Meanwhile, tragedy struck at two Caribbean hotels over the weekend – first, a suspected gas explosion at a hotel in Havana, followed by the discovery of three bodies at a Sandals resort in the Bahamas.

In other news, travel’s staffing crisis continues, with airlines cutting schedules further, struggling with catering supplies and even removing seats.

Here are the key travel headlines making national news bulletins on Monday 9 May.

Fears Putin could declare war today

Experts fear president Putin could use today’s Victory Day parade in Moscow to officially declare war on Ukraine. Experts say Putin was hoping to declare his campaign a success today but is unable to do so and may seek to escalate it instead. (Sky News)

At least 30 killed in Cuba hotel blast

A pregnant woman, a Spanish tourist and four minors are among at least 30 killed in a blast at the Hotel Saratoga in Old Havana following a suspected gas explosion. The 96-room hotel had been preparing to reopen to guests after being closed for two years before the disaster on Friday. Thirteen hotel workers are also missing. (Metro)

Three US tourists die at Sandals resort

Two men and a woman have died at Sandals Emerald Bay resort in the Bahamas. Investigations, Sky News reports, are centring on a faulty air conditioning system leaking toxins, with other guests having suffered nausea and vomiting the day before the deaths, it is reported. Sandals Resorts has confirmed the deaths, adding it would support the investigation. (Sky News)

British Airways makes more cuts to schedules

British Airways has been forced to cut flight schedules further as it struggles to hire staff after culling nearly 10,000 jobs. The airline is cutting 10% of flight schedules or 8,000 round trips between March and October, three-quarters of them short-haul. (Financial Times)

Staff crisis forces easyJet to remove seats

EasyJet is to remove a row of seats from many aircraft, allowing it to reduce the number of cabin crew on each flight. Taking out six seats on Airbus A319s reduces passenger capacity to 150, allowing flights with three crew members instead of four – one is needed for each 50 passengers. (The Telegraph)

Tui Airways cuts onboard catering due to supply issues

Tui passengers flying from 15 UK airports will be without hot and cold meals or sandwiches. Staff shortages at the airline’s catering supplier mean only a limited offering of snacks and drinks on short and mid-haul flights over the coming days. (Daily Mirror)

Rangers fans spend £1,000 on flights to final

Rangers supporters are spending £949 each on a private charter flight to watch the club take part in its first European final in 14 years in Seville. Travelbank Holidays has chartered the flight, leaving Glasgow at 6am on the day of the final on 18 May, with over half of seats sold. (The Times)