More than half of overseas holidays taken by Britons concentrate on just four countries, according to new research by The Co-operative Travel.
The study found that 61% of breaks are spread between Spain, Greece, Turkey and the US.
Cost is given as the main reason why plans to travel more widely have been put on hold, and 23% of adults say that they actually travel less than they did as children.
source: travelweekly.co.uk
U.S. airlines expect to carry a record number of international travelers from June through August, helping soften the effect of higher fuel prices, the Air Transport Association said.
The 26.3 million international travelers forecast for the period would top last summer’s record of 25.8 million, the Washington-based association, which represents carriers including AMR Corp. (AMR)’s American Airlines and Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), said in a statement today. Total passenger count will rise 1.5 percent, the group estimated.
The forecast shows carriers are optimistic about increasing demand even after raising surcharges and fares to counter higher fuel expenses. Association figures showed jet-fuel costs climbed 30 percent to $11.4 billion in the first quarter from the same period a year earlier.
source: bloomberg.com
Lufthansa is standardising its free baggage allowance policy for all flights. The new rules, which come into force on 1 June 2011, will see Lufthansa adopt the ‘’piece concept”, enabling passengers to check in a specified number of baggage items free of charge. In economy class, passengers can check-in one item of baggage weighing up to 23kg. In business class passengers will be allowed two bags weighing up to 32kg each, while first class passengers will be allowed three bags weighing up to 32kg each.
source: traveldaily.co.uk
Airline charges could soon be a thing of the past. The’ European Commission’ is reviewing air passenger rights after receiving complaints from customers and watchdogs about the excessive surcharges airlines issue.
The proposed ”one flight, one price” ruling is being considered by European Commission vice-president and transport commissioner Siim Kallas.
Among those calling for more transparency in the industry is Labour MEP and chairman of the EU transport committee Brian Simpson and consumer champion ‘Which?‘.
source: Telegraph.co.uk
American Airlines employees have been visiting travel agents in several states over the last few weeks carrying several documents ” nondisclosure agreements about their discussions and direct-connect licensing contracts.
The airline apparently is making a big push now to get travel agents to sign the direct-connect contracts because of a looming big day on the calendar, June 1.
By late January, after Sabre had biased American Airlines’ displays and hiked the airline’s GDS fees, and American had filed suit against Sabre and Travelport, Sabre and American agreed to put the legal battle on hold and to put the displays and fees back to normal while the two sides attempted to negotiate a new agreement.
source: tnooz.com
British Airways has finally thrashed out an agreement to end a bitter two-year battle with its cabin crew which cost the company £150million.
The conflict, which lasted longer than the miners’ strike of the 1980s, saw the airline and its passengers hit by a total of 22 days of strikes since its start in February 2009.
But a deal has been reached with the militant Unite union, which represents the majority of BA crew, and is already being regarded as a crucial victory for the airline and Willie Walsh who led it for most of the dispute.
source: dailymail.co.uk
Travelport has signed a new deal with Flydubai and renewed its full content agreement with Alitalia.
The deals mean the two airlines will have their fares and schedules available on Travelport’s Galileo and Worldspan global distribution systems (GDS) – a first for the middle eastern carrier.
Flydubai’s listing on the GDS will mean the low-cost airline, launched in June 2009, can tap into Travelport’s worldwide network of more than 60,000 travel agents.
source: abtn.co.uk
Budget airline Ryanair‘s chief executive Michael O’Leary has threatened the Spanish government that it will cut flight plans if fines levied on the company are not lifted. More than 60 fines were imposed at a value of more than €1.23million between 2009 and 2010.
The fines were for a variety of alleged infractions including refusing to accept identity cards and driving licences as ID proof and disputes over luggage.
source: euroweeklynews.com
British Airways’ parent International Airlines Group (IAG) has a potential rival in bidding for TAP Portugal, with Brazilian carrier TAM considering a takeover of the Portuguese carrier.
TAP is a member of the Lufthansa-led Star Alliance, as is TAM, while BA is a leading member of the rival alliance Oneworld. However, TAM is awaiting regulatory approval for a merger with Latin America’s other major carrier, LAN – a Oneworld member.
source: travelweekly.co.uk
US Airways landed at the bottom of the list for overall satisfaction, also receiving the lowest marks for cabin-crew service. The airline was also ranked lowest in 2007, when the last Consumer Reports airline rankings were released.
Southwest Airlines topped the rankings for overall satisfaction, with JetBlue Airways coming in second in the survey of nearly 15,000 passengers.
The pileup of added fees during or after check-in is contributing to many travelers’ decisions to fly less, according to the survey. Of the respondents who said they’ve cut back on flying, 40 percent cited fees as the major reason.
source: CNN
