Author: News Team

Boeing’s battle against the problems that have afflicted its 787 Dreamliner aircraft has taken another step forward today with the arrival of the first scheduled flight into London Heathrow airport since the plane was grounded, worldwide, in January. Doha-based carrier Qatar Airways has virtually repeated its achievement of being the first air carrier to bring the Dreamliner to Heathrow when it was first launched back in December, by being the first to fly it back into the UK’s busiest airport now that safety concerns have been addressed. The aircraft suffered its international grounding approximately five months ago, following reports by…

Easyjet, a low-cost airline with its head office at Luton Airport in the UK, is to offer fast track security clearance to its flexi fare passengers. Building on the original flexi fare concept, the new free benefit is designed to attract more business passengers to fly with easyjet, and is intended to provide them with a smooth and relaxed transition through the airport for ticket prices that start from £79.00 one way. The new service will be available at 27 of the 50 airports that currently comprise the airline’s business network, but it is scheduled for expansion. The participating airports…

VisitEngland, the body responsible for promoting tourism in the nation, has announced the launch of an online guide to advise businesses that are directly involved in receiving tourists, on strategies for marketing and promoting the facilities that they have for disabled visitors. Called Speak Up!, the guide is particularly focussed on helping businesses to promote their disabled access, and provides information and advice on a broad range of marketing possibilities, including promotional literature and social media exposure. The guide’s ultimate aim is to help these frontline businesses obtain their share of the market for catering for disabled clients, which is…

A study has shown that nearly half of those people who collect air miles fail to redeem them. The survey, sponsored by Collinson Latitude, a company involved in incremental revenue, canvassed the opinions of 1,005 UK residents at the end of 2012. It discovered that 40 percent of travellers who collected air miles had never attempted to use them. The survey also discovered that more than half of its respondents, 60 percent, were disillusioned by the time it takes to acquire enough of the travel vouchers to be of any value. This dissatisfaction is likely to be the main contributory…

Easyjet, a low-cost airline based at Luton Airport in the UK, has announced that it is to launch a course to help those affected by the fear of flying in an aeroplane, sometimes known as aerophobia. The company’s Fearless Flyer course is intended to help sufferers of the condition to overcome their fear, and Lawrence Leyton, the host of the ‘Fear of Flying’ programme on Channel 4, will lead the venture. His presence is likely to be a key attraction for those who enrol on the course, due to his televised success in helping other aerophobics. The course is being…

Alton Towers, a theme park located between Leek and Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, UK, is preparing to launch its new white-knuckle ride, perversely called The Smiler, for the coming season. Built at a cost of £18 million, the new roller coaster-type ride will be expected to bring something new to attract thrill seekers, and with a record-breaking 14 loops, it is unlikely to disappoint. Add to that The Smiler’s drops of 98 feet that it navigates at speeds of up to 52 miles per hour, for a nerve testing two-minute and forty-five second duration, and it should provide enough motion to…

BMI Regional, a British regional airline that operates scheduled services across the UK and Europe from its base at East Midlands Airport, has announced six new routes to European destinations. The new routes are based out of Birmingham and Bristol in the UK, and between them the two airports will benefit from the creation of 100 new jobs. Bristol is gaining services to Munich and Hannover in Germany and Milan, Italy, while Birmingham gains routes to Toulouse and Lyon in France and Gothenburg in Sweden. In addition, the airline is increasing the capacity on its route from Bristol to Frankfurt…

Norwegian Air, a Norway-based low-cost airline, has signed a memorandum of understanding with UK-based airline and transatlantic specialist, Virgin Atlantic. The agreement between the two airlines is intended to be of mutual benefit, with Norwegian’s long-haul pilots being granted access to Virgin Atlantic’s extensive long-haul knowledge, and Virgin benefiting from the use of Norwegian’s brand new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner for its instructors to receive pilot training. The agreement means that Virgin Atlantic’s pilots will be able to gain experience on the new aircraft prior to the delivery of its first Dreamliner in September 2014. Torstein Hoas, Norwegian Long Haul director…

It has been reported that UK-based low-cost air carrier easyjet is in talks with rival no-frills carrier, Flybe, with regards to buying some of the latter’s Gatwick take-off and landing slots. The Sunday Times reported that the talks were taking place, and although neither of the airlines was initially prepared to comment, in a statement to the London stock exchange this morning, Flybe said, ‘Flybe notes the recent speculation in the press. The board announces that it is in discussions with a number of parties, which may or may not lead to a transaction regarding the exchange for compensation payment…

A new survey has revealed that shopping for clothes in readiness for an upcoming holiday adds an average of 33 percent to the holiday cost for women in the UK. The survey, which was carried out by travel agency company sunshine.co.uk, revealed that on average a woman spends £245 on clothing, accessories and toiletries when preparing to go on holiday. This compares with an average amount spent on flights and accommodation of £710, and signifies a sizeable addition to the overall cost of the trip. The pre-holiday shopping spree typically includes four items of swimwear, six summer dresses, five tops…