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Transatlantic flights will be available from Stansted Airport within the year if plans unveiled by operator BAA get the go ahead. The company aims to increase the number of passengers using the airport each year from 25 million to 35 million by 2008 while increasing the number of air transport movements to 274,000 a year.Additional parking, hotel accommodation, aircraft stands and access roads are all included in the proposals.Plans to launch flights to China and the US within the year are also underway.The public will have their say on the future of the airport when a public exhibition tours 27 villages and towns during the next three months.BAA will then seek planning permission from Uttlesford District Council in 2006.Managing director of Stansted Airport, Terry Morgan, said: "We are very keen to hear what people think of the airport and we are really committed to ensuring that people have the maximum opportunity to express their opinions."We hope Uttlesford District Council will be in a position to grant us planning permission for the best use of the existing runway separately from any consideration on the second runway."Airport directors said mixed opinions were expressed at a meeting on July 27 with parish, district and county councillors and members of neighbouring communities.Leader of Uttlesford District Council, Mark Gayler, said: "While it is difficult to keep the two issues apart we will consider this expansion in its own right."He said the district council could carry out its own consultation exercise in addition to BAA's.Cllr Gayler said: "In the past the airport has done some consultations with rather leading questions."We want to make sure this is open and the people have the opportunity to air their views and we hope the airport will listen."The main opposition group to a second runway, Stop Stansted Expansion, said BAA's consultation plan lacked sufficient detail and called for greater transparency.Brian Ross, economics advisor for the campaign, said: "We had expected an awful lot more. There is nothing in these documents that we didn't already know."We are not anti airport, but it is only two and a half years ago since BAA got a 25 million limit which they said would last until 2010. Now they want 35 million and in two and a half years time they'll want 40 million."They won't put their cards on the table and say this is the full master plan for the next 10 years."
Weekday flights between Bristol International Airport and Aberdeen are to be increased to three a day from October to cope with rising demand. Eastern Airways which introduced a twice-a-day service last October, is also to introduce a new Saturday service.Return fares start from £99.
South Australia's regional tourism bodies are mounting their own battle against airfare price wars.
Limestone Coast regional marketing manager Peter Abbott, based in the state's south-east, says while it is impossible to compete with heavily-discounted ticket prices, there are other options to lure travellers to country areas.
Mr Abbott says airlines' one-way fares in particular create some clever marketing opportunities which are now being explored.
"We're working with car rental companies to look at ways of removing delivery fees or one-way fees which will help the outer regions get some more people driving through them," he said.
"They see an opportunity for them as well, of course, and they're certainly keen to try and extend their length of rental by looking at that one-way option."
Limestone Coast Tourism has been rewarding travellers who spend three nights in the region, with petrol discounts.
Mr Abbott says while visitor numbers at some local attractions are still down, they could be worse and other areas are now also considering similar campaigns.
"Places like Eyre Peninsula ... Flinders and [the] outback and those areas that are well outside Adelaide," he said.
"Even over in Victoria - we've had a lot of calls from tourism and regional bodies away from Melbourne asking about our cheap fuel offer that we've got running, and they're obviously being affected by the high fuel prices and the appearance of cheap airfares."
The mainland yesterday welcomed Taiwan authorities' approval of talks on cross-Straits passenger and cargo charter flights.
"We have noted the views of the Taiwan side on the cargo and passenger charter flight services between the mainland and Taiwan," Xinhua quoted a spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council as saying.
He made the remark after Taiwanese "premier" Frank Hsieh reportedly said yesterday that his government is ready to hold talks with the mainland on expanding cross-Straits charter flights and allowing Taiwanese airlines to fly over mainland airspace.
The mainland spokesman said: "Our policy on actively promoting direct flights, as well as direct postal and trade services across the Straits is consistent. Our efforts and sincerity in this regard are well-known."
He said the mainland will "exert its utmost effort" to do anything so long as it benefits Taiwan compatriots, and is condusive to increased exchanges as well as trade and economic development across the Straits.
Apart from direct cross-Straits charter flights, the need for Taiwan commercial aircraft to fly over the mainland to save time and costs has become urgent after sharp rises in international crude oil prices.
Taipei has banned cross-Straits direct transport since 1949. The island's airlines serving destinations in Europe must make a detour to bypass the mainland.
Bilateral negotiations are needed before Taiwan can decide whether it will offer reciprocal rights to mainland airlines, Hsieh added.
There would also be demands for direct charter flights between Taiwan and the mainland during the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays, Hsieh said. The two sides launched their first non-stop passenger flights during the holidays in February.
British Airways has suspended cargo flights to Zambia due to high jet fuel costs, it said on Wednesday in a move analysts said would hurt exporters who earn millions of dollars for the African country every year.
The airline's decision prompted Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa to order energy officials to look at ways of reducing jet fuel costs, which in Zambia are now at 78 cents per litre or almost twice as much as neighboring countries.
"The decision (to withdraw the cargo flight) was reached last week, and flights will be stopped on August 8," British Airways spokesman George Makulu said.
The airline will continue to run direct passenger service between Lusaka and London.
Officials said British Airways' decision to scrap cargo flights would leave Zambian exporters of cut flowers and fresh vegetables without a direct route to get produce to European markets.
British Airways was the only direct cargo link between Europe and Zambia, and exporters will now be forced to turn to more time-consuming transhipment routes through South Africa.
Treasury data indicates that Zambia earned USD$60 million from exports of vegetables and roses in 2004, mostly to Europe. Thousands of Zambians earn a living by working on large commercial vegetable farms.
Mwanawasa said separately at a news conference that Zambia could not afford to lose the cargo link.
"I have been informed that there is a task force to look into the problems of the price of jet fuel. I think this is not necessary because we know what the problem is... I am directing the ministry of energy to quickly find a solution," he said.
Last week, aviation industry sources said a Kenyan Airways passenger flight expected in Zambia was forced to land in Malawi to refuel due to a shortage of jet fuel in the country.
The Federal Aviation Administration tells airport officials in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to use all three of its runways for jets instead of just one, as is now the case. The FAA called the facility's travel snarls a national emergency, because delays cascade nationwide. Local officials and residents have protested the noise extra flights would bring.
The Federal Aviation Administration tells airport officials in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to use all three of its runways for jets instead of just one, as is now the case. The FAA called the facility's travel snarls a national emergency, because delays cascade nationwide. Local officials and residents have protested the noise extra flights would bring.
BAGHDAD (AP)--Iraqi Airways will resume flights between Baghdad and Istanbul from Wednesday, the first time the route between Iraq and Turkey has been opened since 1991, an airline official said Tuesday.
"At the beginning, two weekly commercial trips are scheduled for the Baghdad- Turkey route and it will be increased later," said Ayad Hamam, commercial manager for the national carrier.
Hamam added that Iraqi Airways is planning to start direct flights to Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, next month with three trips a week.
Routes to Amman, in neighboring Jordan, and to the Syrian capital of Damascus resumed last September for the first time in 14 years.
Earlier this year, the national carrier also restarted domestic flights to southern Basra as well as Irbil and Sulaimaniyah in the north.
Iraqi Airways jets were forbidden from flying outside the country by international sanctions imposed in 1991 following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait under Saddam Hussein.
The commencement of new flights to the Fraser Coast by Jetstar has been welcomed by Managing Director of Tourism Australia, Scott Morrison. "The addition of Harvey Bay as Jetstar`s latest destination is great news for regional tourism as it will increase spend and dispersal of the tourism dollar throughout the Fraser Coast region," Mr Morrison said.Starting today, Jetstar will operate four weekly return flights directly between Sydney and the recently upgraded Hervey Bay Airport."Jetstar now flies to 17 destinations around Australia making it easier for tourists to get out of the major cities and visit fantastic Australian experiences such as Fraser Island."These new flights make Fraser Island and Hervey Bay just a short flight away for international and domestic tourists alike."Combined with Jetstar`s recent implementation of a free sale codeshare arrangement, which makes it easier for international wholesalers to sell domestic flights to overseas visitors, the commencement of new flights to the Fraser Coast will greatly contribute to increasing the dispersal of international travellers beyond Australia`s major gateway cities."World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is 120 kilometres long and 10 kilometres wide. It`s the world`s largest sand island with vast beaches, beautiful headlands and rainforests growing in just sand. It offers clear streams, azure lakes and plenty of room offering some of Australia`s best camping. The island also offers luxury experiences for those wishing to stay in style at a resort."It`s great news that such a fantastic experience is now more accessible for those planning their next Australian holiday," said Mr Morrison.By the end of October, Jetstar will add a tenth Queensland destination when they begin flying to Townsville.Tourism Australia`s clear purpose is to grow total visitor spend by increasing total and average length of stay and to grow dispersal and regional visitor spend by encouraging visitors to travel outside the major gateways. This will in turn generate jobs growth, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas and contribute to Australia`s continued economic prosperity.
ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines is adding more Caribbean flights and destinations this fall as it hunts for new markets to boost lagging revenue.
Along with new service to Russia and other international markets, Delta has been beefing up its Caribbean network in recent months to reduce its concentration in the U.S. market, where fierce competition with discount carriers has made many domestic routes unprofitable.
Other carriers, including discount carriers, also have been moving aggressively into Caribbean markets, particularly from New York.
COX NEWS SERVICE
TOKYO: Japanese and South Korean airlines have doubled the number of round-trip flights between Tokyo's Haneda airport and Seoul's Kimpo airport to eight per day from Monday, said a report carried by Kyodo news.
They expanded the shuttle services under an accord reached in June between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun.
Haneda and Kimpo airports provide easier access to central Tokyo and Seoul respectively. The two countries' main international airports -- Japan's Narita airport and South Korea's Incheon airport -- are located away from their respective metropolitan areas.
Haneda-Kimpo shuttle services began in November 2003, with one round-trip flight operated each by two Japanese airlines and two South Korean carriers per day.
Starting Monday, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will each operate one more round-trip flight.
London UK August 2, 2005 -- PriceBookers is a UK travel search tool. This innovative new service enables travelers to search travel websites and book deals in less time and fewer clicks. Visitors simply enter their desired travel details once and click to search from over 20 leading travel websites. "With the addition of PriceBookers, consumers can make a more informed choice when it comes to their travel requirements" said Robert Chamberlain, Managing Director of PriceBookers. "This new service makes locating travel deals easier". Benefits of the PriceBookers search service include: - Saves Time: Enter the information only once and the tool allows users to search multiple travel sites, resulting in fewer clicks - Saves Money: Offers a variety of search options including package deals and holiday specials. - Wider Selection than current booking engines: For cheap flights, the site provides links to search major airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines. Search options are also provided for major hotels, package deals and car rental providers. PriceBookers is a free service for consumers. It enables travelers to compare a wide variety of leading companies from the one site. The site is owned and operated by AirfaresFlights.co.uk, a comprehensive flight-only travel portal for UK consumers - listing specials for travelers with more flexible plans. For more details on the new PriceBookers multi-website travel search tool please visit the website at http://www.pricebookers.co.uk
Your report that Gordon Brown needs to find more money to balance the books presents a golden opportunity for the government to kill two birds with one stone (Brown will have to raise another £10bn, July 29).
The chancellor could raise some of the extra revenue he needs by starting to remove the £9bn effective subsidy received every year by the aviation industry, which pays no tax on the fuel it uses and little VAT. It is this subsidy that is underpinning the runaway growth of cheap flights by making "fly to Malaga for a fiver" deals possible. This in turn is fuelling huge rises in carbon dioxide emissions from the aviation sector, which threaten to make the UK's long-term climate change targets virtually unachievable. Letters
Tax cheap flights Monday August 1, 2005 Your report that Gordon Brown needs to find more money to balance the books presents a golden opportunity for the government to kill two birds with one stone (Brown will have to raise another £10bn, July 29).
The chancellor could raise some of the extra revenue he needs by starting to remove the £9bn effective subsidy received every year by the aviation industry, which pays no tax on the fuel it uses and little VAT. It is this subsidy that is underpinning the runaway growth of cheap flights by making "fly to Malaga for a fiver" deals possible. This in turn is fuelling huge rises in carbon dioxide emissions from the aviation sector, which threaten to make the UK's long-term climate change targets virtually unachievable.
In the long run, fair taxation of aviation could mean taxing fuel or charging VAT on domestic flights, but the chancellor can make a good start by announcing in his pre-budget statement in the autumn that he is putting up air passenger duty as an interim measure. As well as raising revenue, this would signal that there is some substance behind the government's rhetoric on climate change. Tony BosworthFriends of the Earth
The agreement between the US, Australia and other countries on research into technologies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions appears to be a tactic on the part of the US and Australia to delay action to reduce emissions (Report, July 29).
While the implication that the US recognises the existence of man-made climate change is welcome, the clear distancing of the US and Australia from efforts by other countries to set a framework to tackle climate change is regrettable.
Of course the development of technologies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions is necessary, but they will not be used on a large scale if they cost more than existing fossil-fuel technologies unless there is agreement on a framework setting limits to each country's emissions.
The US is still a party to the UN framework convention on climate change, which is responsible for negotiating a framework to ensure that the effects of climate change are limited, and the UK must ensure that all parties negotiate within the UNFCCC on an agreement to follow Kyoto.
If the US does not accept meaningful emissions-reduction targets and thereby gains economic advantages, other countries would be within their rights under WTO rules to impose economic sanctions. Martin QuickArchitects and Engineers for Social Responsibility.
Following improvement in visibility up to 2,000 metres, Mumbai airport which was closed in the wee hours due to heavy rainfall, was opened to flights shortly before noon today.
The first flight to touch down was a Jet Airways Airbus A-340 flight from London, airport official said, adding that the airport was made operational around 11.30 am.
Flights have now begun to operate and clearing of the huge backlog of domestic and international airlines should pose no problems, he said.
"If the visibility continues and there is no further rain, the huge backlog of passengers stranded since morning should be cleared," an airlines official added.
By: PTI
Newcastle Airport is bucking a national trend of increased delays for airline passengers at the UK's major airports, new figures revealed yesterday.
Newcastle was the only airport to achieve an improvement in the percentage of scheduled flights taking off or arriving on time in the first three months of this year.
It was also the only one where the average delay for scheduled flights was less than in the same period last year.
In addition, the official statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority show that only Newcastle and Luton airports saw average delays for charter flights improve in January to March this year.
The new figures ( which follow similar impressive flight punctuality statistics for Newcastle in the final quarter of last year ( were yesterday welcomed by airport officials and passengers' representatives.
The latest CAA statistics cover the first quarter of this year and relate to flights in and out of 10 airports ( Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Luton, Stansted, Edinburgh, Newcastle and London City.
Overall they show that the proportion of on-time charter flights fell from 69pc in the first three months of 2004 to 66pc this year. The average delay was 28 minutes compared with 22 minutes last year.
The number of on-time scheduled flights at the 10 airports fell from 76pc to 73pc and the average delay was 15 minutes compared to 13 minutes in the same period last year.
At Newcastle, 76pc of charter flights were on time compared to 68pc last year and the average delay was 18 minutes, a minute less than in 2004.
On scheduled flights, 79pc were on time compared to 77pc last year and the average delay was 12 minutes compared to 14 last year.
The longest delays were at Gatwick where charter flights were delayed by an average of 34 minutes.
Last night, Dorothy Craig, who chairs the Newcastle Airport Consultative Committee which represents airline passengers, said: "We are delighted that the punctuality record is so good, especially now that it has happened two times in a row, and long may it continue.
An airport spokeswoman said: "We have a modern, recently extended terminal which enables passengers to complete the check-in and security procedures quickly, meaning that we can focus on having aircraft boarded and ready to depart on time.
Source: The Journal - Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NEARLY 1,000 holidaymakers have been stranded at Manchester Airport because their flights were delayed for nearly 24 hours.
Two flights were due to leave Terminal One for Florida yesterday but there were problems with the aircraft.
Some passengers claim they saw one of the plane's cargo doors damaged as luggage was being loaded.
Others said airline officials told them their plane was being used to fly passengers to Tenerife because of technical difficulties.
Les Thomas, 43, from Blackburn, was travelling with more than 20 family and friends for a two-week break on a holiday booked through Travel City.
He said: "We were initially told there were technical problems with our plane then we were told there was nothing wrong with our plane but it had been used to fly passengers to Tenerife instead because of a problem with the plane on that route.
"We were messed around all day yesterday before they told us we would not be flying and they put us up in a hotel."
James Taylor, 52, from Dudley in the West Midlands, said: "It's been an absolute nightmare and people are getting very angry. I saw one of the Florida planes damaged after they tried to close doors and it hit a hydraulic lift."
No one was available for comment from Travel City or Air Atlanta Europe. By Martin Dillon
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