British Airways is to launch three new destinations from London City Airport this summer.

On 25 May, the airline will launch flights to Mahon in Menorca, and in May, BA will launch two new French routes to Angers in the Loire Valley and Quimper in Brittany.

The addition of the new routes means British Airways will offer a total of 21 destinations in the UK, Europe and the USA from London City Airport.

Luke Hayhoe, general manager commercial said: “We are very excited about the new routes which are completely new destinations for London City Airport.

“We’re sure that these new routes coupled with British Airways’ all inclusive fares and London City’s unique 20 minute check-in will be a hit this summer.”

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.

London City Airport is celebrating after witnessing a 7.6% increase in passenger numbers in 2011 when compared to 2010.

Figures just released show that more than three million passengers passed through the airport last year.

London City Airport Chief Executive, Richard Gooding, said: “It’s encouraging to see increasing passenger movements in what has undoubtedly been a challenging period for the travel industry.

“We have invested over £7m in the terminal over the past year, extending the Central Search area, as well as other improvements, to ensure that the airport continues to deliver the time saving proposition promised, even with an increased number of passengers.

“We expect passenger figures to remain strong ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer and look forward to welcoming visitors to the capital from across the globe.”

Jean and Jim Laird became ‘millionaires’ for a day at London City Airport where they had double reason to celebrate with British Airways yesterday (December 19).

For the couple were the one millionth passengers to fly with British Airways on its European and domestic services from the Docklands Airport.

Jean and Jim, from Falkirk, had spent the weekend in London celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary with dinner at The Dorchester and a carol concert at The Royal Albert Hall.

As they checked-in for their flight home to Edinburgh their celebrations continued when they were told what special passengers they were.

John Scarff, British Airways ground services manager, gave them a tickertape welcome and presented them with champagne and a pair of Club Europe tickets to anywhere in Europe with British Airways from London City Airport with connecting flights from Edinburgh.

John said: “This is a big milestone for us and we are delighted to share it with Jean and Jim. We’re incredibly proud of our operation at London City, with our new Embraer aircraft, 15 minute check in and great customer service. We look forward to looking after our next million customers.”

British Airways resumed flights to the popular winter ski destination of Chambery from London City Airport last Friday, December 16.

The seasonal service to Chambery, the gateway to the French Alps, will operate four times a week until the end of March 2011, on an Embraer 190 aircraft.

BA also offers skiiers the option of flights to Geneva from London City Airport.

Luke Hayhoe, general manager commercial said: “With the fresh falls of snow in Europe people are keen to get to the slopes and these services give them access to some of the best 120 ski resorts in the French and Swiss Alps.”

To help passengers avoid the queues during Wednesday’s border agency strike, some airlines are offering passengers the option of rebooking flights free of charge. Passengers should contact their airlines for further information about rebooking.

Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand has stated on its website that passengers ticketed to travel on NZ2 29Nov from AKL or LAX to LHR who wish to change their date of travel may do so by either bringing forward or deferring to another date prior to and including Monday 5 December 2011.

British Airways
Passengers arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick or London City airports on Wednesday 30 November have the option to change their arrival date, subject to availability

Virgin
Virgin is offering rebooking options for passengers due to land at Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester on Wednesday 30 November 2011.

Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is offering rebooking options for passengers holding confirmed reservations for travel on 30 November arriving into London Heathrow or Manchester. Conditions apply.

Etihad Airways
Several changes have been made to Etihad’s Heathrow-bound flights including cancellations and reduced capacity – passengers are being rebooked on to alternative flights.

Etihad is operating Manchester flights as scheduled.

Flybe
For passengers flying into the UK and connecting to Flybe services, the airline is offering free-of-charge changes to bookings to later, alternative flights – contact Flybe Call Centre on 0871 700 2000

Aegean Airlines
Aegean has announced two flight cancellations – more information: http://en.aegeanair.com/all-about-us/press-office/press-releases/press-release/?prid=337

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/

London City Airport has announced the appointment of Declan Collier as its new Chief Executive.

Mr Collier will replace the current CEO, Richard Gooding OBE, in early 2012. Richard Gooding OBE has been CEO for the past 15 years and will join the Board as a non-executive director.

Declan Collier is currently CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

Speaking about Mr Collier’s appointment, Roy Griffins, Chairman of London City Airport said, “We are delighted to have secured as our new CEO somebody of Declan Collier’s calibre and experience,”

“Declan has led DAA through a transformational period in terms of its infrastructure and business culture. He is a respected voice within the aviation industry through his involvement with Airports Council International (ACI), where he is currently President, ACI Europe.”

“At the same time we are delighted to be retaining Richard Gooding’s extensive knowledge and experience on the London City Board. LCY underwent significant development during Richard’s outstandingly successful tenure as CEO. The airport enjoyed a four-fold increase in traffic to more than three million passengers a year.”

London City Airport is advising passengers that, due to the World Travel Market at the ExCel exhibition centre, there will no direct DLR service between London City Airport and the Bank tube station from 7 to 10 November.

A revised timetable is operating and for more information visit DLR

Winter sports fans can fly their skis for free to the top three British Airways ski destinations from London City Airport.

Customers who book flights to Chambery, Geneva or Zurich between today (3 October) and 31 October will be invited to take an extra piece of hold luggage on flights between December and March – this is in addition to the existing free one bag allowance and can be used for skis or other winter sports equipment.

British Airways currently operates seven flights a week from London City to Geneva and 22 flights a week to Zurich. From December 17 the four times a week winter only services to Chambery will begin. All fares include free on-line check in and seat selection up to 24 hours before departure, no debit card charges and complimentary food and drinks on board the aircraft.

Luke Hayhoe, general manager commercial, BA CityFlyer, said: “We do already offer a generous 23 kilogram baggage allowance but wanted to give our skiing passengers an additional bonus this winter. Providing they book their flights in the October booking period they can take their skis for free until the end of March”.