Archive for the ‘Aberdeen airport’ CategoryIn an attempt to stop the Government from further increasing the Air Passenger Duty (APD) this November, ABTA is calling on travellers to write to their MPs. APD, which currently raises £2 billion for the Government, was introduced in 1994 and has seen several increases since. Prior to 1 November 2009, fees were set at Reduced Rates (economy seats) £10 for European destinations and £40 for all other destinations. Standard Rates (premium seats, including business class only airlines) were £20 for European destinations and £80 for all other destinations. On 1 November 2009, four geographical bands were introduced based on the distance from London. The 2009 APD duty applicable for a single flight was levied at:
A further increase is set to be introduced this November with the fees increasing to:
For Premium seats the charges are double at:
In 2009 the Telegraph launched a campaign to get the APD scrapped. To find out more, and to add your name to their petition click here.
In a statement on its website, BALPA (the British Airline Pilot’s Association) has confirmed that it has asked to meet the management of Virgin Atlantic today, 24 August, for ‘last ditch’ talks to avoid confrontation between the airline and its pilots. On its website BALPA states “the dispute is over the way the company is denying pilots their entitlement to a minimum number of rostered days off which are allowed for in an agreement the pilots have with the airline. These 120 rostered days off per year are the equivalent of an office worker’s weekends and bank holidays but without the same predictability.” Jim McAuslan, General Secretary of BALPA, said: ‘BALPA always does what it can to assist airlines through downturns, as many airlines will testify, and we did this with Virgin during these past difficult years. To now find that the company is breaching an agreement and denying many pilots their entitlement to the equivalent of a weekend off is a real slap in the face and one which we cannot accept. ‘We call on the company to pick up our offer of talks and to find a way through’
Ryanair has announced its peak-season baggage charges are to return to €15 per bag and €25 for heavy bags for travel from 1 September, however, passengers travelling on international routes to and from the Canary Islands will still have to pay the peak-season charges – €20 per bag and €30 heavy bag – these higher charges will apply all year round. The airline introduced higher baggage charges for flights during July and August this year with the ’sweetner’ of allowing passengers to check in two bags, subject to charges, of course. The CAA is once again highlighting the need for passengers to be aware of items that are banned from being carried on a plane after a man was convicted of attempting to take dangerous chemicals on to an aircraft at Manchester Airport last year. The man was found guilty of ‘recklessly acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft’ after he pleaded guilty to attempting to take corrosive and flammable chemicals on to a plane. Geoff Leach, Manager of the CAA’s Dangerous Goods Office, said: “Unlike items restricted for reasons of security (eg knives and scissors) which may be carried safely in checked (hold) baggage, “dangerous goods” such as the chemicals involved in this instance can pose the same danger to the aircraft and its occupants wherever they are carried and consequently must not be carried by passengers at all. “It is vital that passengers check the list of permitted items well in advance of travel to determine whether any unusual items they wish to carry are allowed. Unfortunately, incidents like this cause delays and disruption to the travelling public as well as endangering the safety of passengers and staff at UK airports throughout the year. “ Dangerous goods that must NOT be taken on board an aircraft are:
Passengers requiring further information about what they can and can’t transport on aircraft can contact the CAA’s Dangerous Goods Office on 01293 573900. There’s great news for passengers today, with confirmation that one of Aberdeen airport’s most previously popular destinations is making a comeback! Within the last few days Barrhead Travel has confirmed that it is to commence weekly flights from the North-east to Malaga, starting in May 2011 – the beginning of next year’s summer season. The company has also said that if pre-bookings are a success it will seriously consider upping its rotations and capacity. Barrhead Travel has also confirmed today that it is launching flights to Palma next year from Aberdeen. Both routes are being officially launched next Monday, 26 July. To book Aberdeen airport parking using an instant online parking price checker and Aberdeen airport hotels click on the links. Despite a reported rise in ’stay-cations’, Aberdeen Airport is bucking the trend and gearing up for one of the busiest days of the year so far. As many as 10,300 passengers will pass through the airport tomorrow, Friday 2 July, as families make the most of the start of the school summer holidays. On Monday the projected peak will be reached at 10,400 passengers. This year the estimated totals are very similar to the actual numbers reached in the first weekend of the 2009 summer holidays, and could possibly exceed them. The top four destinations from Aberdeen airport this weekend are London, Amsterdam, Paris and Birmingham. To book Aberdeen airport parking using an instant online parking price checker and Aberdeen airport hotels click on the links.
Ryanair has announced it is to offer passengers the option of increased baggage allowances this summer. The new allowances mean passengers can each check in up to two bags per trip and also have the option of paying for an increased weight allowance on their first checked-in bag – from 15kg to 20kg. As with any Ryanair ‘extra’ you’ll have to pay for the privilege, and prices depend on time of travel – see below for online prices: 1st bag 2nd bag Aberdeen Airport Managing Director Kevin Brown has this morning confirmed he is set to leave his post, after more than three years in the top job. He is moving to the capital to the role of Managing Director at Edinburgh Airport, taking over from the outgoing MD Gordon Dewar. He is due to leave at the end of July. Mr Brown has been in his current post at Aberdeen since 2007, but joined BAA back in 2002 in the Engineering Department at Heathrow. He began working at Aberdeen in November 2003 and after a variety of roles he became Managing Director in 2007. Speaking just after it was confirmed he said “I will be sad to leave Aberdeen Airport, where I have so many great memories and have met so many dedicated and passionate people. It is a great airport that communities across the North-east, and beyond, should be rightly proud of. “I am pleased to be staying within the BAA group and am looking forward to the new challenge. There can be no doubt that there is a lot to get my teeth into this new position, not least helping make sure Edinburgh Airport remains productive and competitive. Despite significant growth in recent months, and while other airports have suffered during the recession, we cannot become complacent and everyone is aware that staying at the top of our game will involve a great deal of work.” To book Aberdeen airport parking using an instant online parking price checker and Aberdeen airport hotels click on the links.
Ryanair has announced it now has a dedicated Volcanic Ash Disruption team set up to handle refunds and claims from passengers in connection with the disruption caused by the ash cloud. For more information go to www.ryanair.com/en/notices/gops/100518-ASH_REIMBURSE_INFO-GB The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the introduction of a new Time Limited Zone (TLZ) which will allow flights to take place though denser ash cloud than previously permitted. Following discussions with airlines, regulators, and aircraft and engine manufacturers the new Time Limited Zone, which effectively doubles the amount of permissible ash grammes per cubic metre of air, will reduce the need for airspace closures caused by volcanic ash. New procedures and the introduction of the zone will take place from midday today, 18 May 2010. To operate in the new zone airlines need to present the CAA with a safety case that includes the agreement of their aircraft and engine manufacturers. UK airline Flybe is the first to achieve this and will therefore be able to use the new zone from midday. Announcing the change Andrew Haines, Civil Aviation Authority Chief Executive, said: “I’m pleased that the huge efforts we’re all making across aviation to keep flying safe whilst minimising the disruption from the volcano have resulted in further progress. Unprecedented situations require new measures and the challenge faced should not be underestimated. Firstly because the standard default procedure for aircraft that encounter ash, to avoid it completely, doesn’t work in our congested airspace. Secondly, the world’s top scientists tell us that we must not simply assume the effects of this volcano will be the same as others elsewhere. Its proximity to the UK, the length of time it is continuously erupting and the weather patterns are all exceptional features. “The answer can only come, therefore, from aircraft and engine manufacturers establishing what level of ash their products can safely tolerate. At an international aviation conference we held last Thursday, attended by all the leading airline operators this approach was welcomed and supported. The manufacturers are co-operating fully and urgently in this task and the new zone is an excellent example of how the industry should be working to move the issue forward and I commend Flybe for its work.” The introduction of the Time Limited Zone is based on measurements collected from test flights through the current ash cloud over the past month, as well as on data and evidence compiled and analysed from previous volcanic ash incidents combined with additional analysis from manufacturers. |
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