Budget Airline News

Birmingham Airport Celebrates Three New Passenger Records In July

Birmingham International Airport handled 1,036,135 passengers during July, becoming the highest month of July on record and smashing through the million passenger barrier for the first time in 2008. During the month, 718,958 scheduled passengers and 317,177 charter travellers used the Airport’s two terminals, an increase of 7.5% over the previous year. 

The Airport achieved another record last month as it exceeded the 9.5m passenger mark for first time in a rolling 12 month period.  From the 1st August 2007 to the 31st July 2008 the Airport has achieved a total of 9,530,628, which is an impressive increase of 4.3% over the previous 12 months total.

Manchester Airport Issues Fireworks Warning

Manchester Airport has issued new guidelines on the use of fireworks close to the airport and its flight paths and reminded people about the dangers of unauthorised fireworks to aircraft.

The airport has today issued detailed guidance on what type of fireworks can be let off where, and what permission is required to help protect pilots from the dazzle of unexpected displays. The new rules come as the wedding season and the associated firework displays get into full swing and bonfire party organisers start to think about their November 5th events.

Under the new guidelines only small fireworks up to a category 2 (see definition below) and no rockets can be let off up to 1.1 miles to either side of Manchester Airport or its flight paths. Between 3 and 5 miles from the airport and under the flight path categories 1,2 and 3 fireworks may be discharged but no rockets. Between 5 and 10 miles all category 1,2 and 3 fireworks are permitted.

There are also height restrictions on fireworks in each of the distance bands.

The airport has also announced plans to suspend operations on Saturday 1st November 2008 and Saturday 7th November 2009 between 20.15pm and 20.30pm to allow airport neighbours to hold fireworks displays. There will be no other suspensions.

Manchester Airport’s Community Relations Manager Wendy Sinfield said: “We’re not trying to spoil anyone’s fun and we know that fireworks and displays are increasingly popular but they can be dangerous to planes. Pilots can be dazzled by unexpected displays and we want to make sure that our aircraft are safe.

“These new rule offer very clear guidance on what people can do and we’re also suspending operations for 15 minutes on the two Saturday nights around November 5th to allow people to stage their displays.”

Dundee Airport Launches Amsterdam Flights Survey

People living in Dundee and the surrounding regions are to be surveyed to assess the potential demand for an air link between the city and Amsterdam.

Dundee Airport has launched an online survey today (Thursday 7^th August) to gather data on the potential for a direct air link to one of the world’s leading international hub airports.

The online survey at www.hial.co.uk/amsterdam-flights-survey.htm, which can be accessed via the Dundee Airport homepage within the www.hial.co.uk site, will help the airport determine how many people would use the service and how often they would do so.

A significant number of people from the airport’s catchment area currently fly to Amsterdam via Aberdeen and Edinburgh and the survey will gauge the potential market for direct flights from Dundee.

The information gathered from the online survey will be used as part of commercial discussions between Highlands and Islands Airports Limited airlines regarding Amsterdam services and strengthen the business cases that the airport is able to present to them.

Dundee Airport manager Graeme Bell said: “Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and Dundee Airport are committed to working with airlines to develop new scheduled routes for the City of Dundee and surrounding regions.

“As part of this work, we have launched a short online survey to assess the potential demand for direct flights between Dundee and Amsterdam. The more people who take five minutes to complete the survey the stronger our business case to airlines will be.

“A direct link to Amsterdam would be of enormous economic benefit to this area for business and leisure travel and is an important route development target for us,” said Mr Bell.

The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete and will close on Sunday 31 August 2008. A summary of the survey findings will be published on the www.hial.co.uk website in due course. Paper copies of the survey will also be available in the terminal building to enable airport users to complete them on site.

Confidentiality is guaranteed and no individuals will be identified in the reporting of the survey data, which will be processed according to the Data Protection Act (1998).

Dundee Airport handled 64,639 passengers in the year ending 31 March 2008, an increase of 22% on the previous year. Scheduled air services currently operate to London City with City Jet for Air France and Belfast and Birmingham with Flybe operated by Loganair.

New Shopping Experience Takes Off At Newcastle Airport

Customers at Newcastle Airport will discover a remarkable new shopping experience this summer with the launch today – 15^th July 2008 - of the new Biza store. The 1,000m2 store not only looks unlike any other airport tax and duty free store, it also offers an inspirational, exciting and satisfying airport shopping experience for the traveller.

Biza is unmissable – not least for the eye-catching monochromatic Biza logo that dominates the store entrance and draws customers in to discover their own Biza experience. The black and white, specially commissioned Biza illustration – which is featured on the fascia, carrier bags and gift wrap – completes the subtly stylish Biza image. Adapted from the word ‘bazaar’, Biza offers a contemporary interpretation of that eclectic shopping concept – combining the classic and the modern, the familiar and the un-expected, in a captivating shopping emporium.

Within the store a stunning ‘crystal pelmet’ hangs elegantly over the central display area, providing a sparkling focal point.  Biza’s stylish department store layout, with boutique-style groupings of products, is both easy and enjoyable to browse.  An inspirational range of products is available across a unique portfolio of brands, including a selection of products that are exclusive to BIZA in travel retail.

 

The store hosts a series of product ‘hubs’, which blend together as stages of the journey through the store. From Beauty to Confectionery, each has its own distinct identity and carries an enticing range of products to tempt the customer.

 

Reg Curtis, UK Managing Director of Alpha UK Retail comments: “When we created Biza, our aim was to offer our customers an emotive, engaging and, above all, really enjoyable shopping experience.  We wanted people to feel that their holiday had already begun, as they browsed the store, discovering the expected, as well as the unexpected!  Biza places Newcastle Airport at the cutting edge of travel retail innovation and gives the airport’s travellers an exceptional experience, that we believe will encourage them to make the store an essential destination on every journey they make.”

The store’s clear, walk through design enables customers to make a quick purchase before they ‘fast-track’ through to the departure gates.  Or they can take the time to enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and discover their own favourites from the imaginative product range.  The store design incorporates a stylish pattern of aeronautically inspired ‘fins’ on the ceiling that echoes the walk through path and help to further guide customers through the store. In-store display screens keep the customer updated on flight timings so they can really make full use of their ‘Biza time’.  And finally, to make the shopping experience as stress free and easy as possible, customers can choose to have their purchases delivered to their home with the ‘Fly Home Happy’ service offered in store.  It means less to carry whilst travelling and a home delivery, at an agreed time, of all the lovely purchases!

Gatwick Airport Gears Up For Summer

As the schools break up for the long summer holiday, BAA Gatwick is preparing for a busy weekend, with the start of the summer peak period.

Over the four days from Friday to Monday, over half a million passengers are expected to travel through the airport with Spain and Turkey topping the list of popular destinations for early summer holidays. Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Dalaman are the top three destinations, followed by Faro, Alicante, and Dublin. Edinburgh, at number eight in the list, is the most popular domestic destination and Orlando (at number nine) is the most popular long-haul route. Mahon is tenth most popular.

Passengers are reminded that they can carry small quantities of liquids through security which must be no larger than 100ml (gels, lotions, pastes, liquid cosmetics, foams and foodstuffs). They must be placed in a separate plastic sealed bag no larger than 20 centimetres square (approximately eight inches).

Passengers can find more information about security restrictions and travelling through the airport at www.gatwickairport.com/flyingstart.

Glasgow Airport Skyhub - 100 Days To Go

Glasgow Airport's £31 million skyhub extension is on course to open in less than 100 days, promising state of the art security screening, a wider choice of bars, shops and restaurants and a better airport experience.

The two storey development, the biggest single investment at BAA Glasgow for 15 years, will open on a phased basis - with a ground floor domestic arrivals hall scheduled to open on October 21, and a new security search area on the first floor due to open a few days later.

A great choice of new bars, shops and restaurants will also feature in the development, including some big high street names. Starbucks, Sunglass Hut, Hugo Boss and J D Wetherspoon are just some of the brand names already signed up for skyhub, with many more in the pipeline. A new Frankie and Benny's restaurant, also part of the skyhub project, opened earlier this year.

The purpose built security search area, which will house 10 x-ray machines, will ensure departing passengers are screened quickly and efficiently, allowing them more time to relax before their flight.

Once through security, passengers will be able to enjoy the full range of bars, shops, restaurants and lounges available in the terminal. With most shops located after security, passengers will also enjoy tax free prices, making it cheaper than ever to shop at the airport.

Glasgow Airport retail manager Gill Caleary said: "We are talking to some exciting retail brands and have already signed up some great names, including Hugo Boss. The opening of skyhub will allow us to bring many more retailers to Glasgow Airport, offering more choice for passengers."

Airport managing director Gordon Dewar added: "The opening of skyhub, now just 100 days away, promises a better airport experience for passengers at Glasgow Airport, with fast, efficient security screening, more space to relax and a wider choice of bars, restaurants and shops.

"At a cost of £31 million, skyhub is a significant investment by BAA Glasgow in customer service and security, and signals our commitment to put passengers first at Glasgow Airport."

An open day is planned in September, giving passengers a sneak preview of the new development ahead of its opening in October.

Aberdeen Airport Keep Ears Open For Noise Pollution

A four-day noise monitoring operation will be carried out around Aberdeen Airport from tomorrow, as part of the planning agreement reached with Aberdeen City Council which allows 24 hour operations.

The sites to be monitored include Gilbert Road, Bucksburn; Greenburn Road, Bucksburn; Cordyce View, Dyce; Union Row, Dyce; Dyce Drive, Overton and Newton Farm, Kirkhill.

In March 2005 the airport was granted permission by Aberdeen City Council for 24 hour operations, following a variation to an existing planning condition. The variation means fixed-wing flights can take off and land at the airport at any time.

A condition to the extension of the original planning consent, which previously only allowed the operation of flights between 0600 and 2230, was an annual requirement for ambient noise monitoring.

Despite a dramatic increase in passenger numbers in recent years, ambient noise levels have remained low.

The first monitoring exercise was carried out in June 2005. The specific aim of the exercise is to define and describe the existing noise environment at Aberdeen Airport, during both day and night time periods.

From tomorrow noise monitoring will be carried out around the airport site, through the hours of day and night at various locations. This work will be carried out by Enviros Consulting Ltd. The monitoring exercise will be concluded on Sunday July 20.

The airport’s environment manager Stuart Torpey, who will oversee the monitoring operation, said: “We are committed to ensuring our environmental impacts are monitored across the airport site, and through the annual noise monitoring exercise combined with other environmental monitoring regimes allow us to identify and target areas for improvement.

“These areas are assessed and incorporated into our annual corporate responsibility targets, which are externally verified and reported in the annual corporate responsibility report. Despite rising numbers of passengers travelling with Aberdeen Airport, our ambient noise levels have remained low. These results are shared with Aberdeen City Council’s planning and environmental health departments on an annual basis, and are available to members of the public.”

Holiday And Helicopter Flights Take Off At Aberdeen

The number of passengers travelling on offshore flights and sunshine services continued to rise at Aberdeen Airport last month.

Figures for international traffic at the North East’s biggest transport gateway increased by 1.3% in June, compared to the same month last year. Helicopter traffic also grew by almost 3%.

Overall passenger numbers fell slightly, with 302,145 passengers in June, down 1.9% on the previous year; bringing the number of passengers travelling through Aberdeen to 1.6 million this year so far.

The drop was largely a result of lower demand for domestic services, a trend which was mirrored across BAA’s Scotland’s three airports.

This is partly a response to the increasing availability, and growing popularity, of direct international services available from BAA’s three Scottish airports, but also reflects a drop in the number of flights operating and seats available for sale as airlines cut capacity in response to falling demand, rising fuel prices and higher taxes. The number of seats available for sale was 4% down on last year at Aberdeen.

Despite the drop in domestic traffic, many UK services from Aberdeen Airport outperformed last year’s figures with Birmingham up 4.5%, Manchester up 19.6% and Southampton up by 45%.

On the international front, Amsterdam, Stavanger and Paris were the three most popular overseas destinations, with the Barcelona the fastest growing.

The international charter market at Aberdeen also remains healthy with a 4.4% boost in passenger numbers, while low-cost carriers continue to prove ever-more popular with an impressive 44.9% increase on June 2007.

Managing Director Kevin Brown said: “With the summer schedule well underway, I am very pleased to see an increasing number of passengers now choosing to fly from their local airport to some of Europe’s most popular sunshine destinations.

“The fall in passenger numbers last month reflects a drop demand for domestic travel, a trend which is common to most UK airports, and a reduction in the number of seats for sale as airlines grapple with higher fuel prices. Nevertheless, the trend at Aberdeen is towards continued growth, particularly in the international market.”

He added: “This week we began work on a £2 million re-development of our forecourt area, leading to enhanced security and greater ease of access for our customers. Plans are also at an advanced stage for a number of other major projects included a new segregated international walkway. Aberdeen Airport is continuing to make great strides towards further improving the facilities and destinations we have to offer and our passengers can look forward to even more this year.”

Swissport Win Ground Handling Licence In South Africa

Swissport International, the world's leading supplier of ground handling services to the air transport sector, has been awarded a licence to provide such services at ten airports in South Africa. The licence, which will enter into effect on September 1 and will be valid for five years (with the option of a subsequent five-year renewal), will enable Swissport to further expand its present ground handling activities.

Swissport is no stranger to the South African market: the world industry leader provided its ground handling services at four airports in the country between 1998 and 2007. Last year the national airport authority reissued the country's two ground handling licences to new providers, forcing the existing handlers to reposition themselves in the market (Swissport's cargo services were unaffected by these developments).

In response to the new situation, Swissport South Africa embarked on a productive collaboration with South African Airways, under which the carrier has entrusted the ground handling of all its flights to Swissport since last February. In the meantime, the national airport authority has decided to open up the ground handling market to a third provider; and Swissport has now been awarded this third ground handling licence.

The new licence will enable Swissport to offer its services to other international and domestic airlines in addition to prime customer South African Airways. Swissport South Africa currently has a workforce of some 1 800 personnel and handles over 200 arrivals and departures a day.

"I am delighted that we have been awarded this new ground handling licence," says Willy Hallauer CEO of Swissport South Africa. "I'm sure that the outstanding expertise and the high service quality which we have been demonstrating daily for several months now were a key factor in securing it. And we're looking forward to welcoming many of our previous long-standing airline customers back on board."

The South African aviation sector has been steadily expanding and maturing over the past few years, and has now settled at a strong growth rate. Indeed, the latest projections paint a positive picture for air transport in Africa as a whole, with traffic volumes expected to be 8.9% up on their prior-year levels in the third quarter of 2008 and 10% up for the year as a whole.

Further sizeable growth is expected to be generated by the 2010 World Cup Finals, which are to be staged in South Africa, and the attractive business opportunities (and associated traffic flows) that the event should create. And this is a further reason why Swissport is keen to develop its long-term involvement in the country and is convinced that the local market holds strong growth and profit potential.

Cargo Plane Crashes And Splits In Two At Brussels

A Boeing 747 Cargo Plane has crashed at Brussels Zaventem Airport according to reports on Reuters.

The incident occurred at approx 11.30am today when the aircraft slid off the end of the runway whilst attempting to take off. According to reports the aircraft broke into two parts.

Firefighters quickly attending the scene. At the time of writing it is not known whether the crew escaped injury.