Flights
Ryanair announces new route from Luton to Biarritz
Ryanair has announced a new route from London Luton to Biarritz in the South of France. The route will operate three times weekly commencing 4 November 2008.
Ryanair announces schedule reductions at Dublin Airport
Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline, today (July 15) announced substantial capacity reductions at its Dublin base for the coming winter schedule (2008-9). Compared to last winter, when Ryanair operated 22 aircraft and over 1,350 weekly flights, Ryanair’s schedule at Dublin this winter will be reduced to 18 based aircraft and less than 1,200 weekly flights.
Pegasus Airlines set to fly five-times weekly to Istanbul
Turkey’s fastest growing airline, Pegasus Airlines, has announced the launch of new flights on its London-Stansted to Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen route. Effective 1 September 2008, Pegasus Airlines will initially add one additional flight (Monday) to its current thrice-weekly schedule (Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday). From 1 October 2008, a fifth-weekly flight (Friday) will be added on the same route. These flights will be available to buy online at flypgs.com/en as of today.
Montserrat renames its airport
The government of Montserrat has announced the island’s airport is to be re-named, three years to the day since it first opened for business. Formerly known as Gerald’s Airport, the facility will be renamed the John A. Osborne Airport, in honour of one of the island’s most illustrious political figures. The official re-naming ceremony is scheduled to take place on 11th July 2008.
Check-in faster with VLM
Long check-in queues become a thing of the past; VLM Airlines has added yet another convenient way of checking in at London City airport. Customers now need to check-in at one of the 12 new CUSS (Common Use Self Service) machines. This service allows you to check-in faster and to pass easier through the airport. The kiosks are permanently hosted, so assistance is available when needed. The self-service check-in machines are located in the centre of the terminal concourse. CUSS is also available in Amsterdam and Manchester.
1 million passengers carried this year by airBaltic
The number of passengers carried by Latvian airline airBaltic in 2008 reached one million this June. For the first time in its history, the airline has carried a million passengers in six months. Last year airBaltic registered its millionth passenger in July, in 2006 – in September, in 2005 – in December.
airBaltic launches direct flights from Riga to Tampere
airBaltic launches direct flights from Riga to Tampere, Finland, on October 1 of this year. This will be already the fourth destination served by airBaltic in Finland.
Air France increases fuel surcharge
Due to the high level of fuel prices, Air France is increasing its fuel surcharge by 2 euros per segment on domestic flights, by 4 euros per segment on medium-haul flights, by 10 euros per segment on long-haul flights and by 14 euros per segment on very long-haul flights. This increase is valid on tickets for trips from France, issued as from 10th July 2008.
Austrian reduces winter capacities on routes into USA
Against the background of the current crisis in the aviation industry, high kerosene prices and reduced demand, the Austrian Airlines Group is evaluating a series of measures designed to optimise its own production. Now, in a first step, the company will be carrying out selective capacity adjustments in the coming months. The London City Airport and Chicago destinations will both be taken out of the schedule (from 18 August and the winter schedule respectively), while other targeted reductions will be made in Europe over the winter.
Austrian announces increased fuel surcharge
Due to the rising kerosene purchase price, the Austrian Airlines Group is increasing its fuel surcharge for short- and medium-haul flights from the current level of EUR 24 to EUR 27. Fuel surcharges on long-haul routes are also increased, from EUR 92 to EUR 98. These new charges apply to all tickets for scheduled flights operated by the Austrian Airlines Group sold or issued from 15 July 2008 onwards.
The Austrian Premium Service takes off
A new era dawns for all Austrian Business Class passengers on flights to the Middle East and Central Asia on 15 July: this is when the Austrian Premium Service, which combines Austrian hospitality with Oriental flair, is to be used for the very first time on flights to Damascus and Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.
Adiós Cardiff, Buenos Días Espana!
On the heels of the sporting success of its national football team and new Wimbledon champ Rafael Nadal, Spain can expect an increase in popularity as a travel destination. None more so than the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona, where the eclectic architecture of Antoni Gaudí and the fascinating galleries and museums provide the perfect backdrop to a city of exuberance and excitement.
Ryanair announces further reductions in Autumn seat sale
Ryanair today announced a further price reduction as part of its Autumn 2008 Seat Sale – doubling the savings already available to millions of customers. The latest deal reduces Ryanair’s return fares by £40 for travel between 9 September and 28 March 2009. All of Ryanair’s 716 routes are included in this offer.
Ryanair criticises IAA radar failure at Dublin Airport
Ryanair has criticised the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) for the incident which followed the failure of the IAA’s radar system at Dublin Airport, causing Dublin Airport to be closed to inbound flights at 14:00hrs yesterday with five inbound Ryanair flights being diverted to Shannon and Belfast.
Ryanair.com says ‘no changes necessary’
Ryanair has welcomed the European Parliament decision to bring airlines into line with fare transparency standards. The airline also states that its own website is already compliant with the decision made today.