Meanwhile, there are encouraging results from Marriott and Airbnb that underline consumers’ desire to get travelling again.

Here are the travel stories making national headlines on Wednesday 3 August.

Flight prices surge following BA stop-sale

Prices for some short-haul flights from Heathrow have soared following British Airways’ suspension of sales until 15 August. Seats are in such high demand that some of the only options now available are trips via Europe on rival carriers. One flight from London to Edinburgh via Brussels cost £855. (The i)

Airbnb reveals record bookings

Airbnb said it is “in the midst of our strongest peak travel season yet” and July 4 was its highest single day revenue ever. The US company expects to deliver record revenue and profits in its third quarter ending in September. The group secured 103.7 million bookings in the three months to June, a 24% jump from 2019. (The Telegraph)

Marriott earnings surpass pre-pandemic levels

The boss of Marriott has hailed consumers’ love for travel after the company posted revenues which surpassed pre-pandemic levels. The hotelier reported sales of $5.3 billion in the second quarter of 2022, up 70% on the previous year and just ahead of 2019 levels, while pre-tax profits topped $870 million. (The Standard)

Briton dies after incident at Magaluf club

A British father-of-two has died after allegedly being knelt on by police and beaten up by bouncers in Majorca. Tobias White-Sansom, 35, from Nottingham, died in hospital five days after the incident on the Magaluf Strip. (Daily Mirror)

Spain’s new AC rules could leave Brits in a sweat

British holidaymakers have been warned of new air conditioning rules in Spain that could leave them sizzling amid heat alerts. A new law means Spanish shops, offices and hospitality venues will no longer be able to set cooling systems below 27C in summer. (Daily Mirror)