2007 Articles

BAA: Touchscreen machines increasing in number

Increasing number of passengers are making the airport experience simpler for themselves by making use of touchscreen machines, according to BAA.

A spokesperson for the airports operator said that there are a number of generic machines at hubs around the UK that allow fliers to carry out their own check-in procedures for their flights.

However he also explained that a number of major airlines are installing their own self-service machines as the trend becomes more popular.
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Stansted hosts new service to Munich

Stansted Airport hosted the launch of a new service to Munich on November 5th, provided by short-haul carrier Air Berlin.

The Munich flight is the eighth direct connection provided by Air Berlin between Stansted and Germany.

Flights are also available from the London hub to Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hanover, Nuremberg and Leipzig among others.
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Edinburgh reaches 100 destinations

Edinburgh Airport now offers 100 destinations to its passengers, an achievement that operator BAA claims is a result of multimillion pound investment in route development.

There has been a steep rise in the number of flights available from the Scottish hub in the past year, with 29 new routes confirmed in 2007 alone.

BAA Scotland has invested some £20 million in new and expanding airlines in the past 12 months.
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Bristol Airport to get Frankfurt link

Bristol Airport will be linked to Frankfurt in Germany next summer with the launch of a new service from Lufthansa.

Managers at the south-west hub said that the new service will connect local travellers to Lufthansa's "gateway to the world".

The German carrier operates an international network from its Frankfurt base consisting of 13,272 weekly flights to 188 destinations in 79 countries.
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Fiddler on the Roof extends run

Classic musical Fiddler on the Roof has had its booking period extended a further three months.

The curtain is now scheduled to fall for the final time at the Savoy Theatre on April 26th next year, according to the London Theatre Guide.

Fiddler on the Roof has been entertaining audiences at the Savoy since May 29th this year, when it was warmly received by critics, with the Times describing it as a "fine revival".
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One-bag limit 'on way out'

The air travel experience could soon be made easier for passengers with the removal of the one-bag limit on carry-on luggage, according to British Airways.

Commenting as the airline announced an operating profit of £556 million for the six-month period from April to September, chief executive Willie Walsh said that the restriction is expected to be lifted soon.

The rule was originally instated in order to heighten security on board aircraft.
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Manchester hosts first low-fares flights to Tel Aviv

Manchester Airport hosted its first low-fares flights to Tel Aviv this week when Thomsonfly launched services to the Israeli city.

The carrier's first flight from Manchester to Tel Aviv departed the north-west on November 1st and services will run three times a week.

Speaking earlier this year when the route was first announced, Thomsonfly commercial director Guy Stephenson said that the decision to begin flights to Tel Aviv was prompted by "huge demand" for an air link to the city.
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Gatwick travel centre 'puts passenger needs first'

A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport has claimed that the hub's new onward travel centre is focused on putting the needs of the passenger first.

Caroline Alderson, head of communications for the airport, said there were a number of factors that led to the creation of the travel centre, chief among which were passenger needs and environmental concerns.

"The environmental factor…[is] important to us," she said. "But also, it's about putting the passenger's needs first.
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Glasgow Skyhub development begins

Construction work has begun on a year-long project that will see an improved Glasgow Airport opening in October 2008.

Following half a year of enabling work, the £30 million Skyhub development of the Scottish airport is expected to undergo seven months of construction before opening to the public five months later.

Passengers travelling from Glasgow are expected to benefit from reduced security waiting times, increased capacity in the terminal and more comfort.
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Abta: France no 1 ski destination

People going on skiing holidays are most likely to jet off to one of the many resorts in France than anywhere else, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta).

Frances Tuke, PR manager for the association, said that Europe is by far the world's top destination for skiing holidays and France is the most popular spot within the continent, followed by Austria.

"Europe is definitely the most popular, with France being number one and Austria number two," she said.
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New Gatwick service to Jamaica launched

A new Virgin Atlantic service from Gatwick Airport to Kingston in Jamaica was launched on October 30th.

Flights will leave London every Tuesday and Saturday and return from the Caribbean every Wednesday and Sunday.

Virgin Atlantic chairman Richard Branson welcomed travellers on the inaugural flight to Kingston, which is the airline's second destination in Jamaica following the commencement of services to Montego Bay in July 2006.
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