In-flight calls

The controversial issue of in-flight calls is one which is being discussed more and more these days.

There are increasing numbers of airlines which are signing up with OnAir, a system which enables flyers to use their mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices to communicate via voice or data connections during a flight. At present, only some airlines, for example, Air New Zealand, Emirates, TAP Air Portugal and Malaysia Airlines allow passengers to make voice calls using their mobile telephones, while others only permit communication via text or e-mail.

The good news for passengers who like to stay connected with those on the ground is that this initiative will most likely be adopted by many airlines. Companies can decide whether they will allow calls to be made during flights. The more airlines that accept this plan, the more that will follow along the same line.

Airlines vs. Online Travel Agencies

American Airlines’ decision not to continue selling airline tickets on two travel portals may lead to other airline companies following in their footsteps given the airlines’ business ties and importance. Not only does this company have a Joint Business Agreement with Iberia and British Airways, but it is also the third largest airline in the USA in terms of passengers transported.

On the 21st December 2010, American Airlines stopped selling airfares on Orbitz, and since the 2nd January 2011, it no longer offers tickets on Expedia. However, the company continues to operate with Kayak and Priceline.

American Airlines has been criticised by Expedia for this move. Expedia claims that it will make it more difficult for customers to compare airfares. However, other airlines will probably do the same.

Air France-KLM In Lawsuit

Air France-KLM and sister cargo airline Martinair are being sued by a host of European companies with the main claimants being Ericsson and Phillips. The lawsuit is based on price fixing which the companies claim Air France and Martinair were guilty of during the period 2000-2007. They claim they were overcharged 10% due to the illegal price fixing.

Air France has already paid a fine of $350 million after a US lawsuit found them guilty of the same accusation in 2008. They also agreed to an $87 million settlement of its civil liabilities.

CFI is representing the cheated companies and paying their legal costs, plus only charging a commission if their claim is successful. There main argument being, that it would be unfair to pay out to the US firms who were ripped off and not pay out the European firms.

A host of companies are involved such as pharmaceutical, automotive, electronics, food and fashion industries. If the claim is successful Air France-KLM could be looking at a payout of £430 million.

Flybe fills the void at Belfast

Flybe has announced it will start flying new routes from Belfast airport, the news comes less than a week after Ryanair decided they had waited long enough for a new runway and pulled their service from the airport.

The new routes will cater for Liverpool, Bristol and East Midland airport, all three of which were on the Ryanair routes. The new service will begin on October 31st with 2 flights daily to Bristol and East Midlands and four flights daily to Liverpool airport.

Mexican Stops Flying

Faltering airline Mexicana has ceased trading after a group of investors failed to agree a cost cutting deal with union bosses. The largest airline in Mexico terminated its service from Gatwick to Mexico earlier in the month and although it was temporarily re-instated the company has now stopped flying altogether.

The company’s website read “Financial deterioration and lack of agreements force Grupo Mexicana to stop flying” the closure also affects Mexicana Link and Mexicana Click all stopped trading on midnight last Friday.

It is just the latest casualty in a growing list of travel firms that have gone bust in 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.

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.

British Airlines Trailing

A recent survey carried out by consumer magazine has found the British airlines to be trailing behind its overseas competition. Out of 18 airlines Thomas Cook found itself rooted at the bottom of the list, whilst Virgin Atlantic finished 6th Britain’s highest entry.

British Airways finished 11th but were praised for their cleanliness and cabin crew, Thomas Cook took the heaviest criticism about legroom and comfort, whilst Ryanair was criticised over baggage charges.

The best long haul operator was awarded to Air New Zealand which recently launched a lie-flat layout for its economy class.

Which magazine head of research Rochelle Turner stated that price wasn’t the only factor customers were thinking of and that a friendly and comfortable experience had a lasting impression on travellers.

Terror Scare Over Atlantic

A British Airways jumbo jet bound for Mexico city was forced to turn around mid-air 2 hours into its journey, US authorities noticed discrepancies in a passengers data and refused the jet entry into its airspace, the Boeing 747 carrying 318 passengers was 2 hours over the Atlantic when it was forced to return to Heathrow airport.

Once back at Heathrow a 55 year old man was escorted off the plane and he and his luggage were searched under the terrorism act then handed to immigration officers, the Uk border agency has refused to say if hea had since been released.

Top security sources say the incident shows how nervous the US is over terror threats following Umar Abdulmutallab's attempt to blow up a jumbo jet on christmas day who was educated in London, the top source also went on to say the US think London is hot bed for terror fanatics.

BA said it was highly rare for a jumbo jet to be turned around mid-air but insisted that no security features had been breached.

Easyjet in advertising feud with Ryanair

Controversial Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has challenged Easyjet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou to a race around trafalgar square to settle a leagal argument, Easyjet have hired lawyers to force Ryanair to remove defamatory claims in their adverts.

Recent Ryanair adverts have dubbed Easyjet "high fares" and have mocked up Stelios as pinnochio over Easyjets claims that punctuality is their top priority, O'Leary claims that Easyjet are no longer publishing punctuality stats as the company begins to suffer.

Mr O,Leary joked they should race around trafalgar square man to man and if the Easyjet founder was succesfull then he would change his ways, Stelios who still owns a stake in Easyjest refused to comment.

BA hero re-lives ordeal

The pilot who crash landed at Heathrow airport yeterday told how he thought he and all 152 people on board were going to die, Peter Burkill described how the aircraft suffered a loss of power during landing.

He handed control of the plane to his co pilot and raised the jets flaps to reduce its decent and miss nearby buildings, the plane crash landed and slid approximately 372 meters uncontrollably along the ground.

A recent publication of the inestigation revealed that ice in the fuel lines had prevented fuel from reaching both engines causing the loss of power, unbelievably nobody was injured in the accident and pilot Peter Burkill was hailed a hero.

Ryanair announces raise in profit

Ryanairs chief Michael O'Leary has indicated that holidaymakers are starting to venture abroad again, with his airline reporting an expected full year net profit of 275m euros.

The airline did record a loss of 10.9m euros in the October - December period but that was much less than the 101.5m euros loss recorded during the same period in 2008

Ryanair stated that the outcome had been helped by a 37% reduction in fuel costs along with the removal of non-profitable routes, which was offset against a 12% drop in ticket prices.

Despite the encouraging findings the airline still warned that the market will reamain very difficult for a long time yet, however the budget airline continues to take business from its rival airlines and is expected to do well in Italy, Spain and the Uk.

The airline has come in for fierce criticism in recent times over numerous additional charges on top of its standard ticket prices. Ryanair chief operating officer Michael Cawley said in an interview with the BBC such criticism was not a concern to the company when it was expanding so fast. He said Ryanair was the fastest growing airline in Europe and one of only two that were growing at all.