2008 Articles

Gatwick Airport could see second runway

A second runway could be built at Gatwick Airport following further speculation that BAA's ownership of airports will be broken up, it has been reported.

This week, the Competition Commission will rule on whether BAA's ownership of Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport and Stansted Airport should be broken up as recommended by the Office of Fair Trading.

Any new owner of Gatwick Airport would be able to push for a new runway as BAA's agreement with West Sussex County Council not to build a second runway before 2019 if it was allowed to build the North Terminal will no longer be valid.

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More airport Wi-Fi hotspots

An increasing number of passengers are being allowed to access the internet in airports thanks to the growing availability of Wi-Fi "hot spots" in airport lounges, it has been reported.

According to the Canadian Press, more people with laptops and other devices that make use of wireless technology, such as smart phones and computer consoles, can benefit from the free service.

Stan Schatt from the New York firm ABI Research commented: "Wi-Fi helps make the internet more accessible to people ... Once you get to the internet, then you can go look at your email, you can go to websites, you can pretty much do anything."

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New deal for airlines will benefit passengers

British Airways has signed a deal with fellow flag carrying airlines American Airlines and Iberia over a deal on flights between North America and Europe, the carrier has announced.

This joint business agreement will provide passengers with "easy, seamless and convenient" connections to a wide range of global flight destinations, the operators claimed.

British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said: "This strategic relationship strengthens competition by providing consumers with easier journeys to more destinations with better aligned schedules and frequencies."

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Refurbishment at Heathrow Airport

Terminal 4 at Heathrow Airport will be new and improved thanks to renovation work that is continuing to progress, according to reports.

Construction will be able to begin on the new check-in hall and terminal lounges after the first phase of steelwork is completed, which is due to be fully erected in a matter of days.

Julian Sheppard of Buro Happold told the New Civil Engineer: "The existing physical site-specific constraints and 'live' environment have made the project extremely challenging."

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Heathrow Airport has best lounge

Virgin Atlantic's clubhouse at Heathrow Airport has won the best business class lounge award in the SkyTrax world airline awards.

This is the second year in a row that Virgin's clubhouse has won the prize having beaten off stiff competition from British Airways' new lounge at Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport this time around.

Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic said: “We're thrilled that our Heathrow clubhouse has been chosen as the world's best haven for business travellers for the second year running."

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Madrid set to rock

Music lovers planning visit Madrid this summer may want to participate in an increasingly popular festival, according to reports.

Taking place on September 12th, the Metrorock Festival is one of Madrid's major music events which will see the best live music acts perform at Madrid Complutense University with over 30,000 revelers expected to attend.

Metrorock was originally an exhibition of rock photographs but was transformed into a music festival that has attracted a number of top independent bands.


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Tango in Dublin

Holidaymakers visiting Dublin later this month will be able to strut their stuff at a dance festival, according to reports.

The International Tango Festival has returned to the Irish capital for the sixth time and will take place from the 28th to the 31st of August in various destinations across the vibrant city.

Tango novices can learn the basics at workshops for beginners but are urged not to forget the red rose between their teeth.
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Brits plan to fly further

British travellers are more inclined to fly to long haul destinations from UK airports, according to a new study.

Europe has traditionally been the favourite place for British holidaymakers, hosting nine of the top ten overseas destinations according to the Office of National Statistics, but research from Cater Allen Private Bank claims Brits are willing to fly further.

According to the study, 63 per cent of Britons intend to holiday outside Europe this year while 21 per cent would prefer to fly to Australasia and 17 per cent would favour north America.
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Ryanair boss will not buy Stansted Airport

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has poured cold water on suggestions he is going to launch a bid for Stansted Airport, according to reports.

The Daily Telegraph reported last week that Mr O'Leary was considering a £2 billion offer for Stansted Airport and if successful he would have increased its passenger numbers.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr O'Leary said: "I'd take it up from 24 million passengers today to more than 40 million by halving landing fees for all. You could have a second runway for £150 million and second terminal for £250 million."
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Brits warned about travel insurance

British tourists are being urged not to cut corners on travel insurance after research revealed that many encounter problems when on holiday abroad.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) found, in its third annual 'British Behaviour Abroad' report, that 8,304 Britons needed assistance in the USA and 6,710 passports were lost in Spain between April 2006 and March 2007.

Foreign office minister Meg Munn said: "This report highlights what can go wrong on holiday. It is a reminder to all that taking out comprehensive travel insurance is a crucial part of your holiday planning and not something that should be sacrificed in order to save a few pounds."

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First mobile-enabled flight at Heathrow Airport

Emirates flew its first commercial flight to offer inflight mobile use into Heathrow Airport last week, it has been reported.

Around 20 per cent of the passengers on the Boeing 777 flight from Dubai to London on August 7th made use of the AeroMobile system to make more than 30 calls and exchange 100 texts.

Mobile use is still banned in UK airspace but it is expected to be approved in the near future and the Emirates system is only available on ten per cent of flights and when aircrafts are above 23,000 feet.
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