Archive for the ‘Robin Hood airport’ CategoryIn 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:
A further increase is set to be introduced this November with the fees increasing to:
For Premium seats the charges are double at:
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 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 2nd bag
Ryanair has announced it now has a dedicated Volcanic Ash Disruption team set up to handle refunds and claims from passengers in connection with the disruption caused by the ash cloud. For more information go to www.ryanair.com/en/notices/gops/100518-ASH_REIMBURSE_INFO-GB
Flybe has confirmed it is the first airline in the UK to be able to fly within the new Time Limited Zone. Under the new regulations the airline will be able to fly through denser volcanic ash than previously approved – 0.004 grams per cubic metre compared with 0.002 grams per cubic metre. Commenting on the news Flybe’s Chief Executive, Jim French said: “The CAA called upon the industry to bring forward thoroughly researched proposals to safely improve the ability to fly in the vicinity of low level volcanic ash concentrations. Flybe worked closely with the Met Office, Bombardier and Pratt & Whitney Canada to develop the proposals which have today been endorsed by the CAA. Flybe’s overriding concern is always safety, and these new rules arise from a proven process of safety management within the company and the industry which helps make air travel the safest form of public transport. The application of these new rules in the last 48 hours would have reduced our levels of cancellation from 380 flights to 21, or put another way, only 3% of our programme would have been affected. This level of cancellation would be more akin to a weather event and therefore much more bearable for customers and the industry.” For Manchester airport hotels or to compare and book Manchester airport parking using an online instant airport parking price checker click on the link. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the introduction of a new Time Limited Zone (TLZ) which will allow flights to take place though denser ash cloud than previously permitted. Following discussions with airlines, regulators, and aircraft and engine manufacturers the new Time Limited Zone, which effectively doubles the amount of permissible ash grammes per cubic metre of air, will reduce the need for airspace closures caused by volcanic ash. New procedures and the introduction of the zone will take place from midday today, 18 May 2010. To operate in the new zone airlines need to present the CAA with a safety case that includes the agreement of their aircraft and engine manufacturers. UK airline Flybe is the first to achieve this and will therefore be able to use the new zone from midday. Announcing the change Andrew Haines, Civil Aviation Authority Chief Executive, said: “I’m pleased that the huge efforts we’re all making across aviation to keep flying safe whilst minimising the disruption from the volcano have resulted in further progress. Unprecedented situations require new measures and the challenge faced should not be underestimated. Firstly because the standard default procedure for aircraft that encounter ash, to avoid it completely, doesn’t work in our congested airspace. Secondly, the world’s top scientists tell us that we must not simply assume the effects of this volcano will be the same as others elsewhere. Its proximity to the UK, the length of time it is continuously erupting and the weather patterns are all exceptional features. “The answer can only come, therefore, from aircraft and engine manufacturers establishing what level of ash their products can safely tolerate. At an international aviation conference we held last Thursday, attended by all the leading airline operators this approach was welcomed and supported. The manufacturers are co-operating fully and urgently in this task and the new zone is an excellent example of how the industry should be working to move the issue forward and I commend Flybe for its work.” The introduction of the Time Limited Zone is based on measurements collected from test flights through the current ash cloud over the past month, as well as on data and evidence compiled and analysed from previous volcanic ash incidents combined with additional analysis from manufacturers. Due to a volcanic ash cloud, NATS has advised that a no-fly zone is in place in the West of Scotland, some airports in the Western Isles, and Northern Ireland until at least 13:00. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has also imposed restrictions on all flights operating into and out of Ireland until 13.00 on Tuesday 4th May. Due to the volcanic ash cloud UK controlled airspace is to remain closed until at least 01:00 hours on Tuesday 20 April (local time). The next update on restrictions is expected around 15:00 hours today.
Wizz Air is to introduce an airport check-in fee from 1st April 2010. The airline is in the process of fully deploying online check-in for all its flights with online check-in being fully operational by 1 April 2010. Airport check-in can purchased at the time of booking for a fee of EUR 5, and EUR 10 if purchased at the airport on the day of departure. Wizz Air’s web check-in service is completely free and is available from seven days up to three hours before the scheduled departure time of the flight. To book Doncaster Sheffield airport parking using an instant online parking price checker or Sheffield hotels click on the links.
Wizz Air, the largest low fare – low cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, has introduced WIZZ Flex. Purchasing WIZZ Flex will allow passengers to change the date, time and routing of their flight, online any number of times, up to 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure time free of charge, however, any fare difference must be paid. WIZZ Flex costs 10 EUR per flight per passenger and can be purchased during the booking process . To book Luton airport parking and Luton airport hotels click on the links.
Wizz Air has now fully deployed its web check-in service in Romania. Web check-in is now available for all flights departing from Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Tirgu Mures and Timisoara. More airports will be introduced in the upcoming weeks and the service will be fully deployed by 1st April 2010. Wizz Air’s online check-in is available at wizzair.com from seven days up to three hours before the scheduled departure time of the flight. The service does not impact on the rest of the boarding procedure: passengers are requested to present themselves at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time of the flight. To book Liverpool airport parking and Liverpool airport hotels click on the links. |
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