Flybe is offering a lifeline to expectant mums in the later stages of pregnancy. Currently, women who are more than 34 weeks pregnant are not permitted to fly even with a medical certificate stating they are fit to fly. These rules can lead to some women having to travel and stay away from home to receive medical treatments that may not be available where they live. After much investigation, Flybe has announced that, on specific routes only, it can accommodate women at any stage of pregnancy who need to attend mainland hospitals and who hold a signed medical certificate confirming that they are fit to fly. Flybe’s approved routes are:
Women who are between 28 and 34 weeks pregnant still require a medical certificate and can travel on any route. Consultant and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Feto-Maternal Medicine at Southampton University Hospital, David Howe comments: “We are delighted that Flybe has been able to make this critical policy change. To the small number of women each year to which this is so important, this will make a huge difference at a time when they are already under considerable stress for other reasons and I am very grateful that Flybe has taken the time and trouble to consider and change this policy.” Leeds Airport has received the Safer Parking award for its airport parking facilities for the sixth year in a row. The Safe Parking award is run by ParkMark and is only awarded to parking companies that demonstrate high standards of safety and security including good access control, safe entries and exits and comprehensive CCTV coverage. To book Leeds airport parking using an instant, online price checker or to book accommodation at Leeds airport hotels click on the links. Manx2.com is launching a new timetable in a bid to grow business links between Belfast and the Isle of Man. From this month, February, flights will leave Belfast International Airport at 8.30am every weekday and return from Ronaldsway Airport in the Isle of Man at 5.45pm every evening. Additional flights will operate on Monday, Friday and Sundays and for this summer Manx2.com will also be launching a Saturday service on the route. Fares start from just £29.95 and in February every passenger travelling to Belfast International will enjoy complimentary access to the Rendezvous lounge at Ronaldsway, where a great range of free drinks and snacks will be on offer in comfortable surroundings. Chairman Noel Hayes said: “This new visitor-friendly timetable has been designed to encourage better links between Belfast and the Isle of Man and to encourage more people to travel. These new flight times are ideal for both the business and leisure traveller. We also fly to and from Belfast City three times a day, seven days a week.” To book Belfast airport parking and Belfast hotels click on the links. Thomas Cook has unveiled two new summer routes to Greece from Birmingham Airport. Flights to the Greek islands of Skiathos and Santorini will be added to the destinations available through Thomas Cook – including Canary Islands, Turkey, Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal, Crete, Egypt, Balearic Islands, Tunisia, Malta and Cyprus. Flights to Skiathos and Santorini will operate from May to October. To book Birmingham airport hotels and Birmingham airport parking using an online parking price checker click on the links. Efforts are continuing at Aberdeen Airport to fill some of the gaps left behind following the collapse of Flyglobespan. The Scottish airline went into administration last December, leaving a number of destinations from the North-east un-served. From that day, teams in Aberdeen have been hard at work, to secure new carriers on a number of the routes. In January Thomas Cook confirmed they would take over the running of the Turkish destinations, namely Dalaman and Antalya. Since then the operator has also pledged to a limited programme between Aberdeen and Tenerife in the height of the summer season. Despite these just being rolled out on an ad-hoc charter basis, it is hoped that this frequency can increase. There are also ongoing discussions with operators on a number of leisure destinations for both summer and winter – as well as bringing in some brand new destinations. Airport Managing Director Kevin Brown explained why getting confirmation of a new route is a long process, he said “It can be more tricky than people might imagine due to the constraints that airlines and operators are under. Many of them have already secured and finalised their plans for this year, and did so many months ago, making it very difficult for them to alter their schedules. For that reason we are working closely with them to identify any possible opportunities. “We completely appreciate the value of these destinations to the North-east community and are making every effort to ensure that people can keep flying from their local airport to their favourite holiday destinations. “I am really proud of the work that the team here are doing behind the scenes, and I can assure passengers that we are confident about new announcements in the near future.” To book Aberdeen airport parking using an instant online parking price checker and Aberdeen airport hotels click on the links. Wizz Air is to double services between Luton Airport and Bucharest. From 26 June, the airline will base a fourth aircraft (Air Airbus A320) at Bucharest that will enable it to launch new services and double the number of flights to London Luton from 7 to 14. New services available from Bucharest will be: Cuneo/Turin, Weeze/Dusseldorf and Zaragoza. To book Luton airport parking and Luton airport hotels click on the links. Star 1 Airlines, Lithuania’s low-cost airline, is launching summer flights between Vilnius and Edinburgh Airport. The Edinburgh to Vilnius service will commence on 28 March 2010, operating on Thursdays and Sundays until 7 May when flights will switch to Fridays and Sundays. One bonus with Star 1 Airlines is that the airline does not charge for checked-in baggage – one suitcase not exceeding 20 kg. For up-to-date Edinburgh airport information and to book Edinburgh airport parking and Edinburgh airport hotels click on the links. Aer Arann has just celebrated the first anniversary of it flights to London City Airport from the Isle of Man. The service has provided an important business and leisure link between the Island and London, and has seen the airline carry 60,000 passengers in its first year – 30% of the London to Isle of Man market. The airline made history a year ago by becoming the first airline to become certified to operate the ATR 72-500 series aircraft into London City Airport having worked with the CAA, ATR and London City airport to obtain the required steep approach certification for the modern, quiet and environmentally friendly turbo prop. In addition to its London City service, Aer Arann also operates a daily service from the Isle of Man to Dublin and recently introduced Isle of Man to Paris flights which will operate weekly throughout February 2010. To book London City airport parking and London City airport hotels click on the links. Flybe is to launch a new three-times-per-week service to Perpignan from Birmingham Airport. The new Birmingham flights will operate Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays between 13 July and 31 August 2010. To book Birmingham airport hotels and Birmingham airport parking using an online parking price checker click on the links. Hey, this may be a publicity stunt but it is funny. easyJet has offered the Pope free flights between Rome and London in an attempt to reduce the cost of his UK visit, which is estimated to cost the UK tax payer in excess of £20million. According to easyJet’s website: The airline has contacted the Holy Press Office in Rome to extend the invitation and is currently awaiting a response. How long before someone offers the Vatican free car hire, or free shuttle services? |
