2007 Articles

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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Online check-in 'benefits all'

An aviation industry spokesperson has lauded the increasingly popular trend of online check-in, saying that it is beneficial for both passengers and airlines.

James Freemantle of the Air Transport Users Council (AUC), which is the UK's consumer council for air travellers, said that the first benefit of web check-in is cost.

It is more cost-effective for airlines to check their passengers in online, he said, which increases the likelihood that customers will be offered cheaper fares.
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Four new routes from Belfast with easyJet

Belfast International Airport will play host to a total of 23 routes from easyJet by the end of this week after the airline launches four new services from the hub.

The carrier, which claims to be Northern Ireland's largest low-fares airline, will commence a service to Gdansk in Poland on October 30th, followed by flights to Prague and Venice on November 1st.

A new connection to Barcelona, which will open on November 3rd, will be the final addition to easyJet's services from Belfast International Airport.
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Cricketer launches new Manchester route

Former England cricketer Dominic Cork teamed up with Eastern Airways to help launch the carrier's new service from Manchester Airport to London Stansted.

The regional airline's new connection between the north-west and Stansted Airport commences on October 29th and takes over from the previous service provided by Air Berlin.

Eastern Airways operated the route for three years up until 2006. Its return to the service will see an increase in frequency of flights, with three departures and returns every weekday.
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AA touches down at Stansted

American Airlines (AA) landed at Stansted Airport today to mark the beginning of a new service between the south-east hub and New York JFK airport.

Hollywood actor Christian Slater cut the ribbon at Stansted to mark the opening of the new route, which will run on a daily basis from October 29th.

Stewart Wingate, managing director of the airport, described AA as a "world-renowned airline" and said its arrival was "fantastic news" for Stansted Airport.
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EasyJet 'strengthens position' at Gatwick

Low-fares airline easyJet has announced the acquisition of GB Airways, a development it said would further strengthen its position at Gatwick Airport.

The carrier announced that it had agreed to buy GB Airways, excluding its slots at Heathrow Airport, for £103.5 million.

GB Airways is a Gatwick-based point-to-point airline that served destinations in southern Europe and north Africa under a previous franchise agreement with British Airways.
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SAS to link Bristol to Oslo

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) is to provide a link from Bristol Airport to the Norwegian capital of Oslo.

The airline will launch the three-times-weekly return service on April 1st next year.

Earlier this year SAS commenced a seasonal summer service from Bristol Airport to Stockholm and the success of this route will lead to it being operated again in summer 2008.
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Gatwick to simplify onward travel

Passengers using Gatwick Airport will have the onward legs of their journeys made easier from October 29th with the opening of a new travel centre.

The structure will bring together all the public transport services available at Gatwick in one place, in the airport's south terminal on the site of the former smoking area.

Services from providers such as National Express Coaches, Southern Trains, Gatwick Express and other companies will be available at the onward travel centre.
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New Mauritius service from Heathrow

A new flight from Heathrow Airport to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius will be made available by Virgin Atlantic this week.

The carrier will launch its first flight to the island on October 28th, which will land on the morning of the following day.

On arrival in Mauritius the plane will be greeted by a water salute by the airport fire brigade and disembarking passengers will be welcomed by a local Creole band.
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Skiers 'lax on insurance'

The three million Brits who are expected to jet off on skiing holidays this winter have been urged to remember the importance of being fully insured for the activities they are taking part in.

According to a survey by esure, a quarter of Brits on winter holidays this year will not be properly insured.

Of these people, five per cent mistakenly believe that they will be fully covered for medical care by their European health insurance card.
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Nearly half a million use Gatwick over half-term weekend

Gatwick Airport handled nearly half a million passengers between October 19th and 22nd as thousands of families took advantage of the half-term break to go on holiday.

The busiest day of all was Friday October 19th, with around 115,000 passengers travelling from Gatwick.

Traditional holiday hotspots in countries such as Spain and Portugal were the most popular options from the London hub.
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