2008 Articles

More passengers use Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport has announced healthy passenger figures for the month of September.

The hub carried 984,245 passengers in the month, an increase of 1.5 per cent on the previous year, while it's two terminals comprised 687,139 scheduled travellers and 297,106 charter customers.

A number of specific routes from Birmingham Airport saw a year-on-year increase in traffic in September, including its services to Bratislava, Milan and Paris.

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Airline strike could hit Belfast International Airport

Passengers using Belfast International Airport this winter have been warned that Aer Lingus services could be disrupted if employees vote in favour of industrial action.

The airline's employees are reacting to the news that around 1,500 jobs will be lost and significant outsourcing measures will be implemented as Aer Lingus announced it is attempting to cut costs by £57 million.

Trade union Siptu has suggested that it will ballot its members for full-scale industrial action that would cause the cancellation of hundreds of flights from Belfast International Airport over the coming months.

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Stansted Airport expansion approved

Plans for the expansion of Stansted Airport in Essex have been approved by the government.

Uttlesford District Council had previously blocked the project on the grounds of noise and environmental concerns but the government overruled the council following an appeal by airport operator BAA.

Stansted Airport managing director Stewart Wingate said: "We are naturally delighted that the Secretaries of State have granted permission for the next phase of growth at Stansted."

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Stricter security at Newcastle Airport

Security at Newcastle Airport is set to be tightened following a plea from air crews and the British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa), reports the Chronicle.

Balpa got in touch with Newcastle Airport to advise them to stop people using laser pens at the hub after a pilot was temporarily blinded approaching Cardiff Airport in a recent incident.

Keith Bill, spokesman for Balpa, told the Chronicle: "We have urged security groups at Newcastle and the police to up patrols and be extra vigilant at the moment. Our pilots at Newcastle are extremely concerned that incidents are increasing."

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Fewer noise complaints at Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport has received fewer complaints about noise made by the hub's aircraft, according to reports.

Airport operator BAA announced the news at Stansted's eighth annual noise seminar at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford that although the number of aeroplanes has increased the amount of complaints has reduced.

Stansted Airport commercial and development director Nick Barton, said: "We continue to champion the use at Stansted of the world's most modern, clean and efficient aircraft - the type operated by low-cost airlines that operate here."

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Luton Airport to invest in customer experience

Luton Airport has announced it will invest £2 million in improving the experiences of customers at its facility in Bedfordshire.

The investment will be focussed on the central terminal area of the airport, which is set to undergo a major development that will be of benefit to all passengers.

A statement from the airport's operators also noted how the works at the airport will provide easier access in conjunction with the opening of the East Luton Corridor road.

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New destination from Manchester Airport

Budget airline easyJet has announced it will begin new services from Manchester Airport to Sofia later this year.

From December 11th, the low-cost carrier will begin flying to the Bulgarian capital three times weekly, while it was confirmed that the fares will cost £29.99 for a one way ticket and £33.99 return.

This new service comes in addition to the airline's existing route to Sofia from Gatwick Airport, which operates daily.

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More choice from Leeds/Bradford Airport

Low-cost Irish carrier Ryanair has announced new flights from Leeds/Bradford Airport to the Spanish city of Girona.

The new service will fly four times a week from the Yorkshire hub, in addition to another new service to Alicante which will begin on October 28th.

Leeds/Bradford Airport spokesman, Tony Hallwood, noted that the increasing demand for Spanish flights from the airport was behind these new routes, saying: "We are delighted to see the start of these new services with Ryanair.

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Alitalia could be relaunched

Troubled airline Alitalia could be relaunched within a month thanks to a government rescue package, according to reports.

The airline, which is the national carrier of Italy, looked as if it could be headed for oblivion before an agreement was reached on a deal that will see it receive some €2 billion (£1.56 billion) in government funding.

There are likely to be a number of changes to Alitalia's operations, however, with its network substantially reduced and one in three jobs likely to be cut, Travel Weekly reports.

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New routes from Luton Airport

Wizz Air has announced a new route from Luton Airport to Romania as part of a Europe-wide expansion initiative.

The low-cost Polish carrier will begin operating a service from Timisoara to Luton Airport from October 27th, with three flights per week.

There will also be an increase in weekly frequency for the airline's services from Luton Airport to Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest, from four to six and from seven to ten flights per day respectively.

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Strike grounds Ryanair flights

A number of Ryanair flights from Birmingham Airport have been cancelled due to strike action, it has been reported.

The budget Irish carrier has been forced to cancel 25 flights due to strikes by Boeing employees, which will delay the delivery of its new aircraft.

Between October 24th and the 28th the flights, across 21 routes, will not fly to such destinations as Bologna, Oslo and Prague.

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