Somewhat controversially, the use of mobile phones on planes was first sanctioned back in 2008. And whilst it never really took off (excuse the pun!), Virgin Atlantic is rolling it out over its entire fleet over the next three years, starting with flights out of Gatwick and Manchester in May.

Whilst on a day-to-day basis (and some might argue on a minute-to-minute basis) we couldn’t be without mobile phones, it seems that the general public don’t want phones to be used during flights.

It seems the mobile craze in the skies hasn’t really taken off and whilst we use our phones for the Internet on the train and in restaurants to check Facebook or Tweet where we are, it’s not something we want to do 30,000 feet up!

A 2011 survey by Fly.com revealed that less than 5% of passengers actually want mobiles to be allowed in our skies!

The Fly.com survey of 1,300 frequent travellers, also revealed:

• 30% of travellers would actually be put off flying with an airline if mobile phones were allowed
• Objections included constant interruption from email alerts and social networking and people speaking very loudly whilst on them
• Passengers would not want to pay more than £5 per flight for Internet access
• Less than 1% of passengers would pay £10 per flight for Internet access.

In February 2009, Ryanair was one of the first to allow mobile phone usage on their aircraft but quickly reversed that decision. Now mobile phones are not allowed to be used on their aircraft in flight. British Airways llows mobile use for its Business Class passengers flying between London City and New York but not for voice calls, just for texts, emails and Internet usage. bmi and Qantas launched similar text and data usage trials.

Emirates offers the full use of mobile phones on selected services, via the AeroMobile facility.

Several years ago, a Telegraph Travel petition saw 7,000 signatures expressing concerns over mobile phones being used on flights, regarding security and safety issues, not to mention the irritation of listening to fellow passengers on the phone!

Speaking about the survey, Aaron Ritoper, General Manager of Fly.com, said: “These results really highlight the perception UK travellers have that connectivity on flights could be more of an interference than an enhancement. We believe this perception will change as services are introduced, given that people already enjoy wireless connectivity when commuting by train.”

From 6 March 2012, Ryanair will move its operations from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport.

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.

Manchester Airport has announced that from 10 April 2012 passengers will be required to pay £1 or €2 to use the airport’s luggage trolleys.

The airport is investing more than £1 million to replace its current luggage trolleys, which have been in service since the 1990s, with lighter, easier to manoeuvre, GPS-enabled trolleys.

According to the airport, only 5% of passengers use airport trolleys, and the new charge will ensure that the cost of the replacement trolleys is borne by these passengers rather everyone using the airport.

Manchester Airport has been honored at the annual Travel Weekly Globe Awards where it was named Best UK Airport last night beating stiff competition from Heathrow and Gatwick to get the gong.

The awards, which are voted for by travel agents across the UK, are a highlight of the travel industry calendar because Travel Weekly is seen by many as the bible of Britain’s travel business.

The glittering event held at the Grosvenor House hotel in London last week attracts the best of the UK travel industry competing for its influential awards.

Andrew Harrison, Chief Operating Officer, Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: “We continue to invest in improving the airport experience for our passengers and despite the difficult economic situation, continue to deliver services to new destinations and additional capacity on existing routes providing increased choice and flexibility for travellers in the North of England. To receive this award is an accomplishment for Manchester Airport as it recognises the hard work of our staff; the successful relationships we maintain with our airline partners – and demonstrates that the travel industry which votes for these awards advocates our approach.”

This is the fourth time that Manchester has picked up the best UK Airport award, which remains one of the few award ceremonies where the winners are voted solely by the industry.

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.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, has unveiled plans for the development of a £659million ‘Airport City’ – the first of its kind in the UK – at Manchester Airport in the North West of England.

Designated as one of the UK Government’s new Enterprise Zones last March, the Airport City project has received a substantial amount of interest and the detailed masterplan created by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), sets out the vision to transform Manchester Airport from a transport hub into an international business destination in its own right.

Building on the global connectivity offered by the airport location, the 150-acre regeneration scheme will deliver over five-million square feet of new high-quality business premises, with the aim of attracting international companies that would not previously have located in the region, or even the UK.

Becoming fully operational from April 2012, it is estimated that the wider 116-hectare Manchester Enterprise Zone will create up to 20,000 new jobs over the next 15-years. The Airport City project will be a focal point of the Manchester Enterprise Zone proposition, alongside a MediPark development at University Hospital South Manchester and Wythenshawe town centre – sites all linked by a new Metrolink tramline currently under construction – and complemented by a series of smaller opportunity sites in across South Manchester.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Airport City will fill the gap in the market that currently exists for a high quality and well-connected environment for businesses that need access to a major British city and to a global marketplace. Airport City will provide an innovative and complementary offer to Greater Manchester’s existing assets, rather than competing against them, adding new capacity to the city’s existing dynamic economy. Manchester is well placed with an international offer based on established academic research and technology, innovative businesses, communications and transport infrastructure.”

The detailed ‘stage two’ Masterplan for Airport City identifies the creation of two core Airport City zones. The first is a development area adjacent to the airport’s existing railway station and to north of the M56, which will focus on hotel, office, retail and advanced manufacturing uses – whilst a second area adjacent to the existing cargo centre at Junction 6 of the M56, will focus on freight and logistics uses.

Jet2.com is offering free ski or board carriage for bookings made from 9 January to before 19 February 2012.

To qualify for free carriage, enter the code FREESKI at the time of booking.

Iberia pilots are planning to take strike action next Monday 9 January and Wednesday 11 January 2012.

For more information on cancellations and disruptions click here.

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.”