The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a new price comparison tool to enable travellers to see a summary of optional charges levied by the top airlines in the UK.

The tool details information of costs of hold luggage, in flight meal charges, seat reservation and other optional airline fees.

Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of the CAA said: “The diversity of UK aviation offers excellent choice and value to UK consumers with airlines adopting various business models. To really benefit from that choice consumers want to know the full price picture. For some passengers and airlines the headline ticket price will be the most expensive part of the booking, whilst for others the impact of optional fees and charges can change their view of the best overall price.

“Our table allows passengers to easily compare the optional fees that airlines charge and it’s important to consider those charges alongside the ticket price and the extra charges that could be applied before making their booking.”

To view the fees and charges comparison table click here: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/2200/Comparing_airline_charges_1st_Feb_2012_.pdf

The CAA plans to update the charges table on a quarterly basis.

Jet2.com is celebrating after being crowned Best Short Haul Airline at the coveted Globe Travel Awards 2012.

The annual Globe Travel Awards are regarded as the pinnacle of the travel industry calendar with travel agents and industry professionals nominating and voting for the most deserving travel companies across eight different categories. The cream of the British travel industry gathered at Grosvenor House hotel in London for the ceremony where Jet2.com proudly beat bmi, British Airways, easyJet, Iberia and Lufthansa to win the Short Haul Airline category.

Steve Heapy, Chief Commercial Officer of Jet2.com, said: “We are delighted to be named Best Short Haul Airline at the Globe Travel Awards beating the likes of British Airways and easyJet. This award follows a string of other award wins in recent months, making this a real highlight for us and a great start to the New Year. This industry recognition is also a fantastic testament to the on-going commitment of Jet2.com staff who make it possible for passengers to travel to some of Europe’s finest destinations.

“The secret to our continued success is the fact that we take real pride in listening and responding to our customer needs. We know that with stretched finances, customers want good value for money now more than ever. Our great value flights offer allocated seating, a generous 22kg baggage allowance and a friendly service which is why our loyal customers come back time and again.”

This is the latest in a flurry of awards received by Jet2.com which scooped best airline for Mainland Spain and Balearics, as well as the Canaries following a short-haul airline satisfaction survey by Which? magazine. It’s also recently picked up Best Low-Cost Airline in the Scottish Passenger Agents Association Awards and was voted runner up in the Best Short Haul Airline category of The Telegraph Travel Awards. Sister company and package holiday expert, Jet2holidays has also had its share of the glory in recent months after being named Best Tour Operator to the Iberian Peninsular and Canary Islands at the British Travel Awards.

Jet2.com is celebrating after being named the best airline for three European hot spots by Which? members.

The Which? Travel short-haul airline satisfaction survey, for the January edition of the magazine, revealed that Jet2.com has scooped best airline for Mainland Spain and Balearics, as well as Portugal and the Canaries, beating competition from some of the main airlines including easyJet, Ryanair and Monarch.

Ian Doubtfire, Managing Director of Jet2.com, said: “Naturally we are delighted with these accolades which reinforce our commitment to providing exceptional service and good value for money. Which? members also named Spain the most visited country so we’re especially pleased to be getting our service, on our numerous Spanish routes, so right.

“It’s great to receive this feedback which is hot on the heels of our recent success at The British Travel Awards where we were named Winner of Best Tour Operator to the Iberian Peninsula & Islands. We continue to enhance our service and travel products to ensure we remain the airline of choice for these and other destinations.”

Ryanair has announced it will add six new destinations from East Midlands Airport next summer.

The new flights will operate to Almeria, Barcelona, Chania (Crete), Corfu, Rhodes and Zadar (Croatia) and bring the total number of Ryanair destinations from East Midlands for summer 2012 to 36.

The war of words over border control strike action continues in the press and it is unknown how badly affected airport passengers are going to be by the action – reports vary from minor disruption to significant.

Border control will be affected from the evening of Tuesday 29 November until midnight on Wednesday 30 November – strike action start times will depend on shift patterns.

Any delays will affect passengers arriving into the UK that need to pass through passport control – outgoing flights should not be affected.

Tips to help avoid delays:

• Use e-Passport gates where available
• Have travel documents, including passports, ready
• Fully complete landing cards
• Stay in family groups.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has said that it has robust arrangements in place to maintain the security of the border and that it has

• trained managers, staff and contractors to carry out border checks
• requested overseas staff to provide cover
• asked airlines and ports to identify potential pressure points.

Rob Whiteman, chief executive of the UK Border Agency, said: ‘Securing the border is our priority and over the last weeks and months we have considered all options to ensure we are prepared for union action.

‘We always aim to minimise any disruption caused by the decision of unions to strike, but travellers could see longer waiting times at some ports and airports.’

For up-to-date UKBA information visit  http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Jet2.com and sister company Jet2holidays are celebrating with a trio of wins at two of the top award ceremonies in the travel industry calendar.

Jet2holidays led the awards haul after being voted Best Tour Operator to the Iberian Peninsula and Islands at the prestigious British Travel Awards – the largest survey of public opinion on UK travel industry performance and the most anticipated awards in the travel industry calendar. The accolade recognises the package holiday specialists’ position as the leading British tour operator to that region.

Jet2holidays was also named Best Mainstream Short Haul Operator at the 19th Annual Travel Awards of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association, where Jet2.com was declared Best Low Cost Airline and runner up in the Best European Airline category. Voted for by Scottish travel agents, the airline and package holiday specialist beat off tough competition from rival travel companies to win the coveted accolades at the biggest event in the Scottish travel calendar.

Jet2 received further national praise from readers of The Telegraph newspaper in its annual travel awards. The airline was unveiled as runner up in the Favourite Short-Haul Airline category, second only to British Airways.

Steve Heapy, Managing Director of Jet2holidays and Chief Commercial Officer of Jet2.com, said: “This latest flurry of awards is a reflection of our continued dedication to providing the best possible service to our customers who clearly enjoy our growing list of city, sun and ski destinations. The recognition from both customers and agents is hugely important to us and is a clear indication that we are getting it right across the board.”

“Our friendly flight times from eight regional bases and generous 22kg baggage allowance as well as our ATOL protected holiday packages to suit all tastes and budgets are what set us apart from our competitors and help to keep us the airline and tour operator of choice for our loyal customers.”

For the year to date, London Oxford Airport increased the number of average daily business aviation departures by 12.2%, year-on-year up to September 2011 according to the latest statistics released by Eurocontrol.

In the Eurocontrol report, London Oxford Airport ranks fifth in the UK with an average 7.8 daily business aviation departures, up from an average 6.9 last year, which represents a growth of 12.2% over the past year.  Ahead of Oxford were London Luton (34.2 daily departures) Farnborough Airport (27.5) Biggin Hill (14.5) and London City Airport (8.9).  A marked slide by London Stansted positioned it in 8th place behind East Midlands and Bournemouth airports.

UK Business Aviation Activity – Year to Date to September 2011
Top 10 UK airports* ranked by Average Daily Business Aviation Departures

1. London Luton
2. Farnborough
3. Biggin Hill
4. London City
5. London Oxford
6. East Midlands
7. Bournemouth
8. London Stansted
9. Edinburgh
10. Manchester

* UK mainland airports excluding MOD (Military) airports

“This buoyant business is great news, demonstrating the attraction of our airport to business and VIP travellers.  August was surprisingly busy for a holiday month, total GA movements increased by 49% compared with last August.   We hope this trend continues for some time as business aviation sees a welcome increase in activity,” said James Dillon-Godfray, Business Development Director at London Oxford Airport.

If you’re travelling to East Midlands Airport this weekend, be aware that the British Superbike Championship is taking place from 9 to 11 September at Donington Park.

A traffic management system will be in place on Saturday and Sunday as follows:

Both days:

At the junction of the A453 and Castle Donington Road (Hilltop) – there will be no right turn for traffic travelling from Castle Donington.

Sunday 11 September 2011

Melbourne Lane

At the end of racing (approx 2:30pm – 7:30pm), a one-way, eastbound road system will be in place from the junction of Slade Lane to the A453 Walton Hill.

Westbound traffic will be diverted along the A453 to Breedon then left to Wilson to rejoin Melbourne Lane.

According to local reports, the South Derbyshire District Council has deemed that the current noise levels of East Midlands Airport should be capped at the existing levels.

The controversial noise levels of the airport have in the past been criticised, when back in 1996 levels reached 57 decibels, of which residents and council members deemed as ‘unacceptable’. There are now fears by Council members that unless the current levels are capped there is every chance that noise levels will increase back up by 2016, as the air traffic is expected to grow at the airport over the next four years.

In a recent Council report, Planning Officer, Richard Groves said “the airport’s noise footprint should be limited to its current size.”

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.