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.

Cardiff Airport has been shortlisted for the Airport of the Year title in the Travel Trade Gazette Travel Awards to be held later in the year.

Entries for the prestigious award are rated by travel agents and then judged by a panel of industry experts including leading travel companies and trade bodies such as Thomas Cook, Sandals and the Institute of Travel and Tourism, as well as leading figures from the worlds of commerce and retail.

This year’s winners will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on 23 September.

To search for and book Cardiff airport parking and Cardiff airport hotels click on the links.

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.

Pay, or don’t pay that’s the choice facing passengers being dropped off or picked up at Cardiff Airport.

From today, Monday, 5 July 2010 , passengers have the option of paying a £1 fee for Cardiff’s new Priority drop & go and Priority pick up areas, or using the free-of-charge drop off and pick up area in the Long Stay 1 car park (formerly the Long Stay 2 car park), just a short distance from the terminal building.

The changes to pick up and drop off have been introduced following the completion of the construction work on the new layout outside Cardiff’s terminal building.

For drivers dropping and picking up passengers new signage is in place on all approach roads and within the airport site leading to the new parking facilities and providing information on the new drop off and pick up options.

Charges:

Priority drop and go
£1 for 10 minutes
For disabled blue badge holders £1 for 20 minutes

Free drop off
The first 20 minutes will be free of charge – usual parking rates apply thereafter.

Priority pick up area
£1 for 20 minutes in the short stay car park, located close to the terminal building. After 20 minutes parking will be charged at the standard tariff.

To search for and book Cardiff airport parking and Cardiff airport hotels click on the links.

Manx2.com has launched a new Welsh language version of its website in a bid to make it easier for its Welsh speaking customers to book.

The Company, which is based in the Isle of Man, has also introduced lower £29 fares on selected off peak flights from September onwards, which can be accessed simply through the Company’s low fare finder, which shows the lowest fares available in an easy “month at a glance” format.

Chairman Noel Hayes said: “We are delighted with customer response to the launch of our Anglesey and Cardiff service. Passenger numbers have been in excess of our expectations and we have rapidly established our reputation for reliability, punctuality and customer service in the local market.

“Many passengers have told us what a difference the air route has made to their travel and business plans and we are delighted to be part of connecting the community. We hope the launch of our Welsh language website and the introduction of £29 fares on some flights will further enhance the success of this vital air-route.”

To search for and book Cardiff airport parking and Cardiff airport hotels click on the links.

Flybe has confirmed it is the first airline in the UK to be able to fly within the new Time Limited Zone.

Under the new regulations the airline will be able to fly through denser volcanic ash than previously approved – 0.004 grams per cubic metre compared with 0.002 grams per cubic metre.

Commenting on the news Flybe’s Chief Executive, Jim French said: “The CAA called upon the industry to bring forward thoroughly researched proposals to safely improve the ability to fly in the vicinity of low level volcanic ash concentrations.

Flybe worked closely with the Met Office, Bombardier and Pratt & Whitney Canada to develop the proposals which have today been endorsed by the CAA. Flybe’s overriding concern is always safety, and these new rules arise from a proven process of safety management within the company and the industry which helps make air travel the safest form of public transport.

The application of these new rules in the last 48 hours would have reduced our levels of cancellation from 380 flights to 21, or put another way, only 3% of our programme would have been affected. This level of cancellation would be more akin to a weather event and therefore much more bearable for customers and the industry.”

For Manchester airport hotels or to compare and book Manchester airport parking using an online instant airport parking price checker 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.

The ash cloud is back causing disruption to more flights today. Following the closure of many UK airports over the weekend, the cloud is now affecting airports in Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland, Wales and South West England.

A no-fly zone has been imposed by the CAA for airports in these areas until at least 13:00 hours today.

Airports within the no-fly zones include all those in Northern Ireland, Ronaldsway, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Northern Scotland, Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol and Farnborough. Southampton is also closed with flights not expected to start until at least 13:00.

Passengers are advised to contact their airline to check the status of their flights.

Manx2.com has successfully launched its new twice daily flights between Cardiff and Anglesey. The contract was awarded to the Manx airline by the Welsh Assembly Government after Highland Airways, which operated the Welsh service, went in to administration in March.

The service commenced yesterday (Monday) and to mark the event Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economy and Transport Ieuan Wyn Jones unveiled a Welsh Dragon logo on the nose of the Manx2 aircraft that will be operating the route.

Deputy First Minister Leuan Wyn Jones said: “I am pleased to announce that Manx2 will be running the north – south air link. This is a vital service which helps to secure economic, social and political cohesion in Wales, as well as supporting economic development in north-west Wales.

“Manx2 is an established operator with a proven track record, who already has experience of operating the service from those occasions when Highland Airways had operational difficulties. The Assembly Government is committed to maintaining this vital service and we look forward to working with Manx2 to build on its success.”

Chairman Noel Hayes commented: “As a Celtic neighbour, Manx2.com is delighted to be taking our award-winning Manx service and our record of reliability and punctuality to this essential community route. Plus with our Manx hospitality, branding, and in-flight magazines we hope to spread the word that the Isle of Man is a great place to visit and do business.”

The news of this launch is the second announcement Manx2.com has made in a matter of weeks regarding its expansion plans outside of the Isle of Man. The Company recently introduced flights between Cork and Galway in Ireland. The growth plans are seen as a huge boost for business, tourism and leisure throughout the Celtic countries.

Services will leave Cardiff Airport every morning at 0730, returning from Anglesey Valley at 0855 and arriving into Cardiff at 1000. Monday to Thursday afternoon flights leave Cardiff at 1615, returning at 1740. Friday afternoon services will run an hour earlier, departing 1515 and returning at 1640.

To search for and book Cardiff airport parking and Cardiff airport hotels click on the links.

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.