The result of the BAA strike action is due to be revealed later, in what could cause mass heartache for UK travellers throughout September. The ballot was put to 6,185 members to decide whether to strike or not over a pay dispute.
BAA has offered its workers at all six airports a 1% rise which the Unite Union described as paltry, but BAA insist it is fair considering the current climate. Even worse BAA has confirmed that its airports would shut on strike days causing chaos for the UK.
Other arguments include bonus target that BAA said if reached would be paid, it was missed by 3% but Unite feel that was harsh and the workers should have been rewarded. Both bosses for Unite and BAA said talks were ongoing.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
New Maritius Terminal To Improve Tourism
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) international airport of Mauritius, was originally built around WWII to serve as an RAF airfield/base on the island. With time and the island's development, it changed its purpose and became a passenger airport, serving as the national carrier's, Air Mauritius hub.
In the mid 80s, with tourists arrivals on the rise and in order to better prepare for the future, the airport had its first renovation and expansion works with a new passenger terminal and the extension of the current runway so as larger jets be able to land and take off.
In the past couple of years, it has known several small renovations in order to ease passenger traffic.
In the 1980s, nobody thought that the Mauritian airport would see huge amounts of traffic as it has been the case for the past 8-10 years. In 2008 only, over 2.6 million passengers went through its gates! As so and in view of offering a quality service to airlines and passengers, the management company, AML (Airports of Mauritius Ltd) teamed with an subsidiary company of ADPG (Aeroports De Paris Group) to build the new passenger terminal in December 2009.
The project, valued at over 300M US$, is expected to be delivered about 3 years later (late 2012-early 2013).
The new terminal will have a passenger capacity of nearly 4 million per year (1640/hour at peak), a larger surface area of around 57 000 square meters (3400 M2 for commercial use, 2200 M2 for lounges), 8 contact stands (Airbus A380 compatible!), 52 check-in desks, 9 telescopic bridges, 6 baggage carrousels, tour operator counters, modern parking lot, closer and larger taxi parking zone and many more facilities.
The new terminal is also expected to help the national carrier Air Mauritius become an important force in the region and improve transits for both airlines and tourists visiting the paradise island of Mauritius.
In the mid 80s, with tourists arrivals on the rise and in order to better prepare for the future, the airport had its first renovation and expansion works with a new passenger terminal and the extension of the current runway so as larger jets be able to land and take off.
In the past couple of years, it has known several small renovations in order to ease passenger traffic.
In the 1980s, nobody thought that the Mauritian airport would see huge amounts of traffic as it has been the case for the past 8-10 years. In 2008 only, over 2.6 million passengers went through its gates! As so and in view of offering a quality service to airlines and passengers, the management company, AML (Airports of Mauritius Ltd) teamed with an subsidiary company of ADPG (Aeroports De Paris Group) to build the new passenger terminal in December 2009.
The project, valued at over 300M US$, is expected to be delivered about 3 years later (late 2012-early 2013).
The new terminal will have a passenger capacity of nearly 4 million per year (1640/hour at peak), a larger surface area of around 57 000 square meters (3400 M2 for commercial use, 2200 M2 for lounges), 8 contact stands (Airbus A380 compatible!), 52 check-in desks, 9 telescopic bridges, 6 baggage carrousels, tour operator counters, modern parking lot, closer and larger taxi parking zone and many more facilities.
The new terminal is also expected to help the national carrier Air Mauritius become an important force in the region and improve transits for both airlines and tourists visiting the paradise island of Mauritius.
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Air Steward In Emergency Exit
Air steward Steven Slater has become an internet phenomenon by exiting a Jetblue via the emergency chute with beer in tow after falling out with a passenger.
The dispute started before take off at Pittsburgh airport. When 2 women were arguing about the storage of their bags, Mr Slater stepped in only to be cursed by the woman
When the aircraft landed at JFK International airport another altercation took place which resulted in Mr Slater being hit on the head by the women’s bag.
After she refused to apologise and once again swore at the steward, he flipped out. Taking to the passenger announcement system he thanked customers for their dignity and respect, grabbed some beer from the galley and opened the emergency chute and slid down to the ground. He then proceeded to his car and drove home.
He was later arrested at home and now faces a jail sentence, though he has become a sensation on the internet with facebook pages attracting over 90,000 fans already. T-shirts have been printed picturing him sliding down the chute drinking beer. He is being described as a hero for working people.
The dispute started before take off at Pittsburgh airport. When 2 women were arguing about the storage of their bags, Mr Slater stepped in only to be cursed by the woman
When the aircraft landed at JFK International airport another altercation took place which resulted in Mr Slater being hit on the head by the women’s bag.
After she refused to apologise and once again swore at the steward, he flipped out. Taking to the passenger announcement system he thanked customers for their dignity and respect, grabbed some beer from the galley and opened the emergency chute and slid down to the ground. He then proceeded to his car and drove home.
He was later arrested at home and now faces a jail sentence, though he has become a sensation on the internet with facebook pages attracting over 90,000 fans already. T-shirts have been printed picturing him sliding down the chute drinking beer. He is being described as a hero for working people.
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Heathrow Increases Passengers For July 2010
BAA celebrated a record number of passengers passing through its Heathrow terminals last month. The airport owner which owns Heathrow, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Southampton, Aberdeen and until recently Gatwick saw some 10.9 million passengers across all its airports for July.
Heathrow also recorded its busiest ever day on the 18 July as the airport catered for 232,000 passengers and was up by 3.5% to 6.7 million for the month. Its other airports had mixed results as Glasgow, Stansted and Aberdeen’s traffic fell. Whilst Edinburgh and Heathrow increased.
Travel firm Tui confirmed they had taken more bookings for their holiday packages but admitted their profits were down due to the low prices they were charging to try to entice Uk holiday makers abroad. The news was welcoming at Heathrow but there is still a long way to go before the travel industry returns to normal.
Heathrow also recorded its busiest ever day on the 18 July as the airport catered for 232,000 passengers and was up by 3.5% to 6.7 million for the month. Its other airports had mixed results as Glasgow, Stansted and Aberdeen’s traffic fell. Whilst Edinburgh and Heathrow increased.
Travel firm Tui confirmed they had taken more bookings for their holiday packages but admitted their profits were down due to the low prices they were charging to try to entice Uk holiday makers abroad. The news was welcoming at Heathrow but there is still a long way to go before the travel industry returns to normal.
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Ryanair Break Traffic Record
Ryanair have announced their passenger numbers have grown by 13% for July when compared to 2009 whilst BA has declined by 2.6%. The Irish based airline carried over 7.5 million passengers last month a record high, which was previously 6.8 million held in August 2009.
British Airways enjoyed a strike free month, yet only managed 3.1 million passengers a decline from 3.2 million the previous year.
Ryanair also announced they had carried 70 million passengers in the 12 months leading to the end of July, which was far better than expected, in light of the ash cloud debacle. The airline had to cancel 10,000 flights during the airspace lockdown.
A company spokesmen said Ryanair’s low air fares, no fuel surcharges and good customer service was the key to attracting so many passengers. In a dig aimed at a certain airline he also went on to say customers were switching from strike ridden flag carriers.
Philippines In Bomb Scare
A suicide bomb attack has taken place in the Philippines at Zamboanga airport, reports suggest there was one fatality and numerous injured. Though not claimed by ant terrorist groups it is thought to be the work of terrorists.
The attack took place hours before the United States ambassador to the Philippines Henry Thomas was due to arrive. That trip has now been cancelled with Mr Thomas citing extra security issues and giving the authorities time to investigate the incident as the reason.
The only fatality of the bomb scare was indeed the bomber himself, early suggestions are linking the attack to the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic organisation which was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people in a 2004 bombing.
The attack took place hours before the United States ambassador to the Philippines Henry Thomas was due to arrive. That trip has now been cancelled with Mr Thomas citing extra security issues and giving the authorities time to investigate the incident as the reason.
The only fatality of the bomb scare was indeed the bomber himself, early suggestions are linking the attack to the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic organisation which was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people in a 2004 bombing.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Talks Prove Fruitless
Further talks between British Airways and Union Unite have taken place and failed, the talks took place under the supervision of the mediation service Acas but were adjourned for a later date in an effort to prevent further strikes.
A new pay deal had been offered to the Union, a 2.9% pay rise next year and 3% the year after, but that was rejected in a recent ballot. BA insist that any new deal would be formed from that basis.
The Union is threatening more strikes in September and stated there was no point in BA carrying on with the dispute. But BA boss Willie Walsh hit back by saying flights including all long haul would be unaffected by future strikes. Volunteer workers have been trained and will be on stand-by if needed claimed Mr Walsh.
Both sides claim to want an end to the long running feud, yet both seem unlikely to change their stance.
A new pay deal had been offered to the Union, a 2.9% pay rise next year and 3% the year after, but that was rejected in a recent ballot. BA insist that any new deal would be formed from that basis.
The Union is threatening more strikes in September and stated there was no point in BA carrying on with the dispute. But BA boss Willie Walsh hit back by saying flights including all long haul would be unaffected by future strikes. Volunteer workers have been trained and will be on stand-by if needed claimed Mr Walsh.
Both sides claim to want an end to the long running feud, yet both seem unlikely to change their stance.
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