Archive for the ‘Aberdeen airport’ CategoryPassenger numbers are still on the increase at Aberdeen Airport. Figures released show that the airport witnessed an 11.3% increase in passenger numbers in September when compared to September 2010 figures. The airport handled 298,700 passengers in September partly attributable to an Aberdeen oil conference. However, comparing January 2011 to September 2011 passenger numbers with the same period in 2010, the airport still saw an 11.1% increase, and in a rolling 12-month period passenger numbers show a rise of 7% compared to the previous 12 months. Comparing figures with September 2010, Aberdeen also saw increases in air transport movements and cargo in September with a 4.9% increase in air transport movements and a 9.3% increase in cargo – the only BAA airport to see an increase in September’s cargo movements. A group of leading Scottish business and public sector figures has written an open letter to the Chancellor calling for immediate action to be taken on Air Passenger Duty. The letter follows an announcement in late September that APD for long haul routes in Northern Ireland were to be reduced to short haul levels, in order to help stimulate the economy. The letter notes that there are many similarities between the economic context for Northern Ireland and Scotland – Scotland is trying to increase inward investment and increase export revenue to support an economy recovering from the economic recession. In the circumstances, the group suggests that many of the arguments that apply to the relationship between rates of APD and the development of business and tourism in Northern Ireland apply equally to the more peripheral regions of the UK, including the North East of Scotland. Derek Provan, Aberdeen Airport Managing Director said “Earlier this year, we as a group asked the Chancellor to consider devolving APD to the Scottish Government. Ministers in Scotland have been supportive of this proposal, and we have sought confirmation from them that should it be devolved the monies raised would be used for the long-term good of the aviation industry in Scotland. This announcement about changes to the system in Northern Ireland make it increasingly difficult to ignore our argument.” Derick Murray, director of North east transport body NESTRANS said: “An economic impact study, carried out for the Scottish Airports, into Air Passenger Duty clearly shows the relationship between this tax and passenger numbers. For the North East, because of our geography and global economy a very high proportion of passengers are businesses and this tax effectively taxes our businesses disproportionately. Devolution to the Scottish Parliament, as proposed for Northern Ireland would permit taxes to be set that don’t penalise our companies.” A copy of the joint APD letter can be found here Aberdeen Airport runway extension was officially opened last Thursday, almost 8 months ahead of schedule. Guests watched while an aircraft taxied onto the new stretch of tarmac, through an impressive water-arch, to mark the 124 metre extension open. Teams have been working tirelessly every night since March on the £10 million extension, a vital piece of local infrastructure. Derek Provan, the airport Managing Director said: “Today represents a milestone, not just for the airport but for the wider North-east of Scotland. It is a major investment in securing the services our passengers want going forward, and investment in the success and growth of the region. Between this and our projected capital spend of around 60 million over the next 10 years, we have proven beyond doubt our commitment to this region and the people who rely upon our services. ”I specifically want to extend my thanks to the project teams, at all levels, who have been working tirelessly on this major piece of regional local infrastructure. We would not have got to this point today without an incredible amount of work and dedication and for that I am extremely grateful”.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is to investigate the charges over foreign currency exchange after being issued a super complaint by consumer watchdog, Customer Focus. The super complaint says that the British public are being charged around £1 billion a year in charges. Charges, which the watchdog says were unclear, excessive and possibly even unwarranted. Charges for exchanging monies were exampled in the report, citing that exchanging £500 into Euros can vary as much as from £10 up to £30 – Customer Focus says that consumers are confused as to how much foreign currency they will actually get for their £500 budget. The complaint also cites that advertising for foreign exchanges are misleading. It states that marketing headlines such as “0% commission” and “competitive exchange rates” are ambiguous. The phrase, 0% commission is under fire, given says the research, that rates have been inflated to include mark-ups, which is effectively the bureau de change or bank’s ‘commission’. Talking about the super complaint, Consumer Focus Chief Executive, Mike O’Connor, says “Almost half of us travel abroad every year, and we face a confusing array of hidden charges every time we buy currency. There are huge differences in the prices charged, for essentially providing the same service and, typically, banks offer the worst deal.” As a result, Consumer Focus are calling for the OFT to review three key areas in which will help consumers. These are:
Mr O’Connor concluded, “A cocktail of confusing charges and poor transparency means collectively we are losing out in a big way. We are calling on the OFT to investigate and work with the industry to send these dubious and complex charges packing.” Ryanair has announced it is to axe its Aberdeen to Dublin service from 29 October 2011. The airline cites BAA’s refusal to extend a low-cost deal at Aberdeen as the reason for the withdrawal of it service. The last flight will take of from Dublin at 14:00 on 28 October. Passengers with bookings beyond 28 October 2011 will receive automatic refunds.
Figures recently released by BAA show that August was a busy month for its Scottish airports, with all three seeing strong growth in passenger traffic. Aberdeen Airport saw the largest increase – passenger numbers were up by 6.7% when compared to August 2010. Glasgow Airport witnessed a 5.5% increase compared to August 2010 and passenger numbers at Edinburgh Airport were up by 3% compared to 2010. In a rolling 12-month period, September 2010 to August 2011, all BAA’s Scottish Airports saw an increase in passenger numbers when compared with the previous 12 months – Aberdeen up 5.4%, Edinburgh up 6% and Glasgow up 1.5%. A new hotel and business park situated at Aberdeen Airport would create up to 2,000 jobs. Plans for the £100m, 54 acre four star hotel development have been unveiled, with the intention for the business units of the plans to be ready by next summer. The hotel and business park will attract new business to the north east of the country, as well as maintaining existing business in the region. The development will also give a welcome boost to the airport as it plans include a runway extension and a commitment to improve local road infrastructure. Construction is being led by Ribnort, the site referred to as ABZ.
Eastern Airways is introducing more flights from Bristol Airport to Aberdeen and Leeds Bradford. The regional airline will increase Bristol flights from to two three each weekday to both Aberdeen and Leeds Bradford from 3 October 2011. Weekday flights to Leeds Bradford and Aberdeen will depart from Bristol at 6.45am, 12.05pm (Mon-Wed), 1.45pm (Thu-Fri), and 5.15pm (Mon-Wed) and 6pm (Thu-Fri). Flights from Aberdeen to Bristol depart at 6.50am, 11.30am (Mon-Wed), 3pm (Thu-Fri) and 5pm. Leeds Bradford flights to Bristol take off at 8.15am, 12.55pm (Mon-Wed), 4.20pm (Thu-Fri) and 6.35pm. A Sunday service will also continue to be offered to both Leeds Bradford and Aberdeen from Bristol. Eastern Airways is set to increase services between Southampton and Aberdeen. From 5 September 2011, an additional weekday service will be introduced offering up to three daily flights each weekday. The Sunday service will also continue. Weekday flight times: From Southampton From Aberdeen The Air Travel Advisory Bureau (ATAB) is teaming up with law firm Barker Gillette to launch a coordinated legal claim against UK airlines that have not refunded Air Passenger Duty (APD) to passengers who have booked flights and not flown. Since the tax was introduced in 1994, ATAB estimates that consumers have lost out on millions of pounds in un-refunded APD. In fact, Which? Estimated that in 2003 alone Ryanair retained more than £5 million in un-refunded taxes. ATAB Chairman, Tony White said, “It is a scandal that some airlines hang on to this money. It never belonged to them. It’s a tax collected on the behalf of the Government. With a couple of exceptions, most of the UK airlines make it as difficult as possible to get your money back. If you don’t actually fly, for whatever reason, you are entitled to get the APD refunded. The airlines already have your credit card details, they should refund your card immediately. They make it difficult or expensive in the hope that you’ll go away – and most people do just that”. “It is truly shocking, we’ve found some airlines that will charge an “administration fee” greater than the value of the refund. This is a complete rip-off and it’s our intention to put an end to it. If you have booked an airline ticket out of the UK anytime since 1994, and not flown, then we want to hear from you” said White. For more information in reclaiming APD on unused flights visit www.atab.org.uk/action-now/reclaim-your-taxes/ |
