2007 Articles

Iata sets standard for mobile check-in

Iata sets standard for mobile check-in

The airport experience could be changed drastically over the coming years following the announcement by the International Air Transport Association (Iata) of a global standard for mobile phone check-in.

According to Iata the establishment of a system for distributing two-dimensional barcodes to be used as boarding passes "paves the way" for mobile check-in.

The procedure will see airlines sending unique barcodes to passengers, which will then be shown at airport check-in desks, removing the need for printed tickets.
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Blackpool linked to Ibiza

Blackpool Airport is to be given a new link to Ibiza from summer next year with flights operated by Jet2.com.

Connections will begin to the popular Balearic island from July 3rd.

Ibiza has developed into one of Europe's most popular destinations for British tourists owing to its mixture of nightlife and picturesque natural scenery.
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New Mediterranean route from Durham

Access to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus from Durham Tees Valley Airport will be boosted next year with new flights provided by flyglobespan.

The weekly service to Paphos will commence at the beginning of April and operate every Wednesday until the end of October 2008.

Hugh Lang, managing director of Durham Tees Valley Airport, said: "This new service to Paphos, Cyprus is great news for the airport and in particular the travelling public of the north-east giving them a greater choice of low cost services from their local airport.
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Broadway star comes to London's Spamalot

London's production of Spamalot will be joined by Marin Mazzie, who currently appears in the Broadway version of the show, with Hannah Waddingham going in the opposite direction.

The pair currently play the Lady of the Lake character in the English and American versions of the comedy musical.

Waddingham will make her Broadway debut as a result of the swap while Mazzie will be returning to the English capital.
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Airport expansion 'could help cut emissions'

A spokesperson for the airline industry has said that, contrary to the protests of environmental campaigners, airport expansion could actually help reduce carbon emissions.

According to Lesley Shepherd, manager of corporate communications at the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), increased capacity could mean that aircraft can land quicker and spend less time in the air.

She claimed that holding patterns are in place at many airports as there is not enough capacity to handle the planes coming in to land.
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Biofuel development 'could help airports'

Airports, passengers and local communities could all benefit from the development of biofuel for aircraft, Virgin Atlantic has claimed.

A spokesman for the airline stressed the importance of innovation in the aviation market if the climate change issue is to be addressed.

He explained that Virgin Atlantic is focusing on the development of biofuel, which is derived from natural sources, and plans to carry out a demonstration flight in partnership with Boeing and engine maker GE next year.
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Southampton Airport 'key part' of business success

Southampton/Eastleigh Airport has played a 'key role' in the city being voted the sixth best location in the UK for international transport links, according to airport operator BAA.

The airport was named one of the UK's major international travel hubs in the 2007 Cushman & Wakefield UK Cities Monitor report.

Research was carried out among senior executives from the top 200 companies around the UK, examining the key issues that are taken into account when firms consider where to locate their business.
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New Poland services to launch from Cardiff, EMA

Cardiff Airport and Nottingham/East Midlands Airport (EMA) passengers will have access to new services to Poland next year with low-fares airline bmibaby.

The carrier said that it will begin flights to the port town of Gdansk from February 9th, departing East Midlands three times a week and taking off from Cardiff twice a week.

EMA will be the base for four weekly bmibaby flights to Warsaw from February 20th, while the connection between Cardiff and the Polish capital will be operated three times every seven days.
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EMA wins regional award

Nottingham/East Midlands Airport (EMA) was named the best UK regional airport at the Travel Bulletin 2007 Star Awards.

The hub had to overcome stiff competition from bases including Birmingham Airport and Manchester Airport to take the accolade.

Reportedly one of the most prestigious events in the industry's calendar, the Star Awards is designed to mark the achievements of the travel market and uses votes from trade professionals to decide the winners.
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Thailand welcomes more UK visitors in '06

Thailand enjoyed continued popularity with UK tourists last year, with new figures revealing that 9.5 per cent more people visited the country in 2006 than the previous year.

Over 745,000 travellers headed from the UK to the south-east Asian country, while nearly 57,000 departed Ireland for Thailand, which represents a 14 per cent rise.

With a combined total of over 802,000 visitors throughout 2006, the UK and Ireland has more travellers departing its shores on the way to Thailand than any other non-Asian country.
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Numbers up for Birmingham in September

Birmingham Airport has announced an increase in its passenger numbers in September, with a total of 969,407 travellers passing through the hub.

Some 642,182 scheduled passengers used the airport last month and 327,225 people used charter services, representing an increase of two per cent on the previous year.

EU routes saw growth of over eight per cent in passengers in September, while non-EU routes saw passenger numbers increase by nearly five per cent.
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