In 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:

• Band A – flights to Europe £11
• Band B – flights of up to 4,000 miles £45
• Band C – flights to the Caribbean £50
• Band D – flights to Australia and New Zealand £60
• For Premium seats the charges are double.

A further increase is set to be introduced this November with the fees increasing to:

• Band A – flights to Europe £12
• Band B – flights of up to 4,000 miles £60
• Band C – flights to the Caribbean £75
• Band D – flights to Australia and New Zealand £85

For Premium seats the charges are double at:

• Band A – flights to Europe £24
• Band B – flights of up to 4,000 miles £120
• Band C – flights to the Caribbean £150
• Band D – flights to Australia and New Zealand £170

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.

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:

• explosives, such as fireworks, flares, toy gun caps;
• gases, such as culinary blowtorches, camping or compressed gas cylinders, tear gas, mace or CS gas devices;
• flammable materials such as petrol, lighter fuel, paint, thinners, non-safety matches, firelighters;
• poisons, such as weed killers, insecticides; and · corrosives, such as filled car batteries.

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.

If you live in the vicinity of Blackpool Airport get your eye masks and earplugs at the ready as the airport has announced it is to carryout some essential maintenance work during June 2010.

• 7 – 11 June – maintenance on the helicopter landing zone may result in noise between 08:30 and 17:30 affecting Squires Gate Lane properties
• 11 June – work on the fire station forecourt may be noisy between 2030 and 0600 affecting Squires Gate Lane, Westgate Road and Leach Lane properties
• 14 – 19 June – main runway works will require the use of airfield lighting columns to illuminate the working areas, and some noise disturbance may affect Leach Lane and Westgate Road properties

To search for and book Blackpool hotels click on the link.

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.

Due to a volcanic ash cloud, NATS has advised that a no-fly zone is in place in the West of Scotland, some airports in the Western Isles, and Northern Ireland until at least 13:00.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has also imposed restrictions on all flights operating into and out of Ireland until 13.00 on Tuesday 4th May.

Following the lifting of airspace restrictions over UK airspace at 10pm on Tuesday, Manx2.com recommenced full operations at 07:20 yesterday with its scheduled Blackpool departure.

Since the restrictions on flying over much of the UK were imposed last Thursday, Manx2.com has maintained the Island’s essential airlinks flying a total of 77 flights between the Isle of Man and the two adjacent Islands, with at least two flights a day to Belfast and a high frequency shuttle service to Blackpool.

The UK CAA has imposed new restrictions on operating into potential ash cloud areas but Chairman of Manx2.com, Noel Hayes, explains that Manx2.com is already meeting the new CAA requirements.

He said: “When the shutters came down on Sunday and prevented all flying from the Isle of Man, we realised we had to do something to keep lifeline airlinks open for the Island. So, in consultation with Brian Johnson and Hartley Elder at the IOM CAA, we put in place a protocol to enable low level flights to continue safely. This involved us conducting detailed risk assessments before flight, an enhanced maintenance and check programme on our aircraft and a strict reporting procedure. I’m reassured that nearly 72 hours after we implemented this procedure at Manx2.com.com, the UK CAA has required all UK airlines to do the same.

“I’m also pleased to report that having conducted 77 flights since the ash threat started, our detailed checks and examinations, including borescope engine inspections, have shown no evidence of any low-level ash contamination in our operational area around the Island. We will be passing all our findings to NATS and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre to help their future analysis of the situation.

“I’d like to particularly thank our airport partners at Ronaldsway, Blackpool and Belfast who remained open for our flights over the last five days, the IOM CAA for their 24/7 help and advice and my team at Manx2.com, who have been working incredibly hard to maintain connectivity with England and Ireland. I’m sure over the coming months many lessons will be learnt from the enormous disruption of the last five days. I hope that amongst that analysis, the Isle of Man Government will stop and reassess whether its ‘open skies’ competition policy is the best way to protect its lifeline airlinks to deal with such occurrences in the future.”

To book Belfast airport parking and Belfast hotels click on the links.

Jet2.com has temporarily suspended online check-in until 1 May 2010 for all UK bound flights.

Any passengers who have already checked-in online, will need to go to the check-in desk at the airport to receive new boarding cards.

All passengers who have not yet checked-in online shouldn’t, instead they need to check-in at the airport.

NATS is advising that the restrictions on UK controlled airspace will remain in place until 07:00 tomorrow, 20 April 2010.

However, based on current ash levels, and no further ‘significant ash emissions’, NATS is predicting that from 07:00 20 April, Scottish airspace and South to a line between Teesside and Blackpool will reopen.

A further announcement is expected at 21:00 today.

Manx2.com has announced it is to operate flights to Blackpool and Belfast from 13:00 hours today.

Due to the size of their planes Manx2.com planes are able to fly at much lower altitudes .

To book Belfast airport parking and Belfast hotels click on the links.

Due to the volcanic ash cloud UK controlled airspace is to remain closed until at least 01:00 hours on Tuesday 20 April (local time).

The next update on restrictions is expected around 15:00 hours today.