The Jet2 passengers said they were told it was for “operational reasons”

UK tourists flying back from Majorca have shared how they were stuck in the airport for 20 hours due to “operational reasons.”

Passengers booked onto the Jet2 11.35am flight on July 21 from Palma Airport to Belfast were allegedly sent to board their flight as travellers would usually expect, before they were told of a delay.

At first, the airline reportedly told flyers this would be a few hours, however, shortly after, holidaymakers claimed the journey was pushed back 12 hours, with the plane estimated to take off at around midnight that day.

But, in an unexpected turn of events, passengers described how they were then informed the flight would not be taking off at all at this point.

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The airline ensured travellers were allocated a hotel room for the night, but some shared their concerns after it was alleged this process took around three hours.

Due to this, passengers claimed they had been waiting in the airport for 20 hours before they were shipped to temporary accommodation for the night.

A woman due to board the flight, who wished to remain anonymous, told BelfastLive of the “horrendous” experience: “We have always thought Jet2 were an excellent company, but the communication has just been awful.

“I have three young children, and there were a lot of other children getting on that flight. They had a few nappies, but there was no ready-made milk left for any of the babies, and they had power but couldn’t provide us with boiling water. When we went to get that, you were charged for it in the cafes.

“They sent out information to the passengers before their own staff to tell us the flight was delayed by 12 hours. The staff would give us no information, they said the window wiper was broken on the plane, and apparently the wrong replacement part was sent.

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“I was on the 24/7 helpline constantly, and they couldn’t give us any information. They kept telling us our flight was going to go at 12.20am. Between 12.30am and 1am, they told us the flight wasn’t happening.”

She explained how the hotel allocation process had worked the day after the incident, alleging: “We all had to go down and get our luggage then we stood for around three hours while they tried to get us hotels. We were getting our hotels at around 4am, after having been in the airport from about 8am the day before.

“I asked if there would be a cot in the hotel for my baby and they said there would be. I Googled the place before we left and it was adults only – they were sending me there with my three young children.

“They booked us in to a different hotel, and didn’t tell the driver we were going to this new hotel. The situation has been horrendous.

“Our flight is meant to go at 5.35pm today, and I have been on the phone with the helpline all day and nobody can guarantee it will happen.”

A spokesperson for Jet2 told the publication: “Flight LS362 from Palma to Belfast International has been delayed due to operational reasons. Despite our best efforts to get customers back to the UK yesterday, the flight had to night stop at Palma Airport and our teams have been working very hard to look after everyone including arranging hotel accommodation and refreshments.

“We have continued to communicate with customers throughout and will be flying customers back to Belfast today.

“We understand the inconvenience that this may have caused, and we would like to apologise to customers affected by this unforeseen delay.”

PATTAYA, Thailand – As Thailand charts a new course for its tourism industry with the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) recently unveiled 2026 strategy, Pattaya stands at the crossroads of anticipation and transformation. Under the theme “Value is the New Volume,” TAT’s ambitious plan signals a decisive shift from focusing on visitor numbers to prioritizing quality, sustainability, and authentic experiences — a vision that many here hope will breathe fresh life into the city’s tourism landscape.

Long known internationally as an energetic beach destination with a reputation for nightlife, Pattaya has often faced challenges balancing mass tourism with sustainable growth. Now, with TAT’s emphasis on redefining Thai tourism through integrity, safety, and cultural connection, the city’s stakeholders see an opportunity to reshape its identity and appeal.

The strategy’s core pillars — prioritizing value over volume, balancing tourism across regions and seasons, advancing creative and thematic tourism, and embedding measurable sustainability standards — resonate strongly with Pattaya’s evolving ambitions. Local entrepreneurs and officials alike recognize that Pattaya’s future lies in delivering more meaningful and diverse experiences rather than simply attracting larger crowds.

“The new focus on quality and sustainability aligns perfectly with what Pattaya needs,” said a local business owner involved in cultural and wellness initiatives. “We’ve already started to diversify, hosting more family-friendly festivals, arts events, and eco-tourism activities. Now, with TAT’s support, we hope these efforts will grow into something that truly changes how visitors see and enjoy the city.”

TAT’s strategy also highlights the importance of targeting high-potential traveler segments, including Millennials seeking immersive experiences, Gen Z driven by digital engagement, luxury tourists, and health-conscious travelers attracted to holistic wellness. For Pattaya, this means expanding beyond its traditional markets to attract visitors who value cultural depth, nature, and wellness — areas in which the city has begun to invest but can further develop with stronger national backing.

Moreover, the plan’s focus on enhanced connectivity through new travel routes by land, sea, air, and rail promises to better link Pattaya with other regions and international markets. Improved visa facilitation and partnerships with airlines are expected to open doors to high-value travelers from Europe, the Middle East, and emerging Asian markets, offering hope for more balanced and resilient tourism flows.

City officials are already aligning local initiatives with TAT’s vision, emphasizing smart tourism measures such as digital payment systems, safety enhancements, and AI-driven visitor management. Beach clean-ups, infrastructure improvements, and collaborations with creative agencies to stage international events aim to create a more welcoming and sustainable environment for both tourists and residents.

Yet, amid the optimism, some local operators express cautious realism. “We’ve heard grand plans before, but what we really need now is timely action and concrete support,” said a guesthouse operator near Jomtien beach. “If the incentives, infrastructure, and marketing efforts come quickly, Pattaya can adapt and thrive in this new era. But delays could mean missed opportunities.”
The 2026 strategy’s embrace of Thailand’s cultural soft power — focusing on Food, Film, Fashion, Festivals, and Fight (martial arts) — offers Pattaya a platform to elevate its diverse offerings, from culinary tours and international music festivals to Muay Thai events and film productions. This holistic approach aims not only to attract visitors but also to foster deeper connections and lasting impressions.

As Pattaya prepares for the upcoming tourism seasons, the mood is one of hopeful vigilance. The city is poised to move beyond its legacy as a party hotspot toward becoming a multifaceted destination that embodies the new Thai tourism ethos: sustainable, authentic, and value-driven.

With Thailand’s broader tourism landscape evolving rapidly under TAT’s bold 2026 blueprint, Pattaya’s future success hinges on the effective translation of strategy into on-the-ground realities. For a city that has weathered many ups and downs, the promise of “Value is the New Volume” offers a compelling vision — one that Pattaya is eager to help realize.

Crypto custody startup BitGo filed confidentially to go public on Tuesday, the company said.

It is not yet clear on which exchange Bitgo plans to offer its shares, or what its price range will be.

Founded in 2013, Palo Alto, California-based BitGo has raised a known $170 million in funding, per Crunchbase data. The company aims to securely store and manage cryptocurrency and other digital assets

In August 2023, BitGo raised a $100 million Series C round at a $1.75 billion valuation. It was a step up in valuation from what BitGo would have been valued at had it been acquired by digital asset investment firm Galaxy Digital in a proposed $1.2 billion acquisition that was called off in 2022.

The company went on to raise another corporate round of funding in January 2024 for an undisclosed amount, according to Crunchbase data.

Bitcoin prices soared to over $100,000 in 2024, and currently trades at nearly $119,000 with projections it could go even higher in 2025. And after many headlines about regulation in the industry, the U.S. passed what is being described as the country’s “first major national cryptocurrency legislation.” The legislation is expected to be signed into law later this week.

A thawing IPO pipeline?

After an IPO drought, we’re seeing a flurry of filings in 2025, with more potentially planned in the coming year. Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is expected to go public via an initial public offering sometime in early 2026.

San Francisco-based collaborative design platform Figma on Monday outlined the plans of its IPO, revealing it intends to raise nearly $1 billion.

But other fintech and crypto-related companies have already gone public so far in 2025.

In early June, shares of Circle closed up 168% at $83.29 in their first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, minting the stablecoin issuer with a market cap of around $16.7 billion and renewing hopes for an IPO market rebound. As of July 22, the stock had more than doubled from its first-day closing — trading at over $194 per share.

Digital bank Chime went public on June 12, and came out swinging. Chime’s shares shot up 37% in first-day trading on Nasdaq, closing at $37. As of July 22, the stock was trading at just over $33.

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Illustration: Dom Guzman