The Foreign Office is advising passengers of a 24-hour general strike by public and private sector workers in Greece on Thursday 8 July 2010.

Air traffic controllers may also be on strike and passengers are advised to contact their airline for further information.

The Foreign Office has advised that travellers still stuck abroad should maintain regular contact with their airline or travel provider so that they are kept up to date with the latest travel plans.

For further information check out the following pages:

Help for British nationals returning the UK click here

The rights of passengers affected by the ash cloud click here

Thomson and First Choice are to repatriate thousands of passengers currently stranded in Alicante and Malaga.

The repatriation programme will commence today, Monday 19 April, and will involve some of the companies’ customers in Alicante travelling via coach to Northern France where overnight accommodation will be provided. Customers will then travel via ferry on Tuesday 20 April back to the UK and onto their original UK departure airport.

Customers in Malaga will travel via coach to Costa Brava where overnight accommodation will be provided. The coaches will continue on Tuesday morning to Northern France where customers will then travel via ferry on Wednesday 21 April back to the UK and onto their original UK departure airport.

Thomson and First Choice have around 40,000 passengers stuck abroad and the above measures should see about 5,000 customers brought home.

Thomson also plans to sail its Island Cruises ship, Island Escape, from Fuchal (Madeira) back to the UK to bring home passengers who had previously been scheduled to fly home.

Thomson Cruises  new Thomson Dream ship will also be used to transfer customers from Majorca to Barcelona from where their onward journey will be arranged.

Dermot Blastland, Managing Director for Thomson and First Choice holidays, commented: “Our customers are our number one priority at all times and we felt it was necessary to take action now given the current uncertainty surrounding air travel. Our teams have been working around the clock to put this plan in place so that our customers can return home to their families without any further delay.”

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:

• explosives, such as fireworks, flares, toy gun caps;
• gases, such as culinary blowtorches, camping or compressed gas cylinders, tear gas, mace or CS gas devices;
• flammable materials such as petrol, lighter fuel, paint, thinners, non-safety matches, firelighters;
• poisons, such as weed killers, insecticides;
• corrosives, such as filled car batteries.

Goods that may be carried by passengers include:

• gas powered hair curlers (one per person), provided the safety cover is fitted at all times. Separate refills are not permitted;
• safety matches or a single lighter when carried on the person. One lighter per person may be carried through central search. Lighters form part of the passenger allowance permitted in the one litre capacity transparent bag and can either be placed inside the bag or screened separately. It is very important that passengers do not place the lighter into their cabin bag after screening – it must be carried on the person for the duration of the flight. Separate lighter refills are not permitted;
• battery powered wheelchairs may be carried by passengers subject to certain safety conditions, including ensuring the battery is securely attached to the wheelchair, protecting the battery and chair from short circuiting, and ensuring that the wheelchair cannot become switched on during transport. Passengers should contact their airline in advance to check whether special conditions apply.

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:

• Band A – flights to Europe £11
• Band B – flights of up to 4,000 miles £45
• Band C – flights to the Caribbean £50
• Band D – flights to Australia and New Zealand £60

• For Premium seats the charges are doubled.

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
If you are driving to the airport you are going to need airport parking, of which there are many types: on-site short- or long-stay, off-site and meet and greet parking. Whichever type of on-site parking you are using, you will find that, in most cases, the airport operator has subcontracted the on-site airport parking operations to a specialist company. Off-site and meet and greet parking are generally operated by independent companies. Any complaints or questions should be directed to the car park operators.

Reduced mobility services
In July 2008, new EU regulations introduced at all EU airports gave disabled and elderly passengers the same access rights as all other passengers. Airport operators now have the full responsibility to provide reduced mobility services to passengers. Contact your airline at the time of booking to arrange these services.

Check-in
Your airline is responsible for check-in and baggage drop-off. Check-in times are set by your airline and are dependent on the route. To find out the earliest and latest check-in times check your flight confirmation details, or the airline’s website – the answer should quite easily be found, possibly in the FAQ section.

Baggage handling
Although your airline has ultimate responsibility for your luggage, airlines contract out their baggage handling to specialist baggage-handling companies which are responsible for the handling of your luggage right through to its destination. If you have a question about luggage, including lost luggage you should contact your airline.

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
Security checks are conducted by specialist companies contracted by the airport authority.

Shopping, food and duty free
The airport authority rents out retail units, restaurants and food outlets in much the same way as shops are rented out on the high street on in a shopping mall. Complaints and questions about stock, menus etc should be directed to the specific retailer.

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.

Boarding your aircraft
Your airline is responsible for passenger boarding, passenger safety and onboard catering facilities.

Air traffic control
National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is responsible for 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:
www.gov.je/Health/hospital_services/healthcostsuk/RHAEnds.htm

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.