Wizz Air adds more flights to Sofia

Just a week after launching its inaugural flight to Sofia, Wizz Air has announced that it will increase frequency on the route due to high demand.

From December 17, the airline will add an additional weekly flight to the Bulgarian capital from its main base in Budapest.

Austrian Airlines launches first Pécs flights

Austrian Airlines will begin flying to the Hungarian city of Pécs from next summer, it has announced today.

The airline will operate two flights a week to the city from its main hub, Vienna, starting in May 2006.

Coventry Airport set for major expansion

Dozens of new flights could be launched from Coventry International over the next few years if major expansion work at the airport gets the go-ahead.

Local councillors last night gave their provisional support to plans for the construction of a permanent passenger terminal at the West Midlands airport.

But a public inquiry, due to start in Leamington Spa in January, will decide whether the development finally goes ahead.

Low-cost giants oppose airline ticket tax

The UK's two largest low-cost airlines easyJet and Ryanair have both signalled their opposition to plans to increase taxes for passengers.

Britain's aviation watchdog, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), is proposing to impose an extra £1 charge per ticket for all flights originating from the UK.

The charge, suggested in the light of the recent closure of low-cost airline EUjet, is intended to cover passengers in the event of an airline going into administration.

Mischievous mouse delays Qatar flight

When flights are delayed, it is usually as a result of bad weather, technical difficulties or late arrivals.

However, Qatar Airways passengers travelling on a flight from Manila to Doha yesterday found themselves delayed because of an extremely unusual problem – an escaped mouse.

The errant rodent was spotted by passengers frolicking in the aisle as flight QR 65 was preparing for take-off at Manila International Airport in the Philippines.

Cardiff aims to attract more passengers

Cardiff International is proposing a major expansion of its transport links with South-West England in a bid to increase the number of passengers using the airport.

Although the airport is extremely popular with passengers living in South Wales, at present it attracts fewer travellers from across the border in England.

In a bid to change this, the airport is hoping to secure a number of direct rail links with English towns and cities, including Bath, Bristol, Gloucester and Swindon.

easyJet announces autumn seat sale

easyJet has hit back in the low-cost price war by launching a major sale on its flights from the UK.

From today, Thursday September 29, the no-frills airline is putting a number of seats on sale on flights from all of its UK airports outside London.

It currently offers flights from Aberdeen, Belfast, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Nottingham East Midlands, Newcastle and Robin Hood airports.

Emirates offers Ramadan deals

Emirates has launched a number of special all-inclusive deals for the holy month of Ramadan.

The Middle-Eastern airline is offering discounted fares, coupled with three nights stay at a choice of seven hotels in Dubai throughout Ramadan, which gets underway on Tuesday October 4.

The package includes a pre-dawn Halal buffet breakfasts and chauffeured transport to the hotel from Dubai airport on arrival. All meals served on-board Emirates flights are suitable for Muslims.

Air France raises fuel surcharge

Air France has become the latest airline to announce an increase in its fuel surcharge.

The airline is increasing the charge by €6 (£4.09) per ticket on all long-haul flights. The total cost will now be €44 (£30) each way.

For European flights, it is adding €2 (£1.37) to the ticket price, bringing the total fuel surcharge to €12 (£8.19).

An aisle seat for the Boeing-747 bride

More and more couples are jetting off to exotic locations to tie the knot. From underwater weddings in the Great Barrier Reef to high-altitude nuptials at Everest base-camp, it seems that lovers will go to any length to ensure that their big day lives long in the memory.

Now, an enterprising plane museum in the Netherlands is providing an even more unusual location for the perfect marriage, on board a Boeing-747 jumbo jet.

Go behind the scenes with SN Brussels

Millions of people take to the skies every day, yet few of us have any idea what goes on behind the scenes to make air travel possible.

This could be about to change, with SN Brussels giving passengers the chance to gain an insight into the workings of a major European airline.

The low-cost airline is hosting an open day this Sunday, October 2, giving travellers the freedom to explore all aspects of its operations. Visitors will be able to view the engine workshop in the SN hangar, explore the staff areas and the cockpit of its planes and discover the safety measures in place in case a flight encounters any difficulties.

BA offering increased air miles for trans-Atlantic flights

British Airways has announced a new air miles offer for its Executive Club members.

From today until December 31, members of its frequent flyer club will be able to earn a free trans-Atlantic flight for every return flight to the US, Canada or the Caribbean they book.

For every Club World or first-class flight booked, members will receive 50,000 air miles, redeemable on flights worldwide.

Coming soon – Budget flights to the Ukraine?

With the number of low-cost flights to Eastern Europe increasing dramatically over the past 12 months, another destination could soon be made available to travellers – Ukraine.

The European Union (EU) is proposing to open negotiations with the Ukranian government regarding the development of a common aviation agreement.

Luxair introduces new low-cost deals

Luxair has announced the launch of new lower fares for flights from the UK to Luxembourg for the winter season.

The airline is introducing new Saturday fares, as well as discounted youth fares on its flights to the Grand Duchy.

More international flights from UK airports

New government reforms will result in a significant increase in the number of international flights from regional airports across the UK.

Liberalisation measures unveiled today by aviation minister Karen Buck will enable foreign airlines to operate more international flights from British airports.

For the first time, airlines will be able to stop-over in the UK en-route to destinations in another country. In addition, foreign airlines flying into the UK will now be allowed to stop off at another destination before arriving in Britain.

The flying billboard

Next time you board a Ryanair flight, you could be forgiven for thinking you were stepping into a giant advertising billboard.

The low-cost airline is giving companies the opportunity to advertise their wares on the outside of its new fleet of Boeing planes.

Clients will pay around £100,000 for the entire external surface of an aircraft and will then have free license to decorate the plane in order to advertise their product.

Givenchy pyjamas for passengers

With airlines battling it out to attract first-class passengers, Singapore Airlines has come up with a novel new idea - designer sleepware.

The airline has teamed up with French couture fashion house Givenchy to offer first-class passengers a more comfortable flight.

Givenchy has designed a special sleeping suit for all first-class passengers which will be provided free of charge on all Singapore Airlines flights to and from London, Shanghai, Beijing and Sydney.

Air France goes Latin

Air France has announced a major increase in its number of flights to Latin America for the winter season.

The airline has announced a 25 per cent increase in capacity to destinations in Central and South America. Starting next month, it will begin non-stop flights from Paris to Santiago, Chile.

New Uganda flights for KLM

© Capital Photos (for KLM)

KLM will begin direct flights to the Ugandan capital, Entebbe this winter.

Starting on November 1, the Dutch airline will fly three times a week, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, to Uganda from Amsterdam Schipol Airport.

The airline will offer flights to Entebbe via Amsterdam from 16 airports in the UK. Fares from the UK to Entebbe start from £480, excluding taxes.

BA puts Vietnam on the map

British Airways has recognised the popularity of Vietnam as a holiday destination for British travellers by introducing its first flight options to the South-East Asian country.

From next month, BA will code-share with Cathay Pacific on its flights from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City.

Virgin Atlantic increases South African flight options

Virgin Atlantic is laying on more flights to South Africa during the busy winter season.

It will add an extra weekly flight from London Heathrow to Cape Town, starting on December 7, bringing the number of weekly flights to the popular coastal city to three.

From January 29, 2006, Virgin will add another two flights a week to Cape Town, operating five flights a week throughout the peak winter season until March 25, 2006.

Zoom introduces new low-cost trans-Atlantic flights

Canadian budget airline Zoom Airways, the only airline currently offering low-cost trans-Atlantic flights from the UK, is adding new routes from Cardiff and Belfast next summer.

Zoom will offer flights from Wales and Northern Ireland to the west-coast Canadian city of Vancouver, starting in May 2006.

SN Brussels honours Belgium's favourite son

Ask most people to name a famous Belgian and they will almost certainly struggle. It may be the heart of the EU and produce some of the world's best beer, but in terms of celebrities, few have entered the international consciousness.

Few real-life celebrities, that is. For while 90s action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme is perhaps the only current Belgian household name, when it comes to creating cartoon celebrities, Belgium is second-to-none.

Thomsonfly announces temporary closure of Coventry airport

Thomsonfly has announced that Coventry Airport will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for five weeks from November 15 due to maintenance work.

The airline will fly most of its flights from Nottingham East Midlands airport on the days the runway is closed.

A free shuttle bus will be provided for passengers between the two airports during the period of disruption.

Jet off with a mind massage

Passengers looking to boost their morale a little would do well to take advantage of a new offering from Virgin Atlantic on its in-flight entertainment.

InnerTalk is a subconscious audio programme containing "strong, positive affirmations" that passengers can listen to while in the air.

New route between Antwerp and Jersey from VLM

Business airline VLM Airlines is offering a new route between Antwerp and Jersey via London City.

The return flights will operate from Monday to Friday and begin on October 3, 2005.

The daily flight from Antwerp to London City leaves at 8.25am and arrives at 8.30am, local time. After a half-hour changeover, the flight leaves London City at 9.00am and arrives in Jersey at 10.10am.

easyJet landmark passenger gets champagne reception

easyJet passengers arriving at Nottingham East Midlands airport this week received the no doubt pleasant surprise of receiving champagne at the check-in desk.

Passengers Mr and Mrs Stone were unaware of their special status before the airline announced it to them, but they were in fact easyJet's three millionth passengers at the airport.

Monarch Scheduled offers three new routes from Birmingham

Low-cost airline Monarch Scheduled is offering three new routes from Birmingham airport along with an expansion of its services.

The three new routes all go to Spanish destinations. The airline will fly to Murcia four times a week, Menorca three times a week and Palma de Mallorca once a week.

Monarch Scheduled already offers flights to Tenerife and Alicante and is extending its operations next summer.

Tired of relying on others? Set up your own airline

Sometimes, it can be frustrating when airlines don't fly to exactly the right places at exactly the right times.

Now, a Scottish former oil worker has taken matters into his own hands. Tired of lobbying existing airlines to fly direct from Scotland to Orlando in Florida, Jim Whitelaw has decided to set up his own.

Your Florida Air launches from Glasgow next month and will finally offer Scots hoping for a stopover- (and stress-) free connection to sunnier climes just what they've been waiting for.

Manchester Airport under security alert

UPDATE: The man arrested at Manchester Airport after he breached security fencing and ran onto the apron area, has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

He was arrested this morning by Greater Manchester Police who used a Taser stun gun on him as he struggled in an area close to aircraft.

The man evaded security staff at a gate that led on to the runway, he was then chased before police officers arrived at the scene where he was challenged.

The man was initially detained under the Terrorism Act and police performed a controlled explosion on a suitcase left behind by him.

Passengers were forced to clear the airport terminal and many flights were delayed. A cordon was set up around the area as officers dealt with the incident.

Airlines cancel flights as Rita threatens

A number of flights from Europe to the Gulf Coast region have been cancelled by airlines due to Hurricane Rita.

British Airways has decided to stop flights into Houston on both Friday and Saturday, whilst KLM has cancelled flights on the same days as well as the Sunday.

Airlines in the US have said they hope to restore services on Sunday but much will depend on the impact the Category Four hurricane has on the region.

Study warns over airline emissions

UK householders and businesses would have to cut their carbon dioxide emissions to zero to account for the impact the airline industry is having on the environment, a recent study claims.

Researchers from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change at Manchester University say that even if aviation’s current growth is halved, the rest of the economy will require carbon dioxide cuts far beyond government targets.

Jet2.com adds two routes from Leeds/Bradford

Jet2.com is to add two new routes to Italy from Leeds/Bradford airport starting in 2006.

The low-cost airline will fly to Rome and Pisa taking its total number of routes from Leeds/Bradford up to 18.

The Rome flight will begin on April 7, 2006 and will fly four times a week with one-way fares starting at £26. A weekly service to Pisa will depart from Leeds on Saturdays.

Jet2.com flies from a number of UK airports but its main bases are Leeds/Bradford and Manchester. Its European destinations include Paris, Prague and Venice, as well as a number of airports on the Spanish coast.

BA offers speedy US immigration service

British Airways is attempting to reduce delays for its transatlantic customers by allowing them to provide additional details online, for use by US immigration.

At present the carrier provides Passenger Name Record information, including personal and passport data, to US immigration authorities prior to take off.

Flybe launches new routes

Flybe today launched a number of new routes from its UK airports, to begin service in summer 2006.

The budget airline will fly from Norwich to Murcia in Spain and to Faro in Portugal from £44.99 one-way.

A new domestic route from Norwich to Guernsey is also being launched today. Other new routes include Southampton to Palma in Majorca.

Thomson ups Middle Eastern offers

Thomson is bidding to extend its services to the Middle East from five UK airports with the launch of a new brochure.

The newly designed 2006 Arabian Gulf & Beyond details Thomson packages in the area, which include scheduled flights from UK airports including Heathrow, TravelMole reports. Packages include accommodation across Dubai, Oman, and Qatar amongst others.

Travellers can also opt for flight-only rates, which start at £299 from Heathrow to Dubai, with a change at Paris, flying Air France.

Thomson's low-cost flights wing, Thomsonfly, is currently offering one-way flights to a number of European destinations from £17.99.

Rates to Middle Eastern destinations currently include Newcastle to Sharm el Sheik for £169 return, or from Birmingham for £142 return.

© Adfero Ltd

Aer Arann to reduce flights from Cork to Dublin

Irish airline Aer Arann has said it will be reducing the number of flights it operates between Cork and Dublin in the face of stiff competition from Ryanair.

Budget airline Ryanair announced last week it would begin operating three return flights a day between Cork and Dublin, with prices starting from 99 cents one-way, excluding tax.

Ryanair launches two new flights from Liverpool

Ryanair has announced that two new flights from Liverpool's John Lennon airport will begin operations next week.

As of Tuesday, September 27, Ryanair will offer cheap flights to Oslo, in Norway and the Latvian town of Riga.

Flights to Oslo depart daily at 2:00pm, arriving in Oslo Torpe Sandefjord at 4:50pm local time. Flights to Riga depart daily at 7:00am, arriving in Riga at 11:50am local time.

Cheap flights battle in Glasgow

Travellers looking for a cheap flight from Glasgow to Majorca will be pleased to hear that a price war between two low-cost airlines looks set to break out.

Thomsonfly.com has announced it will be operating a cheap flight from Glasgow airport to Palma, Majorca.

However, rival airline flyglobespan has retaliated by saying it will ensure its flights to the Spanish island are the cheapest, the Glasgow Evening Times reports.

MyTravelLite announces October sale

Low-cost airline MyTravelLite has announced an October sale, with many of its European flights offered for just £1 one-way.

The offer is being made to mark the end of MyTravelLite's scheduled services, which finish in October.

MyTravelLite, a branch of MyTravel, flies from Birmingham exclusively to the Spanish coast and surrounding islands such as Gran Canaria and Majorca.

Some example fares include a one-way trip to Palma for £24 including taxes.

MyTravel has said it will continue to offer flights from its 21 UK airports to over 50 destinations around the world. The airline is also offering a new seat sales offering soon.

© Adfero Ltd

bmi to allow in-flight mobile phones

Passengers on bmi flights will soon be able to use their mobile phones while in the air during a trial run of the service.

Starting in autumn 2006, bmi passengers will be able to make use of a voice and text service, OnAir, in a three-month trial.

A Portuguese airline, TAP Air Portugal, is also joining the trial, which is being used by OnAir as a way of assessing its service before its general release in 2007.

New low-cost airline to challenge Ryanair

A new low-cost airline may be set up in Ireland as a challenger to Ryanair.

The airline is set to launch in November this year, according to reports from the Irish Independent, and will fly between Ireland and the rest of Europe.

Financier Dermot Desmond is reportedly behind the new company and he is currently holding talks on the minutiae of the venture.

Lufthansa flights to serve up a treat

Passengers on a selection of Lufthansa flights will be getting a culinary treat this winter, as the airline brings in a top chef to sort out its in-flight meals.

Celebrity chef Joachim Splichal will create the menu, including choice of wine, on Lufthansa flights between Germany and the US from November this year until February 2006.

BA is City choice

British Airways is the City choice when it comes to flying, according to a new survey.

The ICM poll, conducted for new free morning paper CityAM, found that 45 per cent of City workers say British Airways is their favourite choice.

Virgin came second, while other airlines to figure included Emirates, Cathay Pacific and Singapore. Low-cost airlines also appeal to the business world, with easyJet amongst the top six.

The results were based on answers from 250 City executives in London at director level and above.

Luxury airline to fly from Stansted to New York

A new luxury airline is to make daily flights between London Stansted and New York JFK.

Maxjet Airways will begin offering the exclusively business class flights as of November 1, every day except Saturdays.

Fares on the Boeing 767s will start at £599 one-way, taxes not included.

easyJet targets Germany

Low-cost flights to Germany are set to increase with the news that easyJet is planning to significantly expand its operations in the country.

In particular, Berlin and Dortmund have been earmarked for expanded operations by the low-cost airline, which currently holds a market share of just two per cent in Germany.

easyJet's German chief executive, John Kohlsaat, told the Berliner Zeitung that the airline felt that this current market share was "very low".

Wizz Air flies first service from Poznan

Wizz Air commenced service from Poznan in Poland at the weekend, with the first flight arriving in London's Luton airport on Sunday, September 18.

Poznan will initially be served by four flights a week to and from Luton. However, the airline has announced that due to already strong demand, a fifth weekly service will operate from December 1.

Are you flying what we're flying?

Politicians are proving that they too can be savvy about the cost-benefit analysis of taking a low-cost airline.

This year's Conservative party conference in Blackpool will see at least 12 members loosening their blue ties if not the purse strings to hop on a Ryanair flight from London Stansted.

Kung-fu monks and jazz band hunks in Shanghai

In the 1920s and 30's, Shanghai was one of the most dynamic metropolises on earth, the Paris of the East, an intoxicating cocktail of opulence and debauchery.

It also had a vibrant and flourishing arts scene, with the Bund, the city's famous riverside thoroughfare, home to internationally-acclaimed jazz bands, symphony orchestras, theatre groups and raucous cabaret shows.

Stone the Belgian crows

On Saturday October 1 giant scarecrows will overrun the Grande Place, in the heart of Brussels.

For one day only, the glamour and sophistication of Belgium's most dynamic metropolis will be cast aside, as hundreds of teams battle it out for top honours at the Fourth annual Scarecrow Festival (Concours d'épouvantails).

The festival is a scarecrow-building frenzy, with teams given just two hours to construct their bird-repelling creations.