Wizz Air is expanding its operations in Budapest with an investment of HUF 25 billion (USD 100 million).

From March 2012, the airline will add two Airbus A320 aircraft to its Budapest base, increasing capacity by 66% with a view to carrying two million passengers a year – up from the current 1.4 million.

As part of its planned increase in capacity and services, Wizz Air will add an extra three flights per week between Budapest and London Luton – the number of weekly flights this summer will increase from 18 to 21.

“Wizz Air remains highly committed to Hungary, our homeland. We have been growing year-on-year since the start of operation in 2004. We will continue to meet the increase in consumer demand and continue to offer new jobs in Budapest” – said József Váradi, Chief Executive Officer of Wizz Air.

Wizz Air, the largest low fare – low cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe announced today that it would provide a special rescue package to passengers impacted by the suspension of Malev’s operations by offering re-routing alternatives to/from Budapest.

The airline is offering passengers, who are booked on Malev’s Budapest to London Gatwick flights, rescue fares on its Budapest to London Luton service.

Passengers who hold a valid Malev electronic ticket for travel between February 3, 2012 and March 24, 2012 can call the Wizz Air call centre at +36 1 358 6565 to benefit from the 9900 HUF fares (all inclusive, one way). Seats are subject to availability and flights must be rebooked by 6pm February 13, 2012.

Rebooking Conditions:

Passengers must have the Malev electronic ticket number available when calling the Wizz Air call centre to rebook their travel. Passengers will also need to present a printed copy of their original Malev electronic ticket (in addition to the Wizz Air itinerary), upon check-in for their Wizz Air flight. Passengers without a Malev electronic ticket will not be allowed to travel.

Additional charges apply for optional services such as checked baggage, pre-boarding, etc. Please check wizzair.com for these details along with information about baggage size and weight restrictions.

Slovenia’s national flag carrier, Adria Airways, has announced it will launch flights from Luton Airport.

The Star Alliance member will commence a four-times-per-week service between from London Luton and Ljubljana from Sunday 25 March 2012, opening up new trade and tourist routes between Luton and the South East and the Slovenian capital.

Airport Managing Director, Glyn Jones, said “The launch of this Adria Airways service to Ljubljana with its convenient onward connections to more than 15 European cities and Balkan destinations such as Pristina, Tirana & Skopje is very exciting. It means we are able to continue to make London Luton the passengers’ preferred choice, by offering more routes than ever before, offering great value for money travel, and quick and easy transport links. The airport is going from strength to strength, and we are delighted that Adria Airways is here to join in with our success.”

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.

2011 was a successful year for London Luton Airport, working in partnership with local social welfare charity NOAH (New Opportunities and Horizons) Enterprise, to raise a magnificent total of £30,000.

Airport staff members undertook a range of activities to support NOAH as their Charity of the Year including volunteering, a quiz night, charity collections, clothes recycling, cake baking and carol singing. A notable highlight was November’s “Big Help Week”, a community-wide appeal which encouraged local people to donate unwanted quality saleable items which could then be resold in NOAH’s charity shops.

Jim O’Connor, Chief Executive at NOAH Enterprise said: “The association has been immensely rewarding in so many ways for NOAH. Above all, the involvement of members of London Luton Airport’s staff team in various ways has, on every occasion, been a cause for joy. From the involvement of staff who provided hands-on support whether in decorating or professional advice, and those who have visited and taken the opportunity to see something of what we do and been affected by that, the relationship has been first class and it has been a real pleasure, and something we will treasure, to be involved with.”

Sian Pearce, Community Relations Executive at London Luton Airport said: “It’s fantastic that we were able to work to support NOAH with a range of activities to either raise funds or give practical help. NOAH provides such a valuable service to the local community; we are delighted to have raised such a fantastic amount to support their work. Thank you to all Airport colleagues for their tireless support and dedication in supporting this cause”.

Five unemployed young people aged 18 –25 from Bedfordshire have successfully landed jobs after completing a Prince’s Trust “Get Into Airports” programme held at London Luton Airport.

The programme started with two weeks intensive training in First Aid, CV coaching, interview and presentation skills. A further two weeks were spent completing work placements, both in the Airport Company and with its business partners, such as First Capital Connect, Costa Coffee and DHL. Last year more than three in four young people helped by The Prince’s Trust moved into work, training or education.

At a presentation to mark the end of the programme, the group shared its experiences in front of an audience of more than 60 people including Cllr Don Worlding, Mayor of Luton, Graham Ball Regional Director of The Prince’s Trust and Glyn Jones, Managing Director of London Luton Airport.

Before Kieran Underwood, 20, got involved with The Prince’s Trust, he was unemployed and looking for an opportunity to develop a career in a practical field. During one of his visits to the JobCentre Kieran heard about The Prince’s Trust “Get into Airports” course and jumped at the opportunity to take part in the programme. He said: ‘The programme has been amazing, the Trust was really supportive and I felt really lucky to get specialist training from companies such as DHL and the Airport Fire Service. I did my work placement with the Airport Cargo Centre and Airfield Operations Team. It was great to work in one of the behind the scenes roles and I’m proud that I was trusted with a role which came with responsibility for helping to keep the aerodrome safe. I’ve now been offered a job at the Airport which I’m thrilled about as there is so much opportunity here it’s the first step to my new career. The course changed my life and I can’t thank the Prince’s Trust enough for helping me get this far. Without them I’d probably still be unemployed”.

Sian Pearce, Community Relations Executive, London Luton Airport, said: “It has been a pleasure to facilitate this training with youth charity The Prince’s Trust. To see so many young people develop their skills and start to realise their own potential within just four weeks was incredible. Thanks must also go to APCOA, Europcar, Costa, First Capital Connect, Aelia and DHL for their help in delivering the programme”.

The other young people on the programme will now receive six months mentoring by The Prince’s Trust to help them find work.

Members of the public still have time to register feedback on Luton Airport’s draft Airport Surface Access Strategy.

The consultation period on the draft document opened in November and has been extended until 17:00 on Friday 6 January 2012.

A copy of the draft document can be found here: www.london-lutoninthecommunity.co.uk

Luton showed its community spirit during BIG Help Week for NOAH Enterprise and helped raise much needed funding to support the town’s homeless this winter.

The initiative was launched jointly between London Luton Airport and its Charity of the Year, NOAH Enterprise, as a community-wide appeal to local people to donate any unwanted quality saleable items which could then be resold in NOAH’s charity shops.

Donations from schools, church groups and businesses arrived by the bag full day after day and volunteers were kept busy sorting and preparing the goods for sale at NOAH’s High Town Charity Shop and the NOAH Furniture Warehouse, Church Street.

Jim O’Connor, Chief Executive of NOAH Enterprise said “At this time of year, conditions can be especially harsh for those living on the streets of Luton. Last year our night shelter helped around 60 people survive the winter who may not have survived otherwise. BIG Help Week has raised awareness for our work and the goods generously donated will raise essential funds to provide help to those who need it most”.

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/

Wizz Air had today introduced a brand new service called ‘Wizz Reserved Seat’.

By purchasing this service, passengers can get a guaranteed seat located in the first 2 rows of the aircraft and are also entitled to use the priority boarding option ‘Wizz Xpress’.

“We are proud to provide these enhanced services on our entire network of 205 routes across 23 countries, offering greater choice, flexibility and comfort to our passengers,” said John Stephenson, Executive Vice President of Wizz Air.

Both services can be purchased on wizzair.com during the booking process or via the Call Center for EUR 8, or at the airport for EUR 16 from today.