The Travellers' Friend

Passengers using Heathrow increase

Travellers Friend — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:57:30 +0000

The number of passengers using BAA’s Heathrow airport rose 5% to reach a record 69.4 million last year although passengers at its Stansted airport fell by 2.8% to 18 million. BAA said 21% of flights left Heathrow 15 minutes or longer after the scheduled departure time in 2011, although this was better than 29% the previous year, which was hit by volcanic ash and severe winter weather

Virgin Atlantic 2-4-1 offer to Flying Club members

Travellers Friend — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:06:26 +0000

Virgin has launched a Flying Club reward seat sale, giving members who redeem economy flights to selected destinations a second companion seat free of charge. The promotion is valid for redemptions made before March 5, for travel before May 31 with some exceptions. Visit www.virgin-atlantic.com for a full list of destinations and redemptions must be made by ‘phone to Virgin on 0844 412 2414 and taxes and charges are applicable on both tickets.

Tourism from the Middle East grows

Travellers Friend — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:57:46 +0000

Britain welcomed more visitors than ever from the Middle East last year and the trend is set to continue throughout 2012, according to VisitBritain, the UK’s national tourist authority. The 2012 Middle Eastern influx will be partly driven by the Summer Olympics, which are taking place in less than six months and have been dubbed “the greatest show on earth” by London Mayor Boris Johnson. Recent figures from VisitBritian indicate Great Britain welcomed 30.6 million visitors in 2011, a 3 per cent increase on 2010, and the strongest year since 2008.

IAG rejects Virgin’s objections to its takeover of BMI

Travellers Friend — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:53:21 +0000

British Airways’ parent International Airlines Group has hit back at Virgin Atlantic over its demand that regulators block IAG’s bid for BMI and politicians in Scotland have written to both the European Competition Commissioner and the Office of Fair Trading expressing concerns. Sir Richard Branson said, “BMI performs a vital service for a large number of people. It keeps prices down.” He said Virgin Atlantic could “replace BMI’s challenge to BA by adding regional UK flying”. Europe’s Competition Commissioner is expected to make a decision on IAG’s £172 million purchase of BMI from current owner Lufthansa next month

Ryanair may cut flight to Scotland

Travellers Friend — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:48:35 +0000

Ryanair is set to announce cuts in the number of services it operates in and out of Edinburgh. The carrier has been negotiating with BAA for a reduction in the charges it pays for using the airport. Edinburgh Airport has become the company’s largest hub in Scotland and Ryanair accounts for about a fifth of the airport’s passengers.

Kingfisher hopes to restore services

Travellers Friend — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:46:10 +0000

Kingfisher Airlines has told the aviation authorities that it hopes to restore flight schedules in the next five to seven days. The company’s top officials met aviation regulators to discuss plans to end the large-scale flight disruptions over the past few days. At least 30 more flights were cancelled on Tuesday and Kingfisher’s shares fell by 20%. The firm recently had its bank account frozen for non-payment of taxes. It said it was now talking to banks to secure funding so it can continue operating. The airline, which flies on international as well as domestic routes, is currently operating 28 of its 64 planes. It flies to 46 destinations in India and eight overseas, including London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

More routes and staff to go at Qantas

Travellers Friend — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:24:06 +0000

Qantas is cutting more long-haul routes as it tries to accelerate the restructuring of its struggling international business. The Australian airline has already announced that it will axe its flights from Heathrow to Bangkok and Hong Kong from next month and today added that it would be suspending its Singapore-Mumbai and Auckland-Los Angeles routes from May. Qantas also said that 500 jobs would be cut.

Cathay to Launch Premium Class from London in May

Travellers Friend — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:45:24 +0000

Travellers can now purchase tickets for Cathay Pacific’s new premium economy cabin which will be introduced on London Services from May. The new seat will feature a 38-inch seat pitch, just over 19 inches of width, eight inches of recline, a 10.6-inch TV screen, in-seat power, a “multi-port connector for personal devices”, and extra storage space. Passenger will also benefit from priority check-in and boarding and increased baggage allowance, as well as an amenity kit, larger pillow, noise-cancelling headphones, and an “enhanced onboard meal selection”.

Hong Kong Airlines all Premium Class flights from Gatwick

Travellers Friend — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:42:15 +0000

Hong Kong Airline will launch all-premium class flights on their Gatwick -Hong Kong-service with Airbus A330-200s from March 7. The carrier will 34 first class and 82 business-class seats, to operate the service. The Hong Kong-based carrier, launched in 2006, operates a fleet of around 18 aircraft with its sister airline, Hong Kong Express Airways, on over 30 routes. Local industry analysts said the airlinee will face tough challenges on its all-premium flights because of competition from Cathay Pacific Airways and British Airways, as well as the gloomy global economic forecast.

Jamie Oliver to open new restuarant at Gatwick

Travellers Friend — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:34:01 +0000

Jamie Oliver is set to open his first airport restaurant at Gatwick’s North Terminal this summer. “Jamie Oliver at Gatwick”, which will open in June and will feature a Jamie’s Italian restaurant and Bakery – exclusively designed for Gatwick, serving a variety of take-away pizza, sweets and salads. It will also include a Union Jacks bar, a spin-off from the celebrity chef’s new chain, offering a range of British small plates including dishes from the Union Jacks menu and a selection of sandwiches. In addition, the bar will feature an “open beer” cellar offering a large number UK beers and an all-British wine list.