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.

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.

British Airways has announced it is to increase its flight schedules for the second period of strike action that is scheduled to take place from 27 – 30 March.

Gatwick
The airline now plans to run a full service from Gatwick using its own aircraft.

Heathrow
BA aims to operate up to 55 % of its shorthaul and 70% of its longhaul flights. BA will be hiring in up to 11 aircraft each day with their own pilots and cabin crew to supplement services

London City Airport
Flights to and from London City Airport will be unaffected by strike action

Subsidiary, franchise, alliance and codeshare flights
All flights operated by subsidiary, franchise, alliance and codeshare partners will operate.

For more information on BA’s flight schedule and to check the status of your flight go to www.britishairways.com/travel/strike-ballot/public/en_gb?refevent=HOME_URGENT_CENTRE

Edinburgh Airport passengers will once again be able to fly to Barcelona after Spanair announced it is to launch a new service in May.

Flights between Edinburgh and Barcelona ceased with the collapse of Flyglobespan last year, however, Spanair has now stepped in to resume the service and increase frequency on the previous service.

Edinburgh flights to Barcelona will commence on 21 May 2010 and operate five times per week – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

British Airways has published contingency plans which will enable it to operate around 60% of its flights should the planed strike action of 20, 21, 22 March go ahead.

Announced details for the first period of strike action:

Gatwick
The airline plans to operate all long-haul flights to and from Gatwick and more than 50% of its Gatwick short-haul flights.

London City Airport
All flights operating to and from London City Airport will be unaffected by any strike action.

Heathrow
The airline expects to operate more than 60% of its long-haul flights to and from the airport and some of its short-haul flights – around 30% will operate by the airline supplemented by the leasing of aircraft and crew from other airlines.

For up-to-date information on BA’s plans, BA’s customer helpline and rebooking advice check out the following link: www.britishairways.com/travel/strike-ballot-faq/public/en_gb

Following prolonged discussions between the Unite Union, which represents most of BA’s cabin crew, and British Airways the union has announced it intends to strike on the following dates:

20, 21 and 22 March 2010
27, 28, 29 and 30 March 2010

In response to the announcement, British Airways has stated that it “will do everything we can to protect our customers’ travel plans as far as possible” in the event that the union representing its flight attendants goes ahead with strikes it has called for. The airline plans to operate a range of services and not all its flights will be cancelled.

Flights operated by British Airway’s franchise, codeshare or alliance partners are unaffected.

An announcement of flight schedules during the industrial action is expected shortly, in the meantime further information of the current situation can be found here: www.britishairways.com/travel/strike-ballot/public/en_gb

The airline has stopped selling tickets on all flights operating during the proposed strike dates.

Work has started on the upgrading and improvement of the forecourt at Edinburgh Airport.

The £3 million project, which is expected to continue until mid June, will see the installation of steel coated concrete bollards to replace the existing concrete blocks and the resurfacing of the bus lane.

During the work, no traffic will be permitted to stop in front of the terminal – all public bus services will temporarily stop at the coach park next to the main terminal and the coach park will temporarily be relocated.

To compare Edinburgh Airport parking and to book your airport parking online click on the link.

Varsity Express has announced the suspension of their Oxford to Edinburgh flights just a week after the service started.

The company cites ‘operational issues between Varsity Air Services Ltd and the airline and AOC holder who have been contracted to operate the Jetstream 31 type on our behalf and that was being used on the route.’

Future ticket sales have been suspended and passengers with existing bookings are being informed of the suspension.

For more information contact Varsity Express on 0871 644 0450.

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

related post:

www.airportsinformationblog.co.uk/edinburgh-airport/varsity-express-adds-second-daily-oxford-edinburgh-service/

The UK Border Agency is warning that travellers passing through UK ports could face possible delays and disruption due to strike action by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

The strike action is taking place on Monday 8 March and Tuesday 9 March.

Lin Homer, the Border Agency’s Chief Executive, said: ‘We are disappointed that PCS members have voted in favour of industrial action. It means that the travelling public are likely to suffer disruption and delays at border control as a result of this two-day action.

‘We have robust plans in place to ensure that the essential work of the UK Border Agency is maintained and the border remains secure. UK border security will not be compromised by this industrial action.

‘We expect that people travelling into the country may experience some delays at border control, but we will work hard to keep these to a minimum and hope that passengers will welcome the commitment of those staff who will be working despite the strike action to ensure they are seen as quickly as possible.

BAA is advising passengers to have their travel documents, including passports, ready and to use automatic e-passport gates where available.

bmi, British Midland International, has announced a new codeshare with sister airline SWISS. Under the agreement, bmi will codeshare with SWISS on all UK to Switzerland routes including Zurich, Geneva and Basel.

The new codeshare with SWISS is effective immediately for travel from 3 March 2010 and will allow bmi to offer fares between Zurich, Geneva and Basel from London Heathrow, London City airport, Manchester, Birmingham International and Edinburgh airport and improve connections between Switzerland and the wider bmi network.

The developing partnership will offer even greater flexibility to customers of both carriers and in particular will connect Scottish and Northern England passengers to SWISS’ network of 76 destinations worldwide (via Switzerland).