Wednesday 28 July 2010

Unite In Human Rights Claim


Union bosses are claiming that BA’s refusal to re-instate travel perks is against their workers human rights. The travel perks were removed earlier this year after cabin crew went on strike for a total of 22 days, even after being warned that by doing so they would lose their travel perks.

It is also common knowledge that this is a major stumbling block in the on-going row between Unite and BA. The human rights claim by Unite could end up at the high court, where both parties have met before, with both sides claiming victories in the past.

More talks between Unite and BA are set to take place next week at the conciliation service Acas, but Willie Walsh insists if more strikes do take place, flights will operate as normal. Future strikes do look unlikely as the latest ballot had over 6000 boycott the vote and BA seem to operate better and better with every strike to obtain minimal effect.

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Easyjet To Pre Cancel Flights


Easyjet has announced that its customers face pre-planned cancellations during the summer holidays. As part of cost cutting measures carried out by outgoing chief executive Andy Harrison. The airline is massively understaffed and unable to honour the 1,200 flights a day, it has to carry out for its busy schedule.

They plan to borrow planes from rival airlines to help accommodate its workload, whilst some passengers who have already booked, will have had their flights cancelled already, they just don’t know it yet. New chief Carolyn McCall said the passengers affected would be contacted and that it would be better than arriving at the airport to find their flights cancelled.

Reports suggest that Easyjet doesn’t have enough pilots to carry out its hectic schedule that was introduced by Harrison. Safety laws also prevent staff from being in the air too long, which further enhances the staffing problems.

Only half of Easyjet planes left Gatwick airport on time July a record which has recently been mocked by rival airline owner Michael O’Leary.

Mrs McCall commented “We have made some decisions which may have been penny wise and pound foolish - saving a little money to spend a great deal more.”

Easyjet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou has warned he may ban Easyjet from using his name as it is damaging the reputation if his Easy-group empire

Monday 26 July 2010

Jail Term For Hoax Bomb Threat

A 61 year old man has been handed a 4 year jail term for sending Heathrow airport fake e-mails about bomb threat. Adam Busby from Ballmun close to Dublin airport sent the hoax emails from a Library in Dublin in 2006.

The emails claimed there were explosive devices on planes from Heathrow bound for New York. The judge told him he had caused unessercery anxiety and fear. He was charged with two counts of sending hoax messages for the purpose of causing annoyance and panic.

The man was traced after his computer IP address was tracked to Dublin City Libraries then onto Charleville Mall Public Library.

The judge suspended the final two years of the sentance and told the man he could not ignore the fact that he had been convicted twice for similar crimes.

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Gatwick Plans For 2012 Olympics

Plans of how Gatwick is preparing for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to be discussed at the airport next week. The Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee (GATCOM) will be meeting in the Ascot Suite in the Hilton Hotel on Thursday 22nd July at 2pm.

The public are welcome and there will be a varied agenda, including a discussion on pollution levels, which are reportedly coming down, and the air traffic over Horley. A spokesman for the committee stated that there would almost probably discussions concerning the Airports' investment programme.

Travellers passing through Gatwick can now enjoy its new state-of-the-art inter-terminal shuttle - two months ahead of schedule and in time for the four million passengers that are expected to travel through the summer months.

GATCOM is also expected to hear more about the new coalition Government’s stance on the industry, after ruling out the possibility of extra runways. A Task Force to look at airports in the South East was recently announced and GATCOM is waiting to see its terms of reference.

GATCOM is made up of 28 appointed representatives who collectively have a wide knowledge of relevant subjects including local authorities, civil aviation, community and environmental groups.

A Government representative is also present at the main GATCOM meetings, together with Gatwick Airport’s managing director and the senior management team.

The role of GATCOM includes building interest, communication and understanding between the airport and everyone who uses it.

BA Claim Victory Over Unite

Willie Walsh and his airline British Airways have declared victory over the union Unite after a ballot for the latest pay offer was boycotted by some 6000 cabin crew workers. Unite are still claiming a 67% victory after 3,400 did vote against the offer with 1,686 voting in favour.

BA claim that support for the Unite is falling every day, whilst Unite claim the result of the vote raises threats of more strikes. Though that threat looks unlikely with such a weak turnout.

Campaigners are now calling for the Union to accept it has lost the battle and turn its attentions to workers who have lost their jobs and travel perks because of the long running feud.

Monday 19 July 2010

Hotel Staff Aggresive Towards Goldtrail Customers

Goldtrail customers are being forced to leave their hotels or pay twice after the Uk tour operator went bust last Friday, other hotels have taken passports from travellers with assurances they would be returned only to be told they would have to pay to get them back.

The collapse of the company last Friday has left some 16,000+ travellers stranded abroad and many more with their summer holiday plans in ruins. The CAA has stepped in to arrange flights home for the holidaymakers while flights to the UK are unaffected in Turkey, holidaymakers in Greece are not so lucky.

With many thousand customers now in accommodation that hasn’t been paid for, more and more reports of the hotels aggressive response are coming to light. Such as the fear of leaving their hotel rooms in case the locks are changed so they can’t get back in. Or customers returning to their rooms to find their belongings thrown out on the street.

The CAA hopes to have 8,000 Brits back at home by the end of the day.

Friday 16 July 2010

Easyjet Win Court Ruling Over Ryanair

Michael O’ Leary has been forced to say sorry to his budget airline rival boss Stelios Haji-loanou, the Easyjet owner won a high court battle yesterday over damages caused by Ryanair adverts depicting the Easyjet owner as Pinocchio implying that Stelios was hiding the truth over its punctuality figures.

Stelios also stated that it wasn’t just a victory for Easyjet but a victory for everyone who has been bullied by the Ryanair chief or hit with their hidden extras.

Last February when O’ Leary was served with the court papers he challenged Stelios to a race around Trafalgar square to settle the dispute.

Stelios hos vowed to get his own back for the advertising feud by paying for adverts showing Mr O’Leary going to confession

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Ireland West Airport Knock Announces 300 New Jobs

The Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation of Ireland, Batt O'Keefe has announced that the Ireland West Airport Knock is soon going to open its doors for 300 new people searching for jobs.

The airport, opened all the way back in 1986, is supposed to be quite successful and it serves the surrounding areas perfectly. Various world-famous airlines operate there, including Ryanair, EasyJet, MyTravelLite, Aer Arann and so on.

The top traveling destinations of the airport are usually the nearest aiports in the UK, where afterwards the passengers can switch flights, but lately, it has also started to perform transatlantic services, with travelling destinations to Boston and New York.

As mentioned previously, the airport is going to offer 300 more jobs to the people of the area. This is seen as a big advantage for both, the people on the surrounding areas as well as the airport.

On the one hand, the people who live nearby can get a steady job on the airport and this is a very good news for them, as in the area there is a high percentage of unemployment. On the other hand, the airport badly needed the extra 300 people in order to offer its services in a more convenient way.

Monday 12 July 2010

Wi-Fi Not High

According to a recent report carried out by USA today less than 10% of air travel passengers have taken advantage of Wi-Fi technology which is used to access the internet wirelessly. Airlines and service providers had hoped it would take off, but so far passengers seem reluctant to pay another premium for their flight.

Michael Planey a consultant for What’s more, said the figure for passengers paying for their Wi-Fi could be even lower due to the many free coupons and trial offers currently in circulation.

Other reasons being cited for the technology shun is the reluctance of businesses to reimburse its workers for Wi-Fi expenses. Wi-Fi is currently in operation in less than a third of US commercial flights though that figure is set to rise by the end of the year. As airlines and service providers try to bring Wi-Fi to a wider audience.

Friday 9 July 2010

Fans Miss Semi-Final After Airport Problems


Problems at Durban’s King Shaka International airport meant approximately 700 football fans missed the World Cup semi-final match between Germany and Spain on Wednesday night due to congestion.

The Local Organising Committee and Fifa were quick to pass the blame on to the airport after they said they could not be held accountable for planes not landing in Durban. Fifa secretary Jerome Valcke expressed his sorrow for the disappointed fans but stated no compensation would be paid for un-used tickets.

The problems occurred because approximately 200 private aircraft arrived at the airport then refused to move on the ground for commercial aircraft carrying the excited fans. This caused a knock on delay meaning the fans missed the game.

An investigation has been launched by the Civil Aviation Authority into why the private jets carrying wealthy businessmen refused to move.

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Aer Lingus Regional Increases Cork Schedule

Aer Lingus Regional has announced an increased service at Cork airport after recent additions at Shannon airport. Since last Thursday flights have been arriving at Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham from Shannon airport.

Now it is Cork’s turn to receive a fuller flight schedule with flights bound for Manchester and Birmingham airport to be put in place as of the 31st October, fares for the new service will start at €29.99 one way.

Aer Lingus Regional was formed after Aer Lingus and Aer Arann launched the franchise earlier this year with the main focus being to introduce more flights between the UK and Ireland.

Something they are certainly achieving, Andrew Kelly the corporate affairs director for Aer Arann stated that the latest move would give its passengers more choice and flexibility when needing to get to the UK

Friday 2 July 2010

Passenger Numbers Increase

May 2010 was the first time airport passenger numbers topped pre-recession levels, which was confirmed by the International Air Traffic Association. The freight planes also saw a 34% increase in traffic.

IATA claimed it was a partly a rebound effect from the devastating ash cloud that created havoc throughout May and April. May saw a rise of 11.7% increase on May 2009 figures bringing it 1% above pre-recession levels.

The 11.7% figure represented the global figure, the European countries recovery was not as good as its global counterparts with only an 8.3% increase.