Aer Arann and Aer Lingus have announced that agreement has been reached to establish a franchise arrangement between the two airlines.

Under this franchise agreement Aer Arann will operate 12 routes from Dublin and Cork. The routes will include current Aer Lingus and Aer Arann routes as well as 3 new routes.

The Blackpool service will operate daily with an increase in capacity using the modern 72-seat ATR72-500 aircraft. The daily service will provide connections to Aer Lingus services to New York.

All of the franchise services will be branded as “Aer Lingus Regional” and operated using Aer Arann ATR 72-500 aircraft and crew.

Welcoming the new agreement Aer Lingus Chief Executive Mr. Christoph Mueller said “This franchise agreement is good news for all stakeholders in Aer Lingus as it will allow us to serve key regional destinations, linking them with our Dublin transatlantic network as well as offering our business and leisure customers improved schedule and frequency options.”

Aer Arann Chief Executive Mr. Paul Schütz also welcomed the agreement calling it an “a major development for Irish aviation and the tourism industry. The combined strengths of both airlines, including brand power and market presence, will allow us to offer a quality customer product that meets the capacity requirements of existing and new destinations including Blackpool.

Aer Arann is a leading regional airline and in addition to operating routes for Aer Lingus Regional the airline will continue to operate under its own Aer Arann brand on routes within Ireland, from Ireland to the UK and France and from the Isle of Man to London and Paris.

Paul Rankin, Blackpool International’s Airport Director commented: “This is fantastic news for our passengers from across Lancashire & the Lake District. The new franchise agreement between Aer Arann and Aer Lingus will mean an increase in the number of seats available and passengers will be able to link into the Aer Lingus Dublin transatlantic network – effectively from February, customers will be able to book straight through from Blackpool International to JFK New York!”

Paul added: “From 28th March, the route will be branded ‘Aer Lingus Regional’ and flights to Dublin are on sale from today, with flights linking on to the States available from February 2010 at www.aerlingus.com.”

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

Disruption is expected to flights to and from Ireland today due to industrial action by air traffic controllers in Ireland.

Affected airports are Dublin and Shannon, which will see industrial action between the hours of 14:00 and 18:00, and Cork Airport where industrial action is expected to take place between the hours of 16:00 and 18:00.

Ryanair has cancelled 52 flights due to the industrial action – check here for details of cancellations

To check the status of your Aer Lingus flight click here

For Aer Arann disruptions click here

Snow is causing disruption to flights and there are several cancellations today. The below list is not comprehensive list but does offer information on some cancelled flights.

• Eastern Airways – details of cancelled flights can be found here http://www.easternairways.com/latest-news/weather-disruption-6-january-2010.html
• Flybe – details of snow affected flight cancellations can be found here http://www.flybe.com/news/1001/13.htm
• Ryanair flight cancellations here http://www.ryanair.com/en/notices/gops/100105-SNOW_UK_05JAN10-GB
• British Airways – some cancellations – check the status of your flight here http://www.britishairways.com/travel/arrdep/public/en_gb
• easyJet – check your flight status here http://holidays.easyjet.com/FlightCheck/flightdepartures.aspx?lang=en
• Virgin Atlantic – a couple of flight cancellations check here http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/latestnews/index.jsp

Gatwick bound BA flight de-iced at Stansted

What a nightmare for air travellers it has been recently. The snow has caused total chaos and the uncertainty of not knowing whether you could get to the airport, and once there, would you plane be able to take off, has been really stressful.

I know from the emails I have received, and the comments made on this blog, that passengers have also been hampered by the lack of information coming from some airports and some airlines.

Passengers making their way home to Britain also faced problems not knowing if their flights would land at their intended destination. There were quite a few diversions last week, even Glasgow Prestwick Airport took in 24 diversions from flights destined for Heathrow, Gatwick, Dublin, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.

The photo above shows a British Airways 747 being de-iced at Stansted on Friday. Bad weather forced the Gatwick bound jet to divert into Stansted after its long haul flight from Lagos, Nigeria.

Flight update

Although flights do appear to be getting back to normal, with the threat of more snow looming, we could still see more problems ahead. Anyone concerned about the status of their flight is advised to contact their airline and to monitor the flight departures boards on their airport website.

Stories and suggestions

If you have any stories about your travel experiences in the recent bad weather, or have any suggestions (polite ones!) that could help improve communications from the airports and airlines I love to hear them. Feel free to add them in the comments below or email me, thanks, Paula.

Due to the snow there have been several flight cancellations today. The following airlines have published details of their cancelled flights:

Eastern Airways check here for details http://www.easternairways.com/latest-news/weather-disruption-6-january-2010.html

easyJet flight cancellations can been seen here http://easyjet.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/easyjet.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3708

Ryanair flight cancellations are available here http://www.ryanair.com/en/notices/gops/100105-SNOW_UK_05JAN10-GB

British Airways – to check the status of your flight click here http://www.britishairways.com/travel/globalgateway.jsp/global/public/en_

For more information on flight status and lists of cancelled flights check the following links:

British Airways – check flight status here

Flybe cancellations listed here:

Eastern Airways cancellations check here

Virgin Atlantic check flight status here

easyJet cancellations check here

Ryanair – a list of cancelled flights can be found here

It looks like today could be a better day for air travellers as it seems that currently all the major UK airports are open, however, it would appear that Guernsey airport is closed.

Heathrow Airport is operational although it is advising passengers that there could be some knock-on effects of the bad weather which could result is some delays or cancellations today and passengers should check the status of their flight before setting out. For Heathrow airline contact details check here.

There are some flight cancellations already reported today. For further details check the following sites:

Guernsey Airport flight departures click here

Eastern Airways cancellation details click here

easyJet cancellations click here

To book Heathrow meet and greet parking and a Heathrow airport hotels click on the links.

The snow is affecting operations at several UK airports. Currently, the following airports have suspended flights:

• Blackpool – the BBC has just reported that the airport has closed
• Bristol – closed until 12:00
• Cardiff – closed until 1000
• Exeter
• Gatwick
• Plymouth
• Robin Hood

Blackpool International has announced a major new appointment – Mr Paul Rankin as Airport Director.

Mr Rankin has over 25 years experience in the aviation industry, most recently as General Manager, Airside Operations and Security at Bristol Airport. During his time at Bristol, Paul was instrumental in overseeing investment programmes for upgrading and expanding the airport facilities including runway, terminal and car parking.

With the announcement of his appointment, Paul commented: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead Blackpool International forward into 2010 and beyond. Whilst we are all aware of the challenging economic climate, especially for the aviation sector, the airport’s efforts will remain focused on development and growth and continuing to provide a great passenger experience for those visiting us from across Lancashire and the Lake District.

“I am looking forward to strengthening relationships with the airport’s key customers and stakeholders and working with the team at Blackpool International. With their support and assistance, I am certain that the future of the airport will be a prosperous one.”

A spokesperson for Blackpool International said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to his new role as Airport Director and have every confidence that he will play a key role in taking the airport forward during what we all know is an extremely challenging but exciting time.

“Under Paul’s leadership, we feel sure that Blackpool International will go from strength to strength and continue on to become the airport of choice for Lancashire and the Lake District.”

Paul will take up his new position on 4th January 2010.

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

The sky is no limit for Lancashire businesses as they could be on the verge of earning their own wings with a local shareholder scheme for a new Blackpool to London airline.

Swedish company ‘Wings of Europe‘ will tomorrow visit Lancashire to discuss opportunities with the local business community interested in connecting the region with the capital and establishing an airline which will serve the business and leisure communities.

The concept of ‘local shareholder ownership’ which has been successfully developed by Wings of Europe in Sweden and Denmark with the support of local businesses and individuals, will look to introduce a new Blackpool to London route and provide exciting opportunities for additional routes to be added.

The focus of the visit by Wings of Europe’s Managing Director, Daniel Langsten will be to discuss how the local business community in Lancashire can invest in and develop its own low fare airline to restore a direct link to London for the benefit of enterprise and residents of Lancashire.

Daniel says: “Lancashire has many similarities with the regions where we have previously assisted in the establishment of local airlines. It is time consuming and expensive to get to the capital. However, there is significant tourism demand and a strong local business community which needs fast, efficient and inexpensive connections to London. The London route is essential to ensure a strong development of local business and a greater quality of life for the residents of the region.

“We are seeking a number of local shareholders who want to support this initiative. The condition for establishment is also that the local business community supports the local airline in its start up by signing up for travel commitments. Only with a strong local support can this be successfully executed.

“A local regional low fares airline will not only significantly contribute to facilitating connectivity to the region by offering low fares, high frequencies and good service on the route to London, it can also create new destinations.”

Sue Kendrick, customer relations and communications manager of Blackpool International Airport, said: “Blackpool International welcomes any initiatives that can enhance the airport’s offer in terms of connectivity with London and potential new routes. This is an innovative proposition for Lancashire and has a proven track record of success in other European regions in stimulating both business and leisure interests.”

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