Ryanair has announced it is withdrawing from Belfast City Airport at the end of its summer season, 31 October 2010.

The airline is blaming the delays in the promised runway extension for its decision – the runway extension was due in 2008, however, a public enquiry means that the extension will not be completed until 2012 at the earliest.

Ryanair currently operates five routes from Belfast City Airport: Bristol, East Midland, Glasgow Prestwick, Liverpool and London Stansted.

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.

Ryanair has announced its peak-season baggage charges are to return to €15 per bag and €25 for heavy bags for travel from 1 September, however, passengers travelling on international routes to and from the Canary Islands will still have to pay the peak-season charges – €20 per bag and €30 heavy bag – these higher charges will apply all year round.

The airline introduced higher baggage charges for flights during July and August this year with the ’sweetner’ of allowing passengers to check in two bags, subject to charges, of course.

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.

Ryanair has announced it is to launch a second service to Norway from Liverpool John Lennon Airport this November.

The new Liverpool flights will operate twice weekly to Oslo Rygge – the airline’s 45 destination from Liverpool.

Flights will commence on 5 November 2010.

easyJet has announced it is to introduce another new service from Liverpool Airport, this time to Lyon in France.

The new Liverpool flights will start on 18 December 2010 and operate twice a week – Saturdays and Sundays.

This latest announcement brings the number of easyJet routes offered from Liverpool airport to 28 with further announcements expected.

Vancouver Airport Services announced today that it has reached agreement with The Peel Group to acquire a 65 per cent share in Peel Airports Limited which includes key airport assets of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield and Durham Tees Valley Airport.

The Peel Group will retain a 35 per cent investment in Peel Airports Limited and a presence on the board.

George Casey, President and CEO of Vancouver Airport Services said, “Vancouver Airport Services has a strong track record of investing in and providing value-added management services for airports around the world,”

“We look forward to working with The Peel Group and the stakeholders involved in these airports.”

Peel Group Chairman John Whittaker added, “We are delighted to move forward and partner with Vancouver Airport Services. Its network of international airports and expertise as a leading airport specialist will further increase the success of these growing regional airport businesses.”

Craig Richmond, newly appointed CEO of Peel Airports Limited, further added “This investment will result in further success for the airport and the communities and region it serves. An impressive foundation has already been established and together we can now move forward. I am excited to join this community and to work with everyone involved to create long-term value for the airport and the North West.”

Vancouver Airport Services is a leading global airport investment, management and development company jointly owned by Vancouver Airport Authority and Citi Infrastructure Investors. With this investment, Vancouver Airport Services operates and/or invests in a global portfolio of 19 airports.

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

Peel Airports has announced that Mark Whitworth is stepping down from his role as Peel Airports CEO with immediate effect. Mark will assist new shareholders Vancouver Airport Services, to affect a managed transition for a period of up to 3 months, in an advisory capacity.

Peel Group Chairman John Whittaker said, “I would like to congratulate and thank Mark on behalf of Peel for delivering the planned strategy for Peel Airports and wish Mark every success in his next career challenge”.

Ryanair has announced it is to offer passengers the option of increased baggage allowances this summer.

The new allowances mean passengers can each check in up to two bags per trip and also have the option of paying for an increased weight allowance on their first checked-in bag – from 15kg to 20kg.

As with any Ryanair ‘extra’ you’ll have to pay for the privilege, and prices depend on time of travel – see below for online prices:

1st bag
standard 15kg allowance: €15/£15, or €20/£20 during peak season of July and August
increased 20kg allowance: €25/£25, or €30/£30 during July and August

2nd bag
15kg maximum allowance for the second bag: €35/£35, or €40/£40 during July and August

Business leaders from across the region have gathered together to sign a pledge to support Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) following the launch of the Airport’s ‘Fly Local’ campaign.

The pledge will see businesses that frequently travel as part of their everyday operations look into their current requirements to see if there are opportunities for them to ‘Fly Local’ from JLA.

Staff from Peel Airports were joined by senior representatives from KLM and Eastern Airways who talked to guests about their successful operations from the Airport and the benefits their services provide for the region’s business passengers.

There are more opportunities than ever before for the business community to use services from Liverpool, following the addition of flights to a range of key European and domestic destinations over the past year, including KLM’s flights linking with hundreds of long haul connections via their hub at Amsterdam Schiphol and Eastern Airways’ domestic links to Southampton and Aberdeen.

Nick Smillie, Aviation Sales Director for Peel Airports said: “Support from the local business community is essential. Successful routes will enable the Airport to make the case for additional business-friendly services.

“A key component of the ‘Fly Local’ campaign will be the Business Travel Pledge, through which local companies will pledge their support for the Airport’s services, in return for a range of incentives, and the promise of additional services in future.

“We are delighted that organisations such as Liverpool Vision and Bosch Communications, have agreed to be the first to look at not just how they can buy local but now how they can fly local.”

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