Award winning LED specialist MHA Lighting has saved Newcastle International Airport 70% on its car park lighting costs.

The Manchester-based company transformed the lighting in the airport’s busy car parks with 370 Perimeter Lights (PL), replacing 150 watt SON fittings (170 watt with ballast) with their PL40 fitting – which is just 45 watts inclusive of ballast.

The lights were fitted to 6.5 metre high poles spaced at 18-21 metres to provide Street Standard lighting, light levels and uniformity – giving an average in access of 20 lux.

The new lighting will halve carbon emissions and cut energy emissions by up to 70%.

MHA Lighting Managing Director Tom Harrison said: “We are thrilled that Newcastle International Airport chose MHA Lighting for their installation of external car park lighting.

“The quality of the LED lights also improves safety and security at the airport by eradicating pockets of darkness and making CCTV footage clearer.”

Newcastle Airport is the second UK airport to choose MHA Lighting’s patented LED technology. Earlier this year MHA Lighting secured a contract to supply 2,500 LED light fittings to Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 and 3 car parks – saving £80,000 per annum on the airport’s electricity bills.

easyJet is set to trial allocated seating on selected routes.

The trial, which will be introduced in the spring of 2012, will mean each passenger will be allocated a specific seat, however, if they wish to sit in a specific seat, such as in the front row they can pay to reserve them.

Carolyn McCall, easyJet CEO, said, “This is another example of easyJet trying to do all it can to make travel easy and affordable for our passengers. We look forward to seeing how our passengers respond and how the trial works.

We will roll it out further only if it works operationally, from a revenue perspective and increases passenger satisfaction. If it doesn’t, we won’t.”

Jet2.com and sister company Jet2holidays are celebrating with a trio of wins at two of the top award ceremonies in the travel industry calendar.

Jet2holidays led the awards haul after being voted Best Tour Operator to the Iberian Peninsula and Islands at the prestigious British Travel Awards – the largest survey of public opinion on UK travel industry performance and the most anticipated awards in the travel industry calendar. The accolade recognises the package holiday specialists’ position as the leading British tour operator to that region.

Jet2holidays was also named Best Mainstream Short Haul Operator at the 19th Annual Travel Awards of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association, where Jet2.com was declared Best Low Cost Airline and runner up in the Best European Airline category. Voted for by Scottish travel agents, the airline and package holiday specialist beat off tough competition from rival travel companies to win the coveted accolades at the biggest event in the Scottish travel calendar.

Jet2 received further national praise from readers of The Telegraph newspaper in its annual travel awards. The airline was unveiled as runner up in the Favourite Short-Haul Airline category, second only to British Airways.

Steve Heapy, Managing Director of Jet2holidays and Chief Commercial Officer of Jet2.com, said: “This latest flurry of awards is a reflection of our continued dedication to providing the best possible service to our customers who clearly enjoy our growing list of city, sun and ski destinations. The recognition from both customers and agents is hugely important to us and is a clear indication that we are getting it right across the board.”

“Our friendly flight times from eight regional bases and generous 22kg baggage allowance as well as our ATOL protected holiday packages to suit all tastes and budgets are what set us apart from our competitors and help to keep us the airline and tour operator of choice for our loyal customers.”

Newcastle Airport is advising passengers planning to drive to the airport via the A19 to be aware of road works taking place from Monday 7 November until Monday 28 November and allow extra time for their journey.

A19 road resurfacing work between Moor Farm Roundabout and the Killingworth Interchange will take place between the hours of 20:00 and 06:00 each night and will require closure of either the north or southbound carriageways of the A19 (depending on work). Signed diversions will be in place via the A189 and the A1056.

Newcastle Airport is celebrating after winning the ‘Best UK Airport’ (up to six million passengers) for the third year in a row – a first in the history of the awards.

The award was presented by The Independent’s travel editor, Simon Calder, at the Airport Operators Association (AOA) Awards ceremony held on Monday 31 October in London.

Newcastle, which is the largest airport in North East England, beat off stiff competition from Leeds Bradford, Bristol, Liverpool, and East Midlands airports.

Regional airports and airlines have renewed their call on the Chancellor to reduce Air Passenger Duty (APD) on flights from all UK airports outside of London. The move follows the Chancellor’s decision to reduce APD on long haul flights from Northern Ireland, in recognition of the harmful effect the tax was having on air services.

In a joint letter to the Chancellor, twelve airports and airlines called for urgent action to support the economic growth and development of the UK regions. The letter states:

“Regional airports and airlines have a lower percentage of business travellers or inbound tourists than the London airports, and have been hit hard by economic downturn. That’s not just bad news for our businesses. It’s bad for jobs, bad for inward investment and bad for wealth creation in the UK regions. If the Government is serious about truly rebalancing the economy, then decisive action is needed on behalf of the 86 million passengers that fly from our airports.”

Andrew Strong, Managing Director, Flybe UK said, “Flybe welcomes the Chancellor’s acknowledgement that air services from the UK’s regions are impacted by the high price of Air Passenger Duty (APD) and we look forward to the Treasury expanding these plans so that other lifeline regional routes, including domestic lifeline routes, may receive a differential rate of APD. It is nothing short of scandalous that domestic passengers should be hit not once but twice by this tax unlike overseas-bound travellers who only pay once.”

Air Passenger Duty was introduced in 1994 and doubled in 2007. Manchester Airport’s passenger traffic peaked in that year at 22 million passengers but since then the fall in the regions has been almost double the fall in London. London airports are down 9% on the 2007 peak (127m in 2010, down from 139m in 2007) while regional airports have felt a bigger impact, down 17% on the 2007 peak (86m in 2010, down from 103m in 2007).

Jonathan Bailey, External Affairs Director for the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: “We are delighted that the Chancellor has recognised the detrimental effect air passenger duty (APD) is having on UK aviation but disappointed that only Belfast’s plight has been noted. Action must be taken to address the disproportionate impact of APD in the regions outside London and the South East, as well as Northern Ireland. Every European country that has removed its equivalent of APD has duly felt the benefits and we are all aware of the difficult economic situation and how our economies need a boost. Aviation could provide it and we hope that the government will have the same foresight for other regions.”

Dave Laws, Chief Executive at Newcastle Airport, said: “If the Government can pull out all the stops to protect an air link serving Northern Ireland, then it can do the same for the North East. We have said before that APD should be abolished or reduced significantly across the whole country.

“Any differentiation based upon geographical criteria, which appears to be the case with the Northern Ireland proposal, would be unfair and possibly illegal under EU State Aid Regulations. Also, where would it end? Would Scotland and Wales also be successful in arguing special circumstances? A much fairer, and probably legal, approach would be to give all regional airports a stimulus by varying the rate of APD between congested and non-congested airports, thereby protecting the interests of all disadvantaged regions.”

Earlier this year, MAG, Newcastle Airport and Flybe were involved in the ‘Fair Tax on Flying’ campaign and joined an alliance of more than 25 airlines, airports, tour operators, destinations and trade associations who were uniting to call on the Government to make the system of aviation tax in the UK fairer. That helped to raise awareness of the current system amongst UK travellers and saw the issue of a regionalised system of tax being mentioned in the Treasury’s subsequent consultation on the current system.

To see a copy of the letter click here.

A £3.2 million development will get underway in October at Newcastle Airport.

The work will create a brand new, three-storey terminal extension that will add an extra 5,242 sq ft to the security search area doubling the number of security lanes to 10. The latest security screening technology will also be to speed up passenger transit through security.

The airport is also joining forces with the UK Border Agency to redevelop the immigration arrivals area which will include increasing the number of desks from four to six by December 2011.

The building work is scheduled to be completed by spring 2012 and will take place in phases to minimise disruption.

A new spa has opened in the departure lounge at Newcastle Airport.

The Aquaria Spa offers a variety of treatments, including the ever popular Garra Rufa Fish Pedicure, manicures, massages and reflexology.

Gill Caleary, Commercial Director at Newcastle International Airport, said: “As part of our continued commitment to make Newcastle Airport an enjoyable experience for all, we aim to deliver a wide range of services to our customer. We felt that there was a real desire amongst travellers for something different and new, and Aquaria Spa delivers this! As well as the vast range of retail and catering outlets to spend time in, taking some much deserved ‘me’ time at Aquaria Spa is a perfect way to get your holiday off to a relaxing start.”

John Pridgeon, Operations Director at Aquaria Spa, said “The extension of our services into the airport arena is a key part of our growth strategy. A quick Indian Head Massage or getting your nails painted, or Minx’d, before you fly will now become the norm for many passengers, especially given that they can book their appointments in advance or on their way to the airport. It’s simple, especially if you’re travelling for a last minute meeting or holiday … you don’t need to worry about looking or feeling your best, just arrive at the airport early and start relaxing!”

Passengers wishing to take advantage of the treatments offered are advised to arrive at the airport in good time ahead of their flight.

The Air Travel Advisory Bureau (ATAB) is teaming up with law firm Barker Gillette to launch a coordinated legal claim against UK airlines that have not refunded Air Passenger Duty (APD) to passengers who have booked flights and not flown.

Since the tax was introduced in 1994, ATAB estimates that consumers have lost out on millions of pounds in un-refunded APD. In fact, Which? Estimated that in 2003 alone Ryanair retained more than £5 million in un-refunded taxes.

ATAB Chairman, Tony White said, “It is a scandal that some airlines hang on to this money. It never belonged to them. It’s a tax collected on the behalf of the Government. With a couple of exceptions, most of the UK airlines make it as difficult as possible to get your money back. If you don’t actually fly, for whatever reason, you are entitled to get the APD refunded. The airlines already have your credit card details, they should refund your card immediately. They make it difficult or expensive in the hope that you’ll go away – and most people do just that”.

“It is truly shocking, we’ve found some airlines that will charge an “administration fee” greater than the value of the refund. This is a complete rip-off and it’s our intention to put an end to it. If you have booked an airline ticket out of the UK anytime since 1994, and not flown, then we want to hear from you” said White.

For more information in reclaiming APD on unused flights visit www.atab.org.uk/action-now/reclaim-your-taxes/

Flybe has unveiled two new year-round services from Manchester.

From 30 October 2011, the airline will operate a four-times-per-week service to Newquay Cornwall Airport and a four-times-per-week service to Ireland West Airport Knock

Flight schedules:

Manchester to Newquay:

Effective 30 October 2011 – 23 March 2012

Mon/Thurs/Fri

Depart Newquay 10:50 arrive Manchester 12:05

Depart Manchester 12:30 arrive Newquay 13:40

Sunday

Depart Manchester 14:40 arrive Newquay 15:50

Depart Newquay 16:15 arrive Manchester 17:30

Manchester to Knock:

Effective 30 October 2011 – 23 March 2012

Mon/Wed/Fri

Depart Manchester 10:20 arrive Knock 11:30

Depart Knock 11:55 arrive Manchester 13:10

Sunday

Depart Manchester 11:15 arrive Knock 12:25

Depart Knock 12:50 arrive Manchester 14:05

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport’s Managing Director said: “This is great news for our passengers with Flybe being the only carrier operating these year-round services from Winter 2011. I’m pleased that both Knock and Newquay will remain on the destination map from Manchester as we know how popular routes within the UK and Ireland are”.