Budget Airline News

Prime Ministerial Approval for Flybe Training

In a ceremony with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Flybe will today (Jan 26, 2008) achieve yet another significant national first – that of being named as one of only three companies in the UK to have achieved the high standards required to become an Awarding Body for Flybe’s own approved qualifications.

The Exeter-based airline, employing 3000 staff, has long put training at the heart of its business and was the only UK airline to sign the Government Skills Pledge on 14th June 2007.

As a result of today’s accolade, Flybe will now be able to award certificates up to the equivalent of of degree level. Flybe training programmes will confer qualifications from level 2 (GCSE at A*-C) to level 4 (degree) to its cabin and engineering crew.

Jim French, Flybe Chairman and Chief Executive said:

“This is a tremendous honour for Flybe and is testament to our first class training and development programmes.

Our position alongside the two other major UK employers being  given Awarding Body status is relevant not just because of the Sectors that they represent (both of which are very different) but because, as a business that sets and achieves high standards within a necessarily highly regulated industry, we have met the demanding Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA) standards in our own right in our Sector – being the first airline in the UK to achieve this, an achievement that we are extremely proud of”.

Flybe announces 3 new Routes from Newcastle!

Flybe, Europe’s largest low-cost regional airline, today announces some great news for Newcastle and the North East with the launch of a new three time’s weekday service from Newcastle to London Gatwick starting Sunday March 30.

Lead-in fares are from £21.99 one way including taxes and charges and flights can be booked from today at www.flybe.com.

Says Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer, Flybe: “We recognise the strategic importance of this key route to the capital and are pleased to be in a position to step in and save this lifeline service for the people of Newcastle and the North East. Indeed, we purchased these Gatwick slots in the teeth of opposition from other carriers who wanted to use those slots to serve European destinations, not Newcastle.”

“We realise the importance of maintaining choice on this key business route, so as well as a business-friendly schedule, we will be opening new Business Lounge at Newcastle Airport. And what’s more, our state of the art aircraft will lead to a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of this service.

“We are also announcing direct routes from Newcastle to Aberdeen six days a week (starting 30th March) and a weekly summer service to Rennes in France (starting 24th May), both destinations of which have proved extremely popular with our passengers around the UK. This expansion shows our commitment to the North East and we look forward to introducing even more destinations in the future.”

Rutter continued: “Flybe is Europe’s largest regional low cost airline and has long targeted growth in the North East region. Flybe will make further announcements of new route deployment during 2008. Flybe is proud to extend its service to the people of the North East.”

Dave Laws, chief executive of Newcastle International Airport commented:

“We welcome the investment and commitment that Flybe have shown to the North East and to Newcastle International.  The continuation of affordable and convenient access to London Gatwick is extremely important for business and leisure customers in the region. Furthermore, the airline’s plans for additional route development over the coming year is excellent news for the airport and promises even greater choice and exciting new destinations for North East travellers. 

“We also welcome Flybe’s commitment to environmental mitigation, with their new fuel efficient aircraft set to operate on the Gatwick service.  Environmental management is at the top of our agenda at Newcastle and we’re delighted that the airline’s operation here will help support our efforts to reduce carbon emissions."

Jet2.com has announced it will cease flying between Newcastle and London Gatwick on 29th March and all passengers booked on this service from March 30th can transfer to Flybe at no additional cost.

SkyEurope: Buy one and get the second ticket absolutely for free!

SkyEurope Airlines is launching the ultimate St. Valentine’s promotion. Two passengers can now fly for the price of one – Book any flight for two passengers and the second passenger will fly completely free - no airfare, taxes or charges!

SkyEurope launches this most exciting St. Valentine’s promotion ever for travel period between 29^th January and 31^st May with tickets on sale until 8^th February. For getting one ticket absolutely free the passengers shall just use special promo-code “love”.

Additionally SkyEurope offers variety of SkyGift vouchers with 14% St. Valentine’s free bonus. SkyGift vouchers make an airticket the best St. Valentine’s present.

Steven Greenway, CCO of SkyEurope said: „Our St.Valentine’s promo is certainly one of the most extraordinary in the history of the airline. I am sure with such an exciting campaign everybody will fall in love with SkyEurope and our hot summer destinations.“

Check out www.skyeurope.com in order to book your Valentine and yourself a ticket starting from 29 EUR all inclusive.

‘Name that View’ at Jet2.com/36 for your chance to win 10,000 FREE flights!

Jet2.com will be celebrating its 5th birthday in February with its biggest EVER flight giveaway! 10,000 flights are up for grabs for those who can ‘Name that view’ correctly from our 36 destinations served from Leeds Bradford airport!

10,000 flights are for the taking but once they’re gone they’re gone! The competition opens at 10am 12th February so make sure you’re fingers are poised over your computer to be in with a chance to win!    

To  enter is simple, log on to www.jet2.com/36 and start researching the different views in time for the big day - 12th February 08.  Then at 10am on Tuesday 12th February the competition goes LIVE and you can enter your answers online at www.jet2.com/36.

Crete, Cyprus, Toulouse, Murcia, Milan, Sardinia, Avignon, Hamburg how well do you know your Jet2.com destinations? Go on, test your knowledge and take on your friends & family! There are 36 destinations to choose from so don’t delay get researching today!    

There’s  just under 5 million people in Yorkshire & Humberside so don’t miss the  10am rush to win the free flights!

Terms  & conditions apply. See www.jet2.com/36 for full details.

Asa Quango Rules Picture of Fully Clothed Girl is Offensive

Ryanair has condemned the latest absurd ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority quango which claims that the attached picture of a fully clothed model, which ran in three UK daily newspapers “appeared to link teenage girls with sexually provocative behaviour and was irresponsible and likely to cause serious or widespread offence”.

 

Ryanair criticised this ruling as remarkable even by the absurd standards of the ASA quango.  Ryanair wonders how the attached picture of a fully clothed model can be irresponsible or offensive, when it appeared in mainstream British newspapers which frequently run pictures of topless models or photographs of celebrities in various stages of undress.

 

The ASA quango also bizarrely claimed that this ad would not have been found offensive if it ran in the tabloids, but was offensive because it appeared in the Herald, the Daily Mail and the Scottish Mail.  This is clearly subjective censorship and not impartial regulation of advertising.

 

Criticising this latest silly judgement from the ASA quango, Ryanair’s Peter Sherrard said: “The ASA becomes more Monty Pythonesque by the day.  This latest ruling shows how absurd and out of touch this quango really is.  It is remarkable that a picture of a fully clothed model is now claimed to cause “serious or widespread offence”, when many of the UK’s leading daily newspaper regularly run pictures of topless or partially dressed females without causing any serious or widespread offence.

 

“This isn’t advertising regulation, it is simply censorship.  This bunch of unelected, self appointed dimwits are clearly incapable of fairly and impartially ruling on advertising.

“At a time when TV and media advertising is full of suggestive and provocative images, Ryanair believes that there is nothing either irresponsible or offensive in the attached advert.  Consequently we will not be withdrawing this ad and we will not provide the ASA (Absurd Silly Asses) with any of the undertakings they seek.”

Ryanair Responds to Legal Action from President Sarkozy & Ms Carla Bruni

Ryanair, France’s largest low fares airline today (Thursday, 31 January 2008) responded to a legal action launched by President Sarkozy and Ms Carla Bruni, relating to a humorous advert, which ran in the Le Parisien newspaper last week.

 

Ryanair has previously written to President Sarkozy’s office apologising for any offence caused, and undertaking that it would not publish the advert (or anything similar to it) again. Ryanair has also offered - as a token of its regret – to make a donation of €5,000 to any charity of President Sarkozy’s choice.

 

Last evening however, Ryanair received legal papers from President Sarkozy and Ms Bruni under which President Sarkozy was seeking damages of €1, but Ms Bruni was seeking damages of €500,000. Ryanair’s lawyers will today tell the French Courts that they are happy to settle President Sarkozy’s claim for €1 and Ryanair will renew its offer to make a charitable contribution of €5,000 to any charity of President Sarkozy’s choice. Ryanair has the utmost respect for President Sarkozy and the high office which he holds.

 

Ryanair’s lawyers will also make a similar offer to Ms Bruni, offering damages of €1 and a contribution of €5,000 to any charity of Mr Bruni’s choice. Ryanair will not however agree to any totally unjustified payment of €500,000 to Ms Bruni, who has engaged in an open, widely publicised and internationally reported relationship with President Sarkozy. The advert used by Ryanair was taken from one of the French newspapers and Ryanair notes that Ms Bruni did not make any objection to any of the remaining thousands of photographs of her which have appeared in over 55,000 newspapers and magazines in recent weeks.

 

Speaking today Ryanair’s Peter Sherrard said: “We apologised immediately and sincerely to both President Sarkozy and Ms Bruni for this advert which ran in Le Parisien newspaper this week. It was an honest attempt by Ryanair to reflect humorously and positively on this very public and publicised relationship.

 

“However Ryanair has no intention of giving in to threats from Ms Bruni or to her ludicrous claims and we will vigorously oppose any claim for €500,000 from this lady who had engaged in one of the most open, publicised and internationally reported relationships, in the world, in recent weeks.

 

“We do however renew our sincere apologies to both President Sarkozy and to Ms Bruni and believe that an appropriate payment to a charity of their choice would be the best and most elegant way to resolve this matter”.

easyJet completes acquisition of GB Airways

easyJet today announced that the acquisition by its wholly-owned subsidiary, easyJet Airline Company Limited of GB Airways Limited (“GB Airways”) from its parent, Bland Group Limited has now been successfully completed following final regulatory clearances on 18th January. The acquisition has been completed in line with the timescales outlined in October when the intention to purchase was first announced. easyJet paid £103.5 million in cash for GB airways of which £11.5 million is held in an escrow.

Andy Harrison, Chief Executive of easyJet said:

“We are delighted to have completed this transaction and we welcome the GB Airways staff transitioning across to become part of the easyJet team. The deal enhances easyJet’s customer offering of low cost with care and convenience and will create value for shareholders.”
The acquisition of GB Airways strengthens easyJet’s position as the leading short haul airline in the UK operating around 18% of available seats. easyJet is now able to offer its customers more routes at convenient times from two major UK airports – London Gatwick and Manchester. easyJet will now carry more passengers from Gatwick than any other airline and the GB Airways acquisition means that easyJet will be offering services from Manchester for the first time.

The integration of GB Airways into easyJet is progressing well - its routes are already on sale via easyJet.com and plans are in place to ensure a smooth transition by GB Airways to the easyJet Air Operators Certificate. As part of the integration process synergy benefits in the areas of overheads, insurance, ground handling, aircraft ownership and ancillary revenues have been identified and over the medium term easyJet will be able to drive further benefit from the acquisition as it optimises its network. In the current financial year, before exceptional costs of around £12 million, the acquisition will be earnings enhancing.

Routes:

From London Gatwick to:	From Manchester
Ajaccio (Corsica)1	Heraklion (Crete) 1
Alicante	Innsbruck (Until 3apr)
Bastia (Corsica)1	Malta 1
Corfu 1	Malaga
Dalaman (Turkey)1	Paphos (Cyprus 1
Faro	Tenerife 1
Gibraltar 1	.
Gran Canaria 1	.
Heraklion (Crete)1	.
Hurghada (Egypt)1(Until 30apr)	.
Ibiza	.
Innsbruck	.
Lanzarote 1	.
Madeira	.
Mahon (Menorca)	.
Malaga	.
Malta 1	.
Marrakech	.
Montpellier 1	.
Mykonos 1	.
Nantes 1	.
Palma (Majorca)	.
Paphos (Cyprus)1	.
Rhodes 1	.
Sharm El Sheik 1	.
Tenerife1	.

¹ New destinations to the easyJet network

Flyglobespan's Tom Dalrymple Announced 15th Most Successul Entrepreneur In The UK

Flyglobespan's success has been recognised by Management Today magazine which has placed Tom Dalrymple as 15th most successful entrepreneur in the UK.

The news comes as the publication releases its annual league table of the top 100 entrepreneurs for 2008, based on the success of the companies that each candidate has founded.

The league table is a Whose Who of Britain's top wealth creators, and is seen by Tom as a reflection on everyone at flyglobespan's efforts in achieving such a high position in this prestigious list.

Tom Dalrymple's 15th position is ahead of a number of well-known and highly respected entrepreneurs including Christian Rucker of The White Company, Linda Bennett of luxury shoe company LK Bennett, Sir Anthony Bamford of JCB, the construction equipment company, and Mark and Mo Constantine of Lush Cosmetics.

Tom is also the second most successful Scottish entrepreneur to make the list, just a few positions behind Sir David Murray who is in 11th place.

The ranking position of the entrepreneurs has been based on three main indicators - employment figures, turnover growth and a valuation of their stake in the business and other assets.

Birmingham Airport More Choice To Hamburg

A new daily service will begin on March 31st to Hamburg with Lufthansa, adding to the existing capacity from BIA to the German business and leisure destination.

The flight will operate Monday to Saturday departing Birmingham at 08:15 and arriving into Hamburg at 10:55. The return flight will leave Hamburg at 07:00 the following day, landing into Birmingham at 07:45.

Lufthansa fares, inclusive of all taxes & charges, start from £39 one way and £79 return in Economy Class, with alternative fares available in the Business Class cabin. To book or find out more go to www.lufthansa.com

Manchester Airport - Road Closure Outwood Lane

As part of a £15 million scheme to create an extra platform at Manchester Airport’s station, Network Rail will be sliding a new bridge into position under one of the main access roads to the airport, Outwood Lane.

Outwood Lane will be closed from 22:00 on Friday 15 February until the early hours of Monday 3 March.

Outwood Lane is the main road to Terminals 1 and 3 and passes over the ends of the station platforms. To accommodate the extra platform, Network Rail needs to dig across under the road and slide a new supporting bridge into place – the equivalent weight of ten jumbo jets. To do that, the road will be closed and a well signed diversion will be put in place for anyone travelling by car to Terminals 1 or 3 while the roadworks are taking place

Road traffic will continue to be directed off the M56 at junction 5 but Terminal 1 traffic will be diverted via Terminal 2 past the Station and Terminal 3 traffic will be routed up Ringway Road West and onto Ringway Road past Premier Park and the Airport Hotel.

Bob Longworth, Manchester Airport’s Capacity Planning Manager explained: “It is impossible to predict how much longer road users should allow but we don’t expect major disruption. However, the morning and evening peak periods are always busy so we are advising people not to leave a little extra time for the trip.

“Because the majority of people who work at the airport park their cars in Staff West only a minority are likely to be affected by the closure of Outwood Lane.”

Once completed, a third rail platform at the Station will mean significant improvements for passengers starting or ending their journey by rail. As well as more capacity for future services, the third platform will also mean greater reliability and punctuality for trains calling at the airport as well as relieving rail congestion around the Piccadilly station area.

Commenting on the work, Gary Openshaw, Network Rail’s Area General Manager said it was vital to meet future demand for travel to the airport: “At the moment there are only two platforms at the airport and with over 300 trains a day calling there, we often have to have a couple of trains in the same platform at any one time.

Rail passengers will be largely unaffected by the work except for the weekend of 16 and 17 February when trains between Manchester Piccadilly and the airport will be replaced by coaches. Passengers should check their travel plans either by calling their train operator, by calling national Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or by logging on to www.nationalrail.co.uk

The £15 million project is being jointly funded by Network Rail, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and The Northern Way, and Manchester Airport is leasing the land needed for the extra platform to Network Rail. Train services are provided by TransPennine Express and Northern.