Air Berlin PLC, said Thursday that it plans to start flying to Irbil and Sulaimaniyah in northern Iraq.
The first flight to Irbil will take off from Munich on Saturday, the company said. Flights initially are planned every two weeks, alternating between Sulaimaniyah and Irbil, both of them in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq.
Air Berlin said it plans to increase the frequency of flights from this summer, but didn't give further details.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Ryanair going to cut Dublin flights
Chief Executive Michael O'Leary blamed government-regulated charges, rather than Ireland's recession, for a rapid fall over the past year in Irish traffic.
Ryanair, Ireland's major airline, announced Thursday it will slash its Dublin flights by 19 percent this summer and cut 150 jobs in protest at airport fees and an Irish government passenger tax.
O'Leary told a Dublin press conference his airline would boost Irish traffic this year if the airport and government would cut charges and taxes, but instead expected to carry 3 million fewer Irish passengers in 2010.
Europe's most profitable airline has railed for years against the Dublin Airport Authority and its slow development of a new terminal at the capital's overcrowded lone airport. Ryanair, the airport's major tenant, has insisted it needs only Spartan facilities and blames the project for a government-approved 40 percent rise in charges.
Ryanair said its flights in and out of Dublin would fall 19 percent to below 500 per week starting in April. The airline, headquartered in Dublin, estimated this cutback would mean 2,000 lost jobs in airline support services but declined to provide details.
On top of that, Ireland's cash-strapped government last year imposed a new euro10 ($14) fee per air passenger that O'Leary has branded a "tourist tax" designed to deter people from visiting Ireland.
The government and Dublin Airport Authority did not respond to O'Leary's latest criticisms.
Ryanair is increasingly redeploying its fleet of Boeing 787-400s away from higher-charge Ireland and Britain in favor of lower-charge regional airports in continental Europe. New Ryanair bases opening this year include Faro in Portugal, Malaga in Spain, and Bari and Brindisi in Italy.
But analysts agree that such moves chiefly represent Ryanair's efforts to put more aircraft into more attractive, developing markets in favor of the already crowded, highly competitive British-Irish arena, with lower fees a bonus.
Reflecting that opportunism, Ryanair announced Thursday that, despite its claim of high fees driving airline business out of Dublin, it would introduce 37 new flights per week this summer from Dublin to the most sought-after Mediterranean and Atlantic sun spots.
This move follows the collapse two months ago of Budget Travel, Ireland's largest package-holiday operator, which specialized in charter flights out of Ireland. Ryanair said it would more than double its Dublin flights to Barcelona, Spain, and open two new routes to the Canary Islands.
Ryanair said these new flights were included in the airline's claim of an overall cut of 19 percent of flights at Dublin in the April-September period.
Ryanair shares rose 1.5 percent to euro3.44 ($4.85) amid a flat market on the Irish Stock Exchange.
Ryanair, Ireland's major airline, announced Thursday it will slash its Dublin flights by 19 percent this summer and cut 150 jobs in protest at airport fees and an Irish government passenger tax.
O'Leary told a Dublin press conference his airline would boost Irish traffic this year if the airport and government would cut charges and taxes, but instead expected to carry 3 million fewer Irish passengers in 2010.
Europe's most profitable airline has railed for years against the Dublin Airport Authority and its slow development of a new terminal at the capital's overcrowded lone airport. Ryanair, the airport's major tenant, has insisted it needs only Spartan facilities and blames the project for a government-approved 40 percent rise in charges.
Ryanair said its flights in and out of Dublin would fall 19 percent to below 500 per week starting in April. The airline, headquartered in Dublin, estimated this cutback would mean 2,000 lost jobs in airline support services but declined to provide details.
On top of that, Ireland's cash-strapped government last year imposed a new euro10 ($14) fee per air passenger that O'Leary has branded a "tourist tax" designed to deter people from visiting Ireland.
The government and Dublin Airport Authority did not respond to O'Leary's latest criticisms.
Ryanair is increasingly redeploying its fleet of Boeing 787-400s away from higher-charge Ireland and Britain in favor of lower-charge regional airports in continental Europe. New Ryanair bases opening this year include Faro in Portugal, Malaga in Spain, and Bari and Brindisi in Italy.
But analysts agree that such moves chiefly represent Ryanair's efforts to put more aircraft into more attractive, developing markets in favor of the already crowded, highly competitive British-Irish arena, with lower fees a bonus.
Reflecting that opportunism, Ryanair announced Thursday that, despite its claim of high fees driving airline business out of Dublin, it would introduce 37 new flights per week this summer from Dublin to the most sought-after Mediterranean and Atlantic sun spots.
This move follows the collapse two months ago of Budget Travel, Ireland's largest package-holiday operator, which specialized in charter flights out of Ireland. Ryanair said it would more than double its Dublin flights to Barcelona, Spain, and open two new routes to the Canary Islands.
Ryanair said these new flights were included in the airline's claim of an overall cut of 19 percent of flights at Dublin in the April-September period.
Ryanair shares rose 1.5 percent to euro3.44 ($4.85) amid a flat market on the Irish Stock Exchange.
flights from Durham Tees Valley
Durham Tees Valley Airport: New cheap flight availability has been announced this week which is hoped will bring an extra 18,000 cheap flight seats per annum to Durham Tees Valley Airport. The airport previously known as Teeside has suffered a number of blows to capacity as airlines and tour operators have pulled out of the airport in the North East. These new flights are good news for our clients.
A major tour operator has plans to fly several new routes from November, this will include it is hoped, the first departure from Durham Tees Valley to Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea Riviera of Egypt, a flight to Tenerife in the Canary Islands and cheap flights to Malaga Spain. These are prime winter sun destinations and we see them being a real success say airflights.
The news is heralded as a real boost to the airport located near Darlington, which has been savaged by cuts in services by some budget flight operators.
A major tour operator has plans to fly several new routes from November, this will include it is hoped, the first departure from Durham Tees Valley to Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea Riviera of Egypt, a flight to Tenerife in the Canary Islands and cheap flights to Malaga Spain. These are prime winter sun destinations and we see them being a real success say airflights.
The news is heralded as a real boost to the airport located near Darlington, which has been savaged by cuts in services by some budget flight operators.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Air fares to Ireland will rise
The budget airline, renowned for its no-frills approach to flying, is hopeful about the year to come after cutting several loss-making routes and benefiting from a drop in fuel prices.
But the Irish airline has warned that its increasing financial stability will not prevent price hikes on flights to and from Ireland.
Ryanair has raised its profit forecast after reporting that the carrier performed better in the the third quarter of 2009 than predicted.
Blaming the Irish Government for imposing a 10 euro tourist tax on flights from Ireland, the airline has confirmed that after absorbing the cost in the past year, it will have to pass on the tax to customers.
Ryanair spokesperson Stephen McNamara told TravelMail: "Airlines like Ryanair and Aer Lingus have been absorbing the 10 euro tax on flights from Ireland but it is not sustainable so we will at some point have to pass it on to customers. We think increased prices will come in late this year or early 2011."
But in other areas, the airline has taken a bigger bite of the flights cherry compared to rivals British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa.
"We have already increased our market share significantly and will continue to do so as the customer becomes more price conscious," said Mr McNamara.
"We will make sure that we continue to be the lowest fare operator."
Ryanair's CEO, Michael O-Leary, reported that market conditions still remain difficult but said he expected further market share gains in Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, and the UK this year.
Despite the good financial news, the airline is still suffering from a bad reputation for its added costs and complicated website.
But the airline is dismissive of the claims, saying that the OFT representative made some glaring errors in his criticism and citing compliments about its website from other organisations.
Mr McNamara said: "The transparency of our website has been complimented by the EU. And I think if we are getting it right for the EU we don't need to worry about the OFT."
The Office of Fair Trading accused Ryanair of being "puerile and childish" over its online payment policy and criticised the company for the extras which are often added on to the basic flight price.
But the Irish airline has warned that its increasing financial stability will not prevent price hikes on flights to and from Ireland.
Ryanair has raised its profit forecast after reporting that the carrier performed better in the the third quarter of 2009 than predicted.
Blaming the Irish Government for imposing a 10 euro tourist tax on flights from Ireland, the airline has confirmed that after absorbing the cost in the past year, it will have to pass on the tax to customers.
Ryanair spokesperson Stephen McNamara told TravelMail: "Airlines like Ryanair and Aer Lingus have been absorbing the 10 euro tax on flights from Ireland but it is not sustainable so we will at some point have to pass it on to customers. We think increased prices will come in late this year or early 2011."
But in other areas, the airline has taken a bigger bite of the flights cherry compared to rivals British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa.
"We have already increased our market share significantly and will continue to do so as the customer becomes more price conscious," said Mr McNamara.
"We will make sure that we continue to be the lowest fare operator."
Ryanair's CEO, Michael O-Leary, reported that market conditions still remain difficult but said he expected further market share gains in Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, and the UK this year.
Despite the good financial news, the airline is still suffering from a bad reputation for its added costs and complicated website.
But the airline is dismissive of the claims, saying that the OFT representative made some glaring errors in his criticism and citing compliments about its website from other organisations.
Mr McNamara said: "The transparency of our website has been complimented by the EU. And I think if we are getting it right for the EU we don't need to worry about the OFT."
The Office of Fair Trading accused Ryanair of being "puerile and childish" over its online payment policy and criticised the company for the extras which are often added on to the basic flight price.
Newark to London flights
Continental Airlines will add a fourth daily flights service in March and a fifth in the fall to the United Kingdom's busiest airport.
"All our New York and London customers will benefit from more flight options," Jeff Smisek, chief executive officer, said in a statement in which he described New York and Heathrow as "a flagship route."
Continental Airlines is adding more flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to London's Heathrow Airport in March, and with new lie-flat seats in BusinessFirst class as it tries to bolster its competitive position on the well-traveled route.
As of March 27, Heathrow-bound flights will leave Newark at 9 a.m., 6:40 p.m., 7:20 p.m. and 8 p.m.
On Oct. 30, a 10:10 p.m. daily departure will be added.
Continental started flying between Newark and Heathrow in 2008 when U.S. airlines' were given more access to slots because of an open skies agreement between the United States and European Union.
Delta Air Lines, which is going head to head with Continental in the New York trans-Atlantic market, also began flying to Heathrow in 2008.
It flies there twice a day out of John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Asked if Delta plans to add more flights on that route, spokesman Paul Skrbec would say only: "We continue to look at what the market is doing."
Continental also announced that effective June 1, all of its aircraft scheduled for Heathrow flights will feature seats in BusinessFirst that recline to lie completely flat, like a bed. Lie-flat seats are fast becoming the standard for trans-Atlantic premium travel.
New York to Heathrow business class ticket prices vary greatly. Online searches, without corporate discounts, showed various airlines' fares, for midweek travel in mid-February, ranging from just under $2,000 to more than $5,000 round trip.
Delta announced last month that it is putting lie-flat beds in its BusinessElite cabins on 90 aircraft used on long international flights, part of a three-year, $1 billion plan to upgrade customer service and improve fuel efficiency.
"All our New York and London customers will benefit from more flight options," Jeff Smisek, chief executive officer, said in a statement in which he described New York and Heathrow as "a flagship route."
Continental Airlines is adding more flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to London's Heathrow Airport in March, and with new lie-flat seats in BusinessFirst class as it tries to bolster its competitive position on the well-traveled route.
As of March 27, Heathrow-bound flights will leave Newark at 9 a.m., 6:40 p.m., 7:20 p.m. and 8 p.m.
On Oct. 30, a 10:10 p.m. daily departure will be added.
Continental started flying between Newark and Heathrow in 2008 when U.S. airlines' were given more access to slots because of an open skies agreement between the United States and European Union.
Delta Air Lines, which is going head to head with Continental in the New York trans-Atlantic market, also began flying to Heathrow in 2008.
It flies there twice a day out of John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Asked if Delta plans to add more flights on that route, spokesman Paul Skrbec would say only: "We continue to look at what the market is doing."
Continental also announced that effective June 1, all of its aircraft scheduled for Heathrow flights will feature seats in BusinessFirst that recline to lie completely flat, like a bed. Lie-flat seats are fast becoming the standard for trans-Atlantic premium travel.
New York to Heathrow business class ticket prices vary greatly. Online searches, without corporate discounts, showed various airlines' fares, for midweek travel in mid-February, ranging from just under $2,000 to more than $5,000 round trip.
Delta announced last month that it is putting lie-flat beds in its BusinessElite cabins on 90 aircraft used on long international flights, part of a three-year, $1 billion plan to upgrade customer service and improve fuel efficiency.
Strong demand for World Cup flights
Ashley Cowan, BA regional manager for Africa, said fares over the World Cup month were at levels normally charged during the peak summer season.
He was replying to suggestions in some sections of the British press that many soccer fans would stay away from this country because of the high prices and air fares being charged.
BA has “very healthy bookings” on flights to South Africa during the World Cup 2010 period over June and July.
Cowan said that, in response to demand, BA would put on two extra flights to Johannesburg with its largest Boeing 747-400 aircraft on July 13 and 14, in time for the Cup Final.
They would be in addition to the and one flight to Cape Town daily and two a day to Johannesburg throughout our winter season.
He said bookings on flights out of South Africa were also high during the World Cup period.
In addition to local residents who normally visited the UK and Europe during the northern hemisphere summer, many were leaving South Africa to escape the crowds and hype of the World Cup or because they had let their houses to foreign visitors for the period.
BA is currently facing a renewed threat of a possible strike by cabin crew, depending on the results of a ballot among trade union members that closes on February 22.
A strike planned for the Christmas holiday period was declared illegal by the high court in London because former staff members who had accepted an offer of voluntary redundancy and had already left were among those voting for it.
Cowan said negotiations were continuing and it was “ disappointing we have got to this stage” after concessions had been made.
But even if the strike went ahead some services would continue because, it was not expected to have the support of all cabin crew.
There would also be volunteers from other departments of the airline – including some off-duty pilots – who were already being trained.
“We are hoping that, if the strike goes ahead, there will be a very minimal number of flights cancelled,” said Cowan.
The airline industry worldwide is beginning to recover from the effects of the recession and losses caused by the soaring oil price that preceded it.
BA was hit particularly hard by the fall in international passenger numbers because of its large share of trans Atlantic travel.
But Cowan said that although it had “not quite got to the point of recovery, we have seen the worst”.
Some markets, including those in Africa, were already recovering.
South Africa had always been a strong market for BA and passenger loads were good on both the Johannesburg and Cape Town routes at present.
He was replying to suggestions in some sections of the British press that many soccer fans would stay away from this country because of the high prices and air fares being charged.
BA has “very healthy bookings” on flights to South Africa during the World Cup 2010 period over June and July.
Cowan said that, in response to demand, BA would put on two extra flights to Johannesburg with its largest Boeing 747-400 aircraft on July 13 and 14, in time for the Cup Final.
They would be in addition to the and one flight to Cape Town daily and two a day to Johannesburg throughout our winter season.
He said bookings on flights out of South Africa were also high during the World Cup period.
In addition to local residents who normally visited the UK and Europe during the northern hemisphere summer, many were leaving South Africa to escape the crowds and hype of the World Cup or because they had let their houses to foreign visitors for the period.
BA is currently facing a renewed threat of a possible strike by cabin crew, depending on the results of a ballot among trade union members that closes on February 22.
A strike planned for the Christmas holiday period was declared illegal by the high court in London because former staff members who had accepted an offer of voluntary redundancy and had already left were among those voting for it.
Cowan said negotiations were continuing and it was “ disappointing we have got to this stage” after concessions had been made.
But even if the strike went ahead some services would continue because, it was not expected to have the support of all cabin crew.
There would also be volunteers from other departments of the airline – including some off-duty pilots – who were already being trained.
“We are hoping that, if the strike goes ahead, there will be a very minimal number of flights cancelled,” said Cowan.
The airline industry worldwide is beginning to recover from the effects of the recession and losses caused by the soaring oil price that preceded it.
BA was hit particularly hard by the fall in international passenger numbers because of its large share of trans Atlantic travel.
But Cowan said that although it had “not quite got to the point of recovery, we have seen the worst”.
Some markets, including those in Africa, were already recovering.
South Africa had always been a strong market for BA and passenger loads were good on both the Johannesburg and Cape Town routes at present.
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