Archive for the ‘Travel news’ Category Twin Squirrel taking off from Denham Aerodrome - Photo courtesy of Helicopter Film Services Many UK businesses have turned to executive helicopters to get them around the gridlocked UK road network as this unprecedented winter weather takes its toll. PremiAir, the UK’s largest executive helicopter charter operator is actually reporting an upturn in operations as executives needing to get on with their normal business recognise the unique value of helicopters and their ability to get them quickly around the UK, even when major and regional airports are disrupted. PremiAir, now in its 30th year, has bases at Denham, Blackbushe, Oxford and Farnborough Airports in the UK. Most of us are aware that certain items cannot be carried on board aircraft, either in hand luggage or in checked-in luggage, but how many of us stop to think about these restrictions when posting items via airmail? As a timely reminder for Christmas, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is highlighting the dangers of carrying certain items on board aircraft, or posting via airmail. Passengers need to be aware of the dangers of carrying prohibited items on board an aircraft, as do those selling goods for transportation by airmail. One particular problem is that of inappropriately packaged Lithium batteries that can pose a fire risk if posted loose, or the equipment they are installed in is accidentally activated during transport. Geoff Leach, Manager of the Dangerous Goods Office at the CAA, said: “We are asking people to think carefully before transporting any items by air that could potentially pose a serious risk to the occupants of an aircraft. Whilst we are all made aware of the security restrictions imposed, people still need to be reminded that some items that are relatively innocuous in everyday use are restricted from carriage on board an aircraft.” Dangerous goods that must NOT be taken on board an aircraft are:
If you are uncertain about what you can or cannot carry onboard contact the CAA’s Dangerous Goods Office on 01293 573900. Yesterday, 1 November, saw the increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD) come in to effect. The increase in the heavily-criticised tax means the duty levied is now structured into four bands dependent on distance travelled – previously the tax was split into just two categories. The duty applicable for single flights is now:
A further increase is due to be introduced in November 2010 when the fees will be to £12, £60, £75 and £85 respectively. While the APD has been criticised by many, the Telegraph has launched a campaign to get it scrapped. To find out more, and to add your name to their petition click here.
CarryMyLuggage.com has launched a new EU service for British holidaymakers and business travellers fed up with spiralling add-on baggage charges of the so-called ‘low cost’ airlines. The company, which has been providing luggage services since 2004, has launched a door-to-door EU Economy Service where passengers’ bags are collected from their home and delivered to their hotel, resort or villa ahead of the traveller. The company believes its new online EU Economy Service will, for many passengers, be cheaper even than the standard baggage charges on the big ‘low cost’ airlines. Simon Huxford, MD of CarryMyLuggage.com, said: “British tourists are being charged up to £190 round-trip with certain low cost airlines simply for the privilege of taking a standard 20kg suitcase on holiday – our service starts from £65 one way for the same item. “We think our EU Economy Service will also appeal to those who prefer not to travel with heavy bags, so it’s ideal for the elderly or infirm, single parents travelling with children, through to people who are unable to carry bags because of a disability.” As well as providing a trackable, insured service for holidaymakers and business travellers heading to or from EU countries, CarryMyLuggage.com can also transport ski and snowboard equipment as well as golf bags. Air travellers are so concerned with their travel plans that they rarely give a second thought to who is responsible for what at the airport. In fact, most travellers seem to think that an airport is operated by one big company which is responsible for everything from security and parking to baggage handling and duty free. However, in reality, things are not as they seem and it is usually only when you have a complaint to make that it becomes apparent that things are very different. Each airport – buildings and land – is usually owned by one company or jointly by a group of companies, which runs the day-to-day administrative operations of the airport. In fact, of the number of employees working at an airport, the actual airport operator is usually only responsible for the direct employment of around ten percent of those workers. The airport makes its money by charging airlines for using the airport and contracts out many of the day-to-day operations to specialist companies. To examine who is responsible for what let’s start with your arrival at the airport. Airport parking Reduced mobility services With regard to weight restrictions, size and amount of luggage, these are set by your airline and do vary from airline to airline and travel class, so check your airline’s website for their allowances. Rules governing restricted items in both hand and checked-in baggage are set by the Department for Transport (DfT), although your airline may also have set its own rules in addition to the DfT’s rules. A list of prohibited items will be found on the DfT’s website and also on your airline’s and airport’s websites. Baggage queries should be directed to your airline. Security checks Shopping, food and duty free Duty free limits are set by HM Customs and Excise and can be found on many airport sites in addition to the HM Customs and Excise website. Air traffic control Recently, several airlines have announced increased air services between UK airports and Jersey, however, anyone considering travel to Jersey or from Jersey to the UK will require travel insurance after 31 March 2009 – the day when the UK ends its reciprocal health agreement with Jersey. Up until this date, the reciprocal agreement means that anyone requiring medical treatment is eligible to a free service. From 1 April 2009, only treatment in Accident and Emergency will be free, operations and ongoing treatments will need to be paid for. Travellers should check they have adequate travel insurance. For more information on the end of the agreement check the Jersey Government’s website at: Well, I’m not really prone to rant, but after reading Darren Cronian’s Five things I hate about airports on his travel rants blog, I really feel the need to add some of my own. As a regular traveller through Gatwick airport, I hate the inconsistency in time spent passing through security – so much so that you really are uncertain how much time to allow. Sometimes it can be ten minutes – last summer, it became a lottery with everyone being herded around like animals, it seemed to take forever. Leave too little time and you start panicking that you may miss your flight – too much and you could die of boredom waiting to board. If you’re travelling with children it makes it even harder as you need to worry about how to keep them amused too! I hate the lack of seating provided once through security, and the huge queues just to buy a coffee to help pass the time. Lack of signage is frustrating too particularly when returning, it really becomes a case of follow-the-leader and hope that the person at the front knows where they’re going. The cost of Air Passenger Duty (APD) is to increase from November 2009. Currently the tax is set at £10 for economy flights within Europe and £40 for anywhere else – premium seats are currently charged at twice the fee. From November 2009, the duty will be levied in four bands: Band A – flights to Europe £11 Premium seats will be charged double. APD will also be increased in November 2010 to £12, £60, £75 and £85 respectively. Confusion surrounding the rights of ATOL protected XL customers still abroad has led the CAA to issue a press release informing travellers that their holidays are financially protected from the moment the company went into administration and they should not need to pay hotel bills at the end of their stays. Customers who are asked to settle bills at hotels and resorts are advised to immediately contact the in-resort holiday representatives of Thomson, First Choice, Thomas Cook or Virgin Holidays who are liaising closely with the CAA. Otherwise, customers should phone the ATOL helpline – tel. 00 44 2891 856547 – for advice. Richard Jackson, CAA Director of Consumer Protection, said: “ATOL offers complete financial protection covering both flights and accommodation. If you are covered then you should not have to pay for anything that was covered under your original package. The CAA and tour operators are contacting hoteliers to remind them that ATOL will be picking up the bills from the point of XL’s collapse.” For more information check out the CAA’s website. Crossrail, the largest addition to the transport network in London and the South East for more than 50 years, has been given the go ahead by Parliament. When complete, the rail line will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the West through to central London and then on to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the East. More than 200 million people are expected to use the network each year, which will bring an extra 1.5 million people within one hour’s commuting distance on London’s business districts. Crossrail will add 10% to London’s public transport capacity with trains travelling at up to 100 mph on the surface and 60 mph in tunnels. Heathrow will be 31 minutes away from the West End and 43 minutes from Canary Wharf |
