It has a sweet, raspberry scent with top notes of rose, which are harmoniously blended with delicate peony petals.

To add depth, it also has base notes of berries, cedar wood, and musk.

Zoflora bosses promise that the brand-new addition to their range, is the perfect blend of comfort and elegance to make your home feel fresh and vibrant for the new season.

The exciting new scent is available in Zoflora’s multipurpose disinfectant cleaner, concentrated multipurpose disinfectant spray, antibacterial multipurpose cleaning wipes, plus fragrance burst rim blocks for toilets.

But it can only be picked up in one store.

The new range is only available in store and online exclusively at B&M and shoppers have been rushing to their local branch to pick some up.

The spray can be picked up for just £2.19 while the disinfectant cleaner and the multipurpose wipes both cost £2.79 and a pack of two-rim bursts costs £2.29.

Cleaning fanatics have already taken to social media to express their excitement over the launch.

One person said: “Ooo bet this one smells amazing”.

Another added: “Ohhhh I can’t wait to try this”.

Someone else wrote: “I need this”.

And a fourth posted: “That looks so nice gonna have to purchase some”.

While a fifth chimed in: “Neeeeeeed!”

In fact, cleaning fans are so desperate to get their hands on it that it’s being resold on eBay for almost three times it’s original price.

One seller has listed two bottles of the multipurpose disinfectant cleaner for £14.99.

While another has listed a bottle of the multipurpose disinfectant spray and wipes for £14.

It comes just months after Zoflora bosses bottled up a “warm and seductive” scent for shoppers to ease them into the colder months – and it’s already being hailed as “incredible”.

The Orchid & Patchouli range is being sold exclusively at B&M stores in multipurpose cleaner, cleaning wipes and concentrated disinfectant.

And check out the 100-year-old cleaning product that made a surprise return to shelves last year – and sent shoppers into a frenzy.

Die-hard Zoflora users will remember one of their original scents Sweet Pea, which “smells like a summer garder in a bottle”.

Zoflora first created the floral fragrance over 100 years ago, and the nostalgic and comforting scent is beloved by life-long fans.

GOOGLE has unveiled a bizarre new tool that lets users offload the task of booking appointments onto an AI robot.

The feature, called Ask for Me, essentially gathers information about the pricing and availability of certain businesses – so you don’t have to.

X / Rose Yao

To access Ask for Me, you will have to enable the feature on Google Search Labs – where people can try out early-stage features[/caption]

X / Rose Yao

Simply put in the information for your booking, and the AI will make the appointment[/caption]

While it is currently only available for calls to nail salons and car repair shops, its application could soon grow to include hundreds of different businesses.

“New experiment just launched on Search Labs – you can use AI to call businesses on your behalf to find out what they charge for a service & when it’s available, like an oil change ASAP from nearby mechanics,” Rose Yao, vice president of Search Product at Google, wrote on X.

“We’re testing right now with auto shops and nail salons, to see how AI can help you connect with businesses and get things done.

“Just opt-in & search something like “oil change near me” to try it out, and let us know what you think!”

As the feature is still in testing, Yao warned that its capacity is limited and therefore users may hit a waitlist.

Ask for Me uses the skeleton of an old Google feature called Duplex, an AI-powered system that booked appointments and made reservations for users.

To access Ask for Me, you will have to enable the feature on Google Search Labs – where people can try out early-stage features.

Once enabled, you might see an “Ask for Me” prompt when looking for local nail salons or auto shops in Search.

You will have to give the AI all the information it needs to make the booking.

Google will ask a series of questions, like whether you are looking to get an oil change, what kind of car you have, and when you want an appointment.

You’ll also have to enter your email address or phone number, where you’ll receive updates about your request.

Businesses then receive a call from Google’s AI – which might be confusing at first.

“Every call begins by announcing that it’s an automated system calling from Google on behalf of a user,” Google spokesperson Craig Ewer told The Verge.

Businesses can opt out of receiving the automated calls from their Google Business Profile settings – or by asking the Google AI not to call them once they’ve received a call.

There are also call quotas in place to ensure businesses aren’t bombarded by a slew of AI calls.

AMERICAN AIRLINESA 5342 Flight collided with Black Hawk’s helicopter on Wednesday, January 29. There were 14 US skaters on the ...

Read more

LOTTO bosses have revealed the lucky store that sold a life-changing €4,642,646 ticket.

Centra on Platin Road, Drogheda in Co. Louth sold the winning ticket in Wednesday’s Lotto draw.

The town of Drogheda is no stranger to National Lottery winning ways after celebrating several high-tier wins over the years, including the Lotto jackpot win of €3,523,021 on February 14, 2024.

Shop owner William Daly said: “My wife, Bernie and I are thrilled with today’s announcement as the latest store to sell a winning Lotto Jackpot ticket and to have sold the first Lotto jackpot win of 2025.

“This is our first time ever selling a winning ticket, we are over the moon to have done so.

“I’d like to thank the amazing team in our store for their dedication and hard work, serving our loyal customers in our community here in Drogheda.

“We have a lot of regular customers, so it’s great to think that one of them may have won a life-changing prize.

“We wish the very best for the winner and may it bring them every happiness and success in the future.

“It’s a well-deserved lift for the community here in Drogheda!”

The Louth player becomes the first Lotto Jackpot winner of 2025, after purchasing their winning ticket on Saturday, January 25 from Centra, Platin Road.

The winning numbers from Wednesday night’s Lotto draw were: 5, 12, 14, 27, 34, 42 and the Bonus was 25.

National Lottery spokesperson Darragh O’Dwyer said: “It might be known as the Wee County, but celebrations are certain to be high this week in Louth with a Lotto player bagging themselves €4,642,646 in Wednesday night’s draw.

“The midweek multi-millionaire has officially taken the title of Ireland’s first Lotto Jackpot Winner of 2025.

“The National Lottery can confirm that the winner has made contact with our claims team and arrangements are being made for Ireland’s newest millionaire to collect their prize.”

Last week, another punter bagged a €500k top prize in the EuroMillions Plus draw.

A player in Louth scooped the prize in the Plus draw.

There were no winners of the EuroMillions jackpot in this evening’s December 6 draw, which could have made someone €17,000,000 richer.

The EuroMillions numbers in the main draw were 9, 37, 41, 42, 49 and 1 and 9 as lucky stars.

One Irish player matched five numbers and one Lucky Star, winning a whopping €474,164, while another bagged €110,820 after matching five numbers.

Over 29,000 players bagged prizes in Ireland in the EuroMillions and Plus games.

MONDAY last saw a unique event in Dublin, a wine tasting co-promoted by Australia, and New Zealand.

It proved to be an extraordinarily successful day, for winemakers, importers, and wine lovers who attended the consumer tasting that evening.

Getty Images - Getty

It’s a while since we have had the chance to welcome the Australians back, while New Zealand have been an annual fixture on the tasting calendar for many years.

The wines from some 86 wineries were on show, 44 from Australia and 42 came from New Zealand. Nine of them arrived seeking an Irish importer.

This week I am concentrating on the return of the Aussies and will happily report on our New Zealand friends in the coming weeks.

Shortly after I began writing about wine the national sales figures for the year 2000 were published and showed Australia topping the table with 750,000 cases. Chile was second, with 669,000 sales.

Fast forward to 2023 and fortunes have decidedly changed – with Australia on 1.22million cases and Chile shifting 2.3million. Indeed, Spain had moved into second spot with 1.26million.

But there is some good news for the Aussies in that there has been a slight upturn in sales in recent years – and now, it seems, that they will make a concerted effort to win back lost sales on these shores.

Back home they have had to destroy millions of vines in recent years because of a wine glut, while excess stock was sold off at big discounts – although we didn’t see much of it this side if the world!

The well publicised diplomatic spat between Australia and China killed that highly lucrative wine market, with the Chinese imposing prohibitive tariffs on wine imports in 2020.

And while relationships have recently warmed and the Chinese market is slowly opening up again, Australians have moved some of their focus to Europe and the US, but have found that wine consumption across the globe is declining annually.

Back around the turn of the millennium wines from the likes of Lindemans, Hardys and Jacob’s Creek was on every shop shelf. All had a strong following in Ireland, all very approachable – and very affordable.

Since then, many Australian winemakers have consolidated their businesses and began to specialise in high-end (expensive) wines.

These, for the most part, are exceptional wines but have price tags that make them prohibitive for many wine lovers.

Yet while last Monday’s tasting had many of these premium wines on show, there was a good smattering of well made and drinkable bottles in the €15 to €25 price range.

Indeed, Calabria, Qualia, Ant Moore, Elderton, Barossa Valley Estate, Wakefield and Silex all had wines in this price bracket.

The Aussies will have been delighted by Monday’s turnout and renewed enthusiasm for their wines. Maybe they are about to re-kindle their love affair with Irish consumers!

WONDERFUL WINES

I enjoyed quite a few of the wines tasted on Monday and I have chosen two in the €25 category to review today, a price point that can deliver excellent wines from Down Under.

My third choice is an Aussie Riesling, a super introduction to this noble grape.

Corryton Burge Eden Valley Riesling 2022 (ABV 12.5%)

€17.99 RRP @ good independents

Grape: Riesling

A CLASSIC, and very approachable Eden Valley Riesling, with a seriously friendly price tag.

A translucent green colour, with hints of straw, in the glass. The nose gives off distinctive hints of green apple, citrus, and mixed spice.

The bone-dry palate is quite generous and driven by flavours of lemon, lime, green apple and excellent acidity.

Enjoy with: Oysters, or ceviche.

Star rating: ****

Yalumba Samuels Collection Bush Vine Grenache 2022 (ABV 14.5%)

€25 approx @ good independents

Grape: Grenache

OUTSIDE its home of Spain, Grenache has established a strong foothold in Languedoc, France and Chile – but the most exciting varietal wines currently come from Australia.

This juicy, old vine (70 years plus) Barossa example is ruby coloured, with aromas of raspberry, strawberry, cherry and a floral note.

The palate is medium-bodied and rounded with cherry and raspberry the dominant flavours, but with an earthy and herbal dusting. Silky tannins and a light coating of oak add to the taste.

Enjoy with: Szechuan Chicken

Star rating: *****

Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley Shiraz 2021 (ABV 13.5%)

€25.99 RRP @ good independents

Grape: Shiraz

FOR almost 170 years the Tyrrells have tended vineyards in the Hunter Valley, producing, in particular, iconic Semillon and Shiraz wines.

This Shiraz, tasted on Monday, proved to be the most impressive at this price point – one you have to hit to get super quality Oz reds.

A vibrant red/purple colour, with lifted aromas of plums, cherries and white pepper, the palate has depth of flavour, featuring soft black and red fruit, spice, nice acidity, lovely minerality and savoury tannins.

Enjoy with: Your favourite steak.

Star rating: *****

THIS WEEK’S IRISH SUN BARGAIN BOTTLE

WE promise to bring Irish Sun wine lovers a taste-tested vino each weekend that won’t hurt your pocket – and is under a tenner.

The cost of glass, packaging, labelling and transport have sky-rocketed in recent years.

Finding excellent value wines is getting harder, but we have managed to find some great bottles that would grace any dinner table or be a super mid-week couch sipper.

Protocolo Tinto 2021 (ABV 14%)

Currently €9.45 @ O’Briens Wine

Grape: Tempranillo

WINE lovers’ favourite for many years, and yet still available with change from a tenner.

With fruit from vineyards in central Spain’s Castile-La Mancha region, this ruby red, full-bodied wine has notes of ripe red fruit and spice on the nose.

The palate offers a flavour profile with hints of strawberry and cherry fruit, a little twist of spice and balanced tannins.

Enjoy with: Braised oxtail.

Star rating: ****

DO you want to do more of the things which make you happy this year? 

Download this tool to help you do one new thing each week in 2025 – from trying a new sport to writing poetry. 

Getty

Getty

The digital spin the wheel game gives you an outcome of a small act in numerous categories, including health, social life and personal finances. 

Sync it up with your phone calendar and a reminder to complete your task will ensure nothing is forgotten. 

New activities include donating blood, trying pottery and meal planning. 

The motivating tool comes after a poll of 2,000 adults revealed the top 50 actions and experiences they want to encounter more often this year, with receiving good news top of the list (48 per cent). 

Others want to make time for exercise (29 per cent), hobbies (27 per cent) and being creative (17 per cent). 

Getty

Getty

Ash Schofield, CEO of giffgaff, which commissioned the research, said: “It’s clear people want to see and do more this year, and actively make time for themselves and those close to them.

“Whether it’s 10 minutes a day dedicated to a hobby, or spontaneous calls with friends or family – these little acts can make a big difference.

“Social lives seem to play a big part of the top 50 list, including dates with partners, friends and relatives and unexpected texts from loved ones.”

The research also found many want to be on the receiving end of hugs from loved ones (29 per cent), meaningful conversations (17 per cent) and thoughtful, unexpected text messages (16 per cent). 

When it comes to finances, 29 per cent are keen for opportunities to make more savings on shopping and bills, while 16 per cent would like to see more generosity from businesses like discounts and freebies. 

And the aim of doing more of these things is simply to feel good (62 per cent) and improve their mood (56 per cent). 

To make time to tick stuff off, 32 per cent plan to set small goals and targets while 31 per cent aim to book stuff in-advance, such as catch ups with friends and family. 

People would prefer to do more of the things they want to do (37 per cent) this year, than those they need to do (18 per cent).

Despite hoping to put aside an hour and 45 minutes a week to focus on such activities and goals, 43 per cent cite a lack of time as the top barrier. 

Decreased motivation (36 per cent), being stuck in a rut of a routine (34 per cent) and a lack of confidence (26 per cent) were also hurdles. 

Of those polled, via OnePoll, 46 per cent have goals for 2025 – an average of four each – typically in the areas of physical health (62 per cent), personal finance (55 per cent) and family (44 per cent). 

Similarly, 86 per cent think it’s important to make time for the things which have a positive impact on their wellbeing. 

Getty

In terms of acts of kindness from others, being made a cup of tea leaves 38 per cent in a good mood for mere minutes, but an unexpected gift or flowers results in days of positivity (31 per cent). 

And 85 per cent admitted that if someone has done something for them, they’re more likely to do the same in return. 

Ash Schofield, for giffgaff, which is offering its customers the freedom to flex the cost of their data allowance each month to suit budget, added: “The research suggests it’s the year for ‘me’, with people hoping to commit time to themselves, be it for relaxing or ticking things off their bucket list.

“Personal finance is high on the agenda, with almost a third wishing for no surprise bills this year – this is something we hope to help people avoid, with no-mid contract price rises.

“It’s great to see almost a fifth (19 per cent) will use their phone in a positive way to help them do that, by setting reminders to achieve their goals.”

LONDON Stansted will get five new flight routes with low-cost carrier Ryanair, including services to a trending travel destination.

Despite the low-cost carrier threatening to scrap routes across airports in Europe, the airline has added several new services to its summer 2025 schedule from London Stansted Airport.

Alamy

Ryanair is launching five new flight routes from London Stansted Airport[/caption]

Getty

Flights between London Stansted and Reggio Calabria will launch next month[/caption]

The airline will be operating new routes from London Stansted to Reggio Calabria in Italy, Clermont-Ferrand in France, Münster and Lübeck in Germany and Linz in Austria.

Flights to Reggio Calabria in Italy will launch on February 3, with the twice-weekly service operating every Sunday and Wednesday.

Flights take three hours, with one-way fares from just £14.99.

The lesser-visited Italian region was named a trending travel destination for 2025 by a team of experts thanks to its cheaper prices.

Flights to Clermont-Ferrand in France will launch on March 30, with the twice-weekly service operating every Sunday and Wednesday.

Sunday services will depart London Stansted at 7am before landing in France at 9.40am local time.

The flights will then depart the French airport at 10am, touching down in the UK at 10.50am.

Flight times will operate slightly later on the Wednesday service, with Sun Online Travel finding one-way fares from £20.65.

Münster services will also launch on March 30, with the route operating three times a week every Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.

Flights take just one hour and 15 minutes, with prices from £16.99 for one-way fares.

Lübeck, another city in the north of Germany, is also set to get new flights from London Stansted.

Flights will launch on April 1 and will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

One-way fares start from £16.91, with flight times differing each day.

A new route will also operate between London Stansted and Linz, a city in Upper Austria.

Flights to Linz will begin operating on February 3, with services flying between the two destinations every Monday and Friday.

Sun Online Travel have found one-way fares from £19.99.

Ryanair will add an additional Boeing 737 aircraft at London Stansted to accommodate the new routes, taking its London based fleet to 56 aircraft.

Alamy

Linz in Upper Austria will also get a new service from London Stansted[/caption]

Airline boss, Michael O’Leary, said: “While we’re excited to announce these new routes and increased frequencies from London, we could expand even more rapidly throughout the UK.

“However, Rachel Reeves’s decision to raise APD taxes undermines growth potential, particularly at regional airports.

“This short-sighted policy will have long-lasting effects on the UK’s aviation sector and regional economies.”

Last year, the airline tycoon slammed Rachel Reeves’ “idiotic” decision to bump the tax on economy seats to European hotspots by 15 per cent.

In the budget, the Chancellor announced flights across the continent will now incur £15 of duty charges – increasing it by £2.

The low-cost airline has also threatened to axe services from airports in both France and Spain.

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

And we’ve rounded up all the big new flight routes launching this year.

Ryanair launched its first-ever flights to Turkey.

Getty

London Stansted will get five new flight routes[/caption]

1 Артистка залишила своїм нащадкам 1,7 мільйона фунтів стерлінгів. Через півтора року після смерті Шинейд О’Коннор стало відомо, що її троє дітей успадкували 1,4 мільйона фунтів стерлінгів і права на її музичну спадщину. Через півтора року після смерті легендарної ірландської виконавиці Шинейд О’Коннор, яка пішла з життя в липні 2023 року, стало відомо, як було […]