General News
Below are links to stories of general interest in relation to aviation and airports.
Traincations v. planecations as well as vacations v. staycations
Date added: 6 April, 2011
With European high-speed rail networks tourists are beginning to embark on an increasing number of flight-free holidays, called
‘traincations’. "Over half of all holidaymakers are considering swapping air travel for train
travel" reported Global Cool last year and this is now becoming the new reality. Holidaymakers are tired of travelling by plane, with time wasted arriving ahead
of departure and queuing whether it’s for check-in, security, or boarding the
aircraft.
Click here to view full story...
British Airways increases fuel surcharge by £10 on long haul flights
Date added: 5 April, 2011
The price of oil continues to rise. BA's latest fuel surcharge rise – the 3rd in under 4 months – will add another £10 to
the price of economy and premium economy tickets (£20 first class) to long haul
destinations such as the USA, the Caribbean the Far East. i.e. up from £75 to
£85 total for a flight of under 9 hours. And from £88 to £98 for flights (£125
to £145 first class) over 9 hours. There is no surcharge on short haul and domestic
flights.
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Travel Management Company warns clients to expect APD hike in 2012
Date added: 5 April, 2011
Wings Travel Management, has predicted a “significant” increase in APD. The government’s
forecasts for APD show revenue from the tax is expected to rise by nearly $1 billion.
Wings said this increase can only come from a hike in APD in 2012 and 2013. As
total passenger numbers have declined in each of the past 3 years "an increase
in the tax seems inevitable." "This may begin to change the travel dynamics in
the UK." APD will not rise in 2011.
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Oliver Letwin: ‘We don’t want more people from Sheffield flying away on cheap holidays’
Date added: 5 April, 2011
A minister is under fire for allegedly suggesting he wanted to curb airport expansion
to prevent northerners from taking package holidays. Oliver Letwin, the Cabinet
Office minister, is said to have made the remarks in a row with Boris Johnson
about new airports, and the increase in airport taxes. A Labour MP said “Ministers
are constantly jetting to exclusive resorts. But they don’t want hard-pressed
families to enjoy a well-deserved break".
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UK aviation policy – business sees it as being in a muddle
Date added: 5 April, 2011
Business travel journalist Stanley Slaughter muses on the current state of UK
airports and aviation policy, and the government's reluctance to hurry in producing
a new one. The industry is not going to give up its hope of another south east
runway. They justify this by saying it is needed for business. In reality, there
is much more capacity available than business could possibly need. Heathrow has
made its own commercial decisions to have fewer destinations.
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Holed Southwest Airlines plane forced to make emergency descent and landing ‘had metal fatigue’ in fuselage
Date added: 3 April, 2011
An examination of a US Boeing 737 owned by Southwest Airlines, and carring 118
people, that developed a hole in its cabin roof in mid-flight has found evidence
of metal fatigue in the fuselage. The hole caused a sudden drop in cabin pressure, and the plane was forced to
make a steep descent and safe emergency landing. Southwest cancelled 300 flights to allow for inspections of 79 of its aircraft. This has
happened several times before.
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Boss of easyJet attacks coalition for sidelining air transport [expect more like this from the industry all this summer]
Date added: 3 April, 2011
The head of easyJet has accused the government of being "obsessed with high-speed rail" at the expense
of aviation, joining a chorus of criticism from the business community about the
lack of a coherent policy on air transport. She has complained about the coalition not reforming taxes on airline tickets,
and dropping a 3rd runway at Heathrow. This is part of a campaign by the aviation
industry, now the Scoping Document is out for consultation. A lot more of this
sort of thing is expected.
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United warns EU that the ETS will be challenged by other governments
Date added: 3 April, 2011
United Airlines in US says a foreign government is bound to challenge the EU
ETS when it includes aviation in 2012. They say it is contrary to several international
agreements. Airlines from the USA, Asia and elsewhere are concerned the scheme
will cost them money, and worry about how much. United is just one more airline
to join the group taking a case to the European Court of Justice some time in
the next year or so, on the legality of imposing the ETS on all airlines flying
in Europe.
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Letters to the Times on UK airport capacity and south east runways
Date added: 31 March, 2011
Letters to the Times on UK aviation policy include those from John Stewart, and
Brendon Sewill. They point out that London has 5 airports and six runways - more
than any other European city. Also that Gatwick is working at 75% and Stansted
at 50% capacity, needing no infrastructure expansion. Business does not regard
a larger Heathrow as vital, with other factors of greater importance, and benefits
could be gained by releasing Heathrow slots for Asian destinations
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Ryanair defends £2 per passenger levy to pay for impact of last year’s travel chaos
Date added: 31 March, 2011
Ryanair has denied the airline is "punishing" millions of passengers by imposing a £2 levy (€2 in Europe) on fares to pay for customers stranded during last year's snow,
volcano and air traffic control chaos. Ryanair is introducing a new add-on charge from next week after the EU failed to reform
its EU261 compensation law. O'Leary said the £110m raised over the next 12 months
will cover the cost of providing hotels and compensation
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