Air Europa adds Latin American connections

Air Europa has launched a new connecting service from London Gatwick Airport to South and Central America.

The Spanish carrier is operating twice-daily flights to Madrid, from where passengers can catch one of its services to numerous key destinations throughout Latin America.

Available destinations include Buenos Aires, Salvador De Bahia, Caracas, Santo Domingo, Punto Cana, Cancun and Havana.

El Al launches online check-in service

El Al has upgraded its online booking facility for people travelling through Heathrow Airport.

The Israeli national airline overhauled its UK-oriented consumer website elal.co.uk, rolling out what it described as a more flexible and user-friendly booking system.

Passengers who make use of the new facility can now view details of a broader range of dates when booking a flight, which is intended to make it easier to find the best deals.

Two new destinations at Stansted Airport

Two new flights to Europe have been launched from London Stansted Airport.

Aegean Airlines is now running a twice-daily service to the Greek capital Athens, while Lithuanian Airlines has opened up a new connection with capital city Vilnius.

CityJet adjusts London City schedule

Air France subsidiary CityJet is adjusting its operating schedule at London City Airport.

The Dublin-based airline is launching new services to Holland that will bring its total number of daily departures from the docklands airport to 40.

Under the new schedule, the airline will now operate day-return trips from London City Airport to the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven.

Newcastle to Stavanger service launched

Eastern Airways has launched its first international service from Newcastle Airport today (May 12), offering non-stop flights to the Norwegian city of Stavanger.

The daily weekday service heads out of Newcastle at 9.50am, landing in Stavanger at 12.40pm, while the return flight leaves Norway at 1.10pm and arrives back in the North East of England at 2pm.

Chris Holliday, Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer, said: "We have provided travellers with a comprehensive network of domestic services from Newcastle for many years and our first non-stop international route from the airport links the vibrant north east with the European culture capital.

Leeds Bradford to Pakistan route axed

Direct flights from Leeds Bradford Airport to Pakistan are to be scrapped from the end of May.

Shaheen Air International, Pakistan's second national carrier, launched the service just four months ago but now says that "lack of aircraft availability" has forced it to cancel the new route.

The remaining scheduled flights will depart on May 18, May 25 and May 30, while refunds will be issued for any later bookings.

Fuel surcharge increased by Lufthansa

Lufthansa has reacted to the rising cost of crude oil and kerosene by announcing an increase in its fuel surcharge on all its flights.

EuroManx cancels all services

The Isle of Man based airline EuroManx has announced all its flights have been cancelled with immediate effect, saying 'rising fuel prices and reduced passenger numbers have proved to be insurmountable'.

Airlines Manx2.com and Flybe have said they will help stranded passengers, while around 70 people on the Isle of Man have lost their jobs as a result of the airline going into receivership.

In a statement on its website EuroManx said: "It is with great regret that EuroManx have announced today that the company is ceasing operations forthwith with no further flights being operated. All passengers with tickets for EuroManx services can be assured that alternative arrangements are being sourced.

Thomas Cook Airlines adds BIA flights

Thomas Cook Airlines has expanded its network of routes from Birmingham International Airport (BIA).

The low-cost carrier is now operating direct flights to Skiathos in Greece and Hurghada in Egypt as part of its summer schedule, which was launched yesterday (May 8).

Birmingham to Hamburg service takes off

The first Lufthansa flight between Birmingham and Hamburg has got off to a successful start, offering passengers the choice of six flights a week.

Flights will operate Monday to Saturday, with a departure time of 11.30am from Birmingham, arriving into Hamburg at 2.10pm, with the flight from Germany heading out at 10.15am and landing in the West Midlands at 11am.

SAA opens new Heathrow lounge

South African Airways (SAA) has moved into its new lounge at London Heathrow Airport.

The national carrier will now share its business class lounge with two fellow Star Alliance carriers - bmi and United Airlines.

By sharing a common platform the airlines say they can cut costs without compromising high standards of service for regular flyers.

Thomas Cook sets up Bradford base

Thomas Cook Airlines has based a new aircraft at Leeds Bradford Airport.

The airline will now operate an Airbus A320 out of the regional airport, flying to a total of 17 destinations and increasing its summer capacity by 20 per cent.

Delta begins Edinburgh to NY service

Delta Air Lines has begun operating its new service from Edinburgh Airport to New York's JFK Airport.

The US carrier now joins Continental Airlines as the only operators to fly direct from Scotland to New York, though US Airways operates services between Glasgow and Philadelphia.

Virgin Atlantic and low-cost carrier Flyglobespan also currently fly to Florida from Scotland's largest city.

Holiday flights to Croatia and Sardinia from Norwich

Regional airline Eastern Airways has teamed up with travel company Holiday Options to provide summer charter flights from Norwich Airport.

Weekly flights will start later this month to Dubrovnik in Croatia and Alghero in Sardinia, offering travellers a link to the Mediterranean from East Anglia.

Singapore Airlines receives fourth A380

Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of its fourth Airbus A380 superjumbo, the world's largest airliner.

The carrier will be using the double-decker jet to service its new Singapore to Tokyo link, which is due to begin operations on May 20.

It had already received three of the massive aircraft and has been using them on its Singapore to London and Sydney routes since last October.

Lufthansa trials mobile boarding pass

German national carrier Lufthansa is trialling a new mobile boarding pass service on two of its domestic routes.

People who fly with the airline from Hamburg to Munich or Frankfurt can now request an electronic boarding pass via email or SMS text message when they check-in online.

Zoom expands Cardiff to Toronto service

Zoom Airlines has revealed plans to expand its service from Cardiff International Airport to Toronto.

The carrier announced on Friday (April 25) that an additional direct service to the Canadian city will be launched in July this year.

Flights to Toronto will operate on Mondays and Wednesdays with a weekly service to Vancouver departing on Thursdays as part of the carrier's summer schedule, which is due to start at the beginning of May.

New Spanish routes from Norwich Airport

Low-cost carrier LTE is launching three new services to Spain from Norwich Airport.

The airline will begin operating weekly connections to Alicante, Barcelona and Palma on July 5, with one-way fares starting from £69 including all taxes and surcharges.

"We are delighted to welcome LTE to Norwich, for their first scheduled UK services," commented the airport's managing director, Richard Jenner. "They are an established charter airline, having worked with UK tour operators such as Thomas Cook and Thomson."

Silverjet steps in for Eos flyers

Silverjet has offered to make alternative arrangements for passengers affected by the collapse of former competitor Eos Airlines.

The loss-making all-business class carrier declared bankruptcy yesterday (April 27), citing the failure of a last-ditch attempt to raise $50 million (£25 million) from investors.

And with hundreds of passengers now unable to make use of its London Stansted to New York JFK connection, Silverjet has stepped in to accommodate stranded flyers by matching the price of their original fare.

Lithuanian Airlines launches Palanga service

FlyLAL, also known as Lithuanian Airlines, is to launch a new direct service from London Stansted to Palanga.

From May 17, the Lithuanian national carrier will be operating two weekly flights to the coastal resort town, situated in the west of the country on the Baltic Sea.

New jobs after Zoom expands Gatwick routes

Low-cost carrier Zoom Airlines has created new jobs at London Gatwick following the expansion of routes from the airport.

More than 60 new positions have been created due to the introduction of twice-weekly services from Fort Lauderdale, starting in May, and San Diego, beginning in June.

The expansion means that Zoom is offering 33 per cent more seats on its schedule this summer than last year.

SWISS introduces new seats on European fleet

Swiss International Air Lines has completed its update of aircraft seating on its European fleet, allowing customers greater legroom and more comfort.

A total of 52 aircraft now have the innovative Recaro seat in their business and economy class, which have carbon frames and leather upholstery.

LOT: only carrier between Heathrow and Warsaw

Polish national carrier LOT is now the only airline serving London Heathrow to Warsaw, following British Airway's decision to move its service to Gatwick.

LOT is the exclusive operator of the routes, providing three daily flights to Warsaw from London Heathrow’s Terminal 1.

The airline offers a full Business Class service aboard its Boeing 737-400 and 737-500 aircraft, and recently introduced online check-in facilities for its Warsaw-bound passengers.

Iceland Express announces new service from Gatwick

Iceland Express has announced that it will be launching a new service from Gatwick to Reykjavik from this September.

The carrier will operate the service five times a week from the airport, beginning on September 16, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Early morning flight to Stavanger introduced

Passengers using Eastern Airways to travel to Stavanger in Norway will now be able to use a new early morning flight.

Business and leisure travellers can arrive into the country by 9am by taking a new 6.50am flight, which will begin operating on May 12, leaving Aberdeen airport every week day.

Those flying back from Norway can leave Stavanger on a 9.40am flight, arriving into Aberdeen at 9.50am.

Manx2.com carries 100,000th customer

Isle of Man carrier, Manx2.com, has flown its 100,000th customer on one of the airline's seven routes.

These include Belfast City and International, Blackpool, Leeds, Gloucester, Nottingham East Midlands and Jersey and the carrier operates 184 flights each week.

Communications director James Filleul said that the airline had been built up "from scratch" from when it was launched in July 2006 when it offered three routes, and around 72 services each week.

Direct route to Stavanger launched

From next month Eastern Airways will operate a non-stop service between Newcastle and Stavanger.

The regional airline will offer a daily service, operating during the working week, from May 12 with flight times that are likely to appeal to business travellers.

Flights will depart Newcastle at 9.50am, arriving in Stavanger at 12.40pm, with the return journey heading out of the Norwegian city at 1.10pm before getting back into the North East of England at 2pm.

Cathay Pacific's rise in passenger numbers

Cathay Pacific has released new traffic figures which show a continued rise in the number of passengers travelling with the airline.

A total of 2,164,663 passengers flew with Cathay Pacific in March, amounting to a 16 per cent year-on-year increase.

The passenger load factor for the month also rose by 2.4 per cent to reach 82.1 per cent, as did capacity - measured in available seat kilometres - which was up by 13.7 per cent.

Lufthansa 'most reliable airline' at Heathrow in 2007

Lufthansa has been declared the "most reliable" airline to operate out of Heathrow Airport, following publication of new data.

The Punctuality Statistics for 2007 looked at flight times of the 30 biggest carriers which served the London-based hub in 2007 and found that the average delay of a Lufthansa flight was 12.22 minutes.

This was more than seven minutes less than Heathrow's average delay. The figures were sourced from the Civil Aviation Authority and are available via Flightontime.info.

High fuel costs led to Oasis' collapse, says airline

The founders of budget Hong Kong airline Oasis have blamed soaring fuel costs and the acquisition of aircraft for the airline's collapse.

Raymond and Priscilla Lee, who launched the service in 2006, said in an open letter published today (April 10), that the company's original business plan was based on aircraft rental, not purchase. They went on to add that the high price had also been a key factor.

"The hike of the oil prices has also affected us severely. As a newly started airline, we have found it next to impossible to obtain a credit facility from financial institutions to carry out fuel-hedging programmes. We only managed to hedge once successfully.

Oasis goes bust, leaving flyers stranded

Hundreds of people have been left stranded after Oasis Hong Kong Airlines announced this morning (April 9) that it was going into liquidation.

The carrier has been forced to cancel this evening's service between Gatwick and Hong Kong, scheduled for 8.40pm.

As a result, many, including children returning after the Easter school holidays, have been left without flights, a spokeswoman in London for Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific told the Metro.

Silverjet launches website designed for mobile phones

Business class only airline Silverjet has launched a website that allows its customers to book flights, check flight schedules, select seats and choose meals from their mobile phone.

The airline's Silverjet Mobile website can be accessed through the web browser on a hand held device, or for those in the UK, they can also text ‘Silverjet’ to 60767 to receive a link via SMS.

The technology behind the website should recognise the mobile phone being used and optimise the display and adapt functionality accordingly.

New cabins introduced on Cathay Pacific's long-haul routes

Cathay Pacific is introducing new-look cabins on its long-haul routes.

The cabins will have new seats with a "fixed back" design, allowing passengers to recline without encroaching on others with specifically designed frames and structures to maximise knee and shin space. Awkward fixtures and fittings have also been removed.

A well as a new "fishbone" cabin design, in-flight entertainment has been improved, with the introduction of a bigger personal television, while audio and video entertainment on demand is now available.

Eastern Airways increases flight frequency

Regional airline Eastern Airways is to increase the frequency of flights it offers from a number of UK airports.

From Monday (April 7) the carrier will operate four flights a day from Leeds Bradford to both Southampton and Aberdeen, while three flights a day will be available on its Newcastle to Cardiff service.

Eastern Airways' link from Manchester to Stansted will be expanded to offer passengers the choice of four flights a day from Monday to Thursday.

More flights on offer from Newcastle to Copenhagen

Danish airline Cimber Air has increased the frequency of flights it offers from Newcastle Airport to Copenhagen.

From April 2 the airline will operate three extra flights a week to the Danish capital, bringing the total number of weekly scheduled services to ten, allowing passengers a greater choice of connecting flights.

Chris Sanders, of Newcastle Airport, said: "We are very pleased that Cimber Air has chosen to increase the frequency of flights from our region to Copenhagen.

Deal for Alitalia collapses

Troubled Alitalia has seen its chairman step down and its shares suspended as talks over its sale to Air France-KLM collapse.

Maurizio Prato resigned after Air France-KLM announced it was unwilling to continue talks with unions, claiming "there was no longer any basis for further negotiations".

Alitalia's chairman expressed his disappointment at the ending of talks by stepping down, a move which meant the suspension of trading in the shares of the Italian flag carrier, and he warned that the airline faced bankruptcy if no deal was signed.

EuroManx moves terminals at Manchester Airport

Isle of Man airline EuroManx has announced that it has moved its operations at Manchester Airport, promising passengers a speedier journey through check-in.

The airline was based at Terminal 1, but from yesterday (March 30) passengers will be able to check-in at desk 15 in Terminal 3, a move that EuroManx believes will benefit its customers.

'Most punctual' airline from Newcastle and Birmingham

Eastern Airways is the most punctual scheduled airline departing from Newcastle and Birmingham airports, according to new figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The data, which was collected by on-line aviation analysts Flightontime.info, showed that the regional airline was for the second year running the most punctual airline from Newcastle. Eastern Airways has also previously been named number one on-time airline at Birmingham.

Air France KLM to build 'major global airline group'

Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Chairman and Chief Executive of Air France KLM has announced that the airline is committed to helping Alitalia to achieve long-term recovery.

Speaking at a meeting with national representatives from the main Italian trade unions at Alitalia's head office yesterday (Tuesday, March 18), Spinetta said that the group would be providing Altialia with investment capital of €1 billion (£784 million).

"The aim of the AF KL Group is not to take over Alitalia, but to see whether it is possible to build a major global airline group together with the entire Alitalia workforce.

Alitalia agrees to Air France-KLM deal

© Air France-KLM

The Italian government has given the go-ahead to plans to sell Alitalia, the country's flag carrier, to Air France-KLM.

Alitalia, which has debts of €1.2bn (£921m), has been struggling for several years and despite intervention by the Italian government - it owns 49.9 per cent of the airline - it has been unable to turn things around and challenge low-cost competitors, rising fuel costs or employee unrest.

Now the Economy Minister, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, has said they will enter into discussions with Air France-KLM in an attempt to cut costs, although the threat of 1,600 job losses may spark union unrest.

Lufthansa increases short-haul fuel surcharge

The rising cost of oil is forcing Lufthansa to increase its fuel surcharge for flights within Germany and destinations in its European network.

The airline has said that there will be a €3 increase on its surcharge, taking the cost up to €17 per flight segment, with the new fee coming into effect from March 13.

Lufthansa premiers PA service at Heathrow

A new Personal Assistant service has been introduced at Heathrow Airport by Lufthansa.

The German airline has been trialling the new service for three months and now it has been fully introduced for its First Class customers and HON Circle members.

Heathrow is the first European-based hub to benefit from Lufthansa's PA service.

Passengers departing from Terminal 2 with Lufthansa who want to use the service will be met at check in by their "dedicated Personal Assistant", who will then escort them quickly through security to the Lufthansa lounge.

United Airlines upgrades first class dining experience

United Airlines has revealed plans to overhaul its in-flight dining experience for international first class passengers.

From August, anyone flying in the airline's first class cabin will be able to choose what they want to eat and when they want it to be served, rather than waiting for set meals at specific points.

At the same time, United will be further enhancing its onboard first class dining with the introduction of exclusively produced porcelain tableware and linen.

AA to delay increase in Stansted to New York frequency

American Airlines has revealed that it will delay an increase in the frequency of its service between London Stansted and New York JFK Airport.

The carrier had previously announced that it would be doubling the route's frequency to two flights daily from April 8, but an unnamed representative from the airline told Business Travel World that the change would be delayed until August 1.

Explaining the decision, they told the website that their plans had been affected by the impact of pilot staffing issues on the airline's entire network.

Dubai to Heathrow served by Emirates' super jumbo

© Emirates

Emirates will offer passengers the chance to fly between Dubai and London Heathrow on one of its new Airbus A380 super jumbos later this year.

The airline has announced that the first flight between the two destinations will take place on December 1, in an A380 configured to offer 489 seats - 14 in first class, 76 in business and 399 in economy.

At the same time Emirates said it would begin a flight to New York from Dubai on October 1 and offer a link to Sydney-Auckland from February 1, 2009.

New Isle of Man to East Midlands service

Manx2.com has launched its new direct service between the Isle of Man and East Midlands Airport.

The new route will operate daily from Monday to Friday, with a flight also available on Sunday, and the airline is offering one-way fares on the service from £39 (including taxes and charges) via its website www.manx2.com.

On weekdays, flights depart from Isle of Man at 10.30am, arriving at East Midlands at 11.30am, while the Sunday flight departs at 6.50pm, arriving at 7.50pm.

Eastern Airways increases Stansted to Manchester service

Eastern Airways has announced plans to increase the frequency of its service between London Stansted and Manchester.

From April 7, the airline will operate four flights every weekday in either direction on the route, an increase from the current offering of three flights per weekday.

As a result of the changes, flights will now depart from Stansted at 8.45am, 12.30pm, 4pm and 7.20pm, landing in Manchester at 9.50am, 1.40pm, 5.05pm and 8.25pm respectively.

American Airlines confirms service switch to Heathrow

American Airlines has revealed that it will complete the switch of all its services from London Gatwick to Heathrow later this year, in the wake of the EU-US OpenSkies agreement.

Previously the airline had planned to retain one of its two daily flights between London and Dallas Fort Worth at Gatwick, after the OpenSkies deal comes into force on March 30.

However, The Dallas Morning News has now reported that, from April 13, both American's daily flights to the Texas destination will depart from Heathrow.

Shaheen increases Leeds Bradford to Islamabad frequency

Shaheen Air International has announced plans to increase the frequency of flights on its route between Leeds Bradford and Islamabad.

The airline's increase comes less than a month after the route was initially launched, offering two flights weekly from the Yorkshire airport to the Pakistani city. Its success means that, from March 7, there will be three non-stop, direct, flights between the two destinations.

Leeds Bradford's marketing and business development manager, Sally Ramsey, commented: "After only two weeks of operations the decision to increase the frequency of this service is fantastic news and meets the demands of our passengers."

Go on, take a flight to the Ted Fest with Aer Arann

Aer Arann is to be the official airline for "pilgrims" heading to Craggy Island later this month to take part in the official Ted Fest celebrations.

The festival is a tribute to the popular Channel 4 comedy programme and Aer Arann will be laying flights on from Luton, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh to the Aran Islands.

The festival takes place in two locations, inland Ireland at the town of Kilfenora (February 25 to 27), and on the Aran Island of Inis Mor (February 29 to March 2), which will celebrate the island’s alias of Craggy Island, starting with a cabaret night, and leading onto Sporting Saturday and Spiritual Sunday.

JAL increases fuel surcharges

Japanese airline JAL has announced an imminent increase in the fuel surcharge it levies on international flights.

The change will come into effect on April 1 and apply to all tickets issued over a three-month period until June 30.

Tickets for flights between the UK and Japan, booked outside Japan, will be subject to a surcharge increase of £20 from $141 (£72) to $180 (£92).

Zoom reveals Belfast to Canada summer schedule

Zoom Airlines has announced details of the summer 2008 schedule for its routes between Belfast and both Vancouver and Toronto.

The carrier will continue to offer twice-weekly direct flights to Toronto, departing on Fridays and Mondays, with fares available from £369 return, including taxes.

At the same time it will retain its status as the only airline offering direct flights from either Northern Ireland or the Irish Republic to Vancouver, with a weekly service departing on Thursdays.

KD avia increases Gatwick to Kaliningrad frequency

Russian airline KD avia has revealed details of increased frequency on its service between London Gatwick and the Russian city of Kaliningrad.

The airline currently offers a three-times weekly service on the route, but, as of this summer, flights will depart daily from Gatwick, leaving at 5.15pm and arriving in Kaliningrad at 9.35pm (local time).

With a flight time of two hours 20 minutes and a full meal in-flight service available, KD avia's UK sales manager Loreta Durrell claimed that the increased frequency would benefit both business and leisure passengers.

More flights added to network by Manx2.com

Manx2.com is to add more flights to its route network from the Isle of Man to both Gloucester Airport and Belfast.

An extra flight will leave the Isle of Man for Gloucester at 2.30pm every Thursday, heading back at 4pm, while the airline's Belfast service will see a 20 per cent increase in the number of flights available.

James Filleul, of Manx2.com ,said: "Gloucester has been a real success both for us and for the seven thousand customers we've already carried on the route.

Zoom announces new US routes from Gatwick

Zoom Airlines has announced plans to offer two new direct routes to US destinations from London Gatwick Airport.

From May 2008 the Canadian airline will be operating flights to Fort Lauderdale in Florida, with a new service to the Californian city of San Diego to be launched in June.

Flights to Fort Lauderdale will depart from Gatwick twice-weekly, on Thursday and Sunday, with return fares available from £399, including taxes and charges.

Eos Airlines announces new routes to Dubai and Newark

All-business class carrier Eos Airlines is to begin fights to Dubai and Newark, New Jersey, later this year.

The airline has said it will begin a daily service between London's Stansted Airport and Dubai International Airport starting on July 6, while it will enhance its North American offering with flights to Newark International starting on May 5.

Jack Williams, Eos’ president and CEO, said: "Our community includes many guests and investors from the Gulf region who feel that Dubai and Eos are a perfect fit. UAE consumers appreciate products and services of the highest quality and we’ve created a travel experience that authentically reflects their lifestyle, an extension of the way they want to live while flying."

US Airways concerned over Heathrow fuel supplies

US Airways has expressed concerns over its ability to secure fuel supplies at London Heathrow for its new service scheduled to begin operating from the airport next month.

The airline is the only carrier using the airport not to have been able to guarantee a service for the re-fuelling of its new route and is now considering legal action against Heathrow's owner BAA, The Independent reported.

A spokesman for US Airways told the newspaper that the situation had arisen despite the existence of an agreement between airlines to share fuel supplies at the airport.

"We are working every possible angle to acquire fuel at Heathrow and have been ever since we announced our start-up last November," he said.

Qatar boosts Heathrow to Doha service

Qatar Airways has unveiled plans to increase the frequency of its service between London Heathrow and the Qatari capital Doha.

The changes mean that, from March 30, the airline will operate four daily non-stop flights between the two destinations.

A new journey will depart Heathrow at 7.55am, arriving in Doha at 4.50pm (local time), with an additional return flight departing from Doha at 4.35pm (local time) and arriving in London at 10pm.

Announcing the increased frequency, Qatar Airway's chief executive Akbar Al Bakar said: "We are delighted to be adding capacity on what is an extremely popular route with both business and leisure travellers.

Aegean unveils new Stansted to Athens service

Aegean Airlines is set to operate a new service between London Stansted and Athens, with flights scheduled to begin on May 15.

The new route will offer two daily departures in either direction, with flights scheduled to depart from Stansted at 10.20am and 8pm and return journeys leaving Athens at 7.30am and 5.10pm (local time).

The carrier has also revealed that it plans to use its new 195-seater Airbus A321 planes on the route.

Stansted represents the first UK base for Aegean, with the airline currently offering both domestic flights within Greece and a number of international routes.

LOT resumes Manchester to Poland flights

LOT has resumed its services between Manchester Airport and the Polish cities of Warsaw and Cracow.

The Polish airline's flights are being operated by Centralwings as part of a code-sharing agreement between the two carriers.

Flights between Manchester and Warsaw will operate on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, with Manchester to Cracow flights available on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

clickair announces new Gatwick to Bilbao service

Low-cost Spanish airline clickair has revealed plans to launch a new service between London Gatwick and the Spanish city of Bilbao.

The route is set to be launched on March 30, with clickair hoping to schedule a daily service departing Gatwick at 9.55am, arriving in Bilbao at 10.45am (local time) and return flights departing Bilbao at 11.35am and arriving in the UK at 2.20pm.

One-way fares on the route, which the airline is taking over from Iberia, start at £32 from Gatwick and £16 for the return leg.

CityJet Shannon to Paris service launched

CityJet has launched a new Shannon to Paris service, with the airline claiming that the majority of passengers will be using the new route to make international connections.

During the week flights will operate twice-daily in each direction, with the service reduced to one journey each way at weekends.

The launch of the new route comes just weeks after Aer Lingus relocated its Heathrow service from Shannon to Belfast City Airport, and Shannon's management were positive about the launch.

SAS upgrades Economy Extra service

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has upgraded Economy Extra, the premium economy class, on its long-haul network.

The changes include an improved quality of ingredients and expanded menu for its in-flight menu, with the size of the meals also increasing.

Economy Extra was originally launched in 2002, offering passengers wider, more comfortable, seating and quicker, easier check-in, as well as a larger baggage allowance and on-board food and drink.

Skydrift plans new Norwich to Netherlands route

Skydrift has announced plans to launch a scheduled service between Norwich Airport and the Dutch city of Den Helder.

The new route would be principally targeted towards business travellers, providing a link between the UK and the centre of the Dutch offshore gas business, The Eastern Daily Press reported.

However, the firm's operations manager, Tab Taberham, told the newspaper that the new service would also be available to non-business passengers.

"We think there is a market for travel between Norwich and Den Helder," he said. "Our initial plan to operate twice-daily flights on a Monday and Friday and, if that is a success, [to] introduce services on other days of the week."

Eastern to end Inverness to Birmingham flights

Eastern Airways has announced plans to withdraw its service between Inverness and Birmingham, following Flybe's decision to announce a competing daily service on the route.

The current service, which operates twice every weekday, will end on March 30, with the airline advising that passengers booked onto flights after that date would receive a full refund.

A spokesman for Eastern told The Press and Journal that the removal of their service was directly influenced by Inverness Airport's decision to allow Flybe to operate on the route.

Eastern Airways boosts services from Leeds Bradford

Eastern Airways has announced plans to increase the frequency of two of its routes from Leeds Bradford airport.

From March 3, the airline will operate four instead of three flights every weekday between the Yorkshire airport and Southampton.

At the same time the frequency of weekday flights between Leeds Bradford and Aberdeen will also increase from three to four.

Aberdeen airline suspends operations

Aberdeen-based City Star Airlines has announced the suspension of its operations with immediate effect.

The carrier came to the decision as a result of financial difficulties it had suffered following an incident at Aberdeen Airport last November that led to the grounding of one of its aircraft.

City Star made 15 staff redundant in December and, in a statement, the airline's managing director Runar Fossadal Arnason explained that they had not been able to maintain their services following the setback.

Shetland to Bergen service from Loganair starts in summer

Loganair is to offer scheduled flights between Shetland and Norway, returning to the route after a gap of three years.

The new service will operate twice a week between Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, and Shetland with the route set to start on June 7 and continue until August 30.

It is hoped that today's announcement will be the first stage in the development of the link between Scotland and Norway.

Air Malta unveils summer schedule

Air Malta has announced its summer schedule, with the new timetables offering increased frequency on routes between the UK and the Mediterranean.

With effect from May 1, the airline will offer eight flights a week between Manchester and Malta, including an extra flight on Fridays, Travelmole reported.

Passengers flying from London Gatwick to Catania on Sicily will also benefit from an extra Friday flight, starting on April 4, increasing the route's frequency to five-times weekly.

Aer Arann launches VIP option for frequent flyers

Aer Arann has launched a new scheme for frequent flyers, offering passengers a range of benefits during both the booking process and once on board their services.

The Silver Club will be operated on an invitation-only basis for passengers viewed by the airline as being their most loyal.

Among the benefits for members of the club are access to their business lounges at Cork and Dublin airports, zero change fees on all routes and an increased checked-in baggage allowance.

Cork gets summer link to La Rochelle

Aer Arann has announced the launch of a new summer service between Cork and the French coastal town of La Rochelle.

Weekly flights will operate every Saturday, starting on May 24 and continuing until September 13, with one-way tickets starting from €69 (£51).

Flights will depart Cork at 1.00pm, arriving in France at 4.05pm, while the return service heads out of La Rochelle at 4.45pm landing back in Cork at 5.50pm.

Atlas Blue launches carbon offsetting scheme

Budget airline Atlas Blue has launched a new carbon offsetting scheme as part of its booking platform.

The Moroccan carrier has established the scheme in association with technology firm Airsavings SA, whose software will calculate flight emissions and the relevant offset.

Offsetting contributions made when booking flights on the Atlas Blue website will go directly to ActionCarbone, an organisation funding projects including tree planting and the introduction of renewable energy.

Silverjet eyes Doha expansion

Silverjet looks set to expand its operations to increase links between the UK and Middle-Eastern destinations.

The Luton-based airline has revealed plans to establish a franchise in the Qatari capital Doha, with a view to operating flights to destinations worldwide, including Europe.

Though the project had only just got underway, the company's chief executive, Lawrence Hunt told The Gulf Times that they were in the process of attempting to secure investment for the development, which could cost in the region of $100 million (£50 million).

Etihad boosts Dublin to Abu Dhabi service

Etihad Airways has announced plans to increase the frequency of its flights between Ireland and Abu Dhabi.

With effect from March 30, the airline will operate a daily service between Dublin and the Emirate, increasing from its current six-times weekly frequency.

The carrier cited the success of the route since its launch last July, with the service carrying more than 44,000 passengers.

New Birmingham to Hamburg link from Lufthansa

Lufthansa has announced the launch of a new service between Birmingham International Airport and Hamburg.

Flights will operate Monday to Saturday, with the first passengers set to jet off on March 31, and one-way tickets start from £39 in economy, with fares also available in the business class cabin.

Departing Birmingham at 8.15am, flights will arrive into Hamburg at 10.55am, with a return flight operating the next day and heading out of Germany at 7am, landing back in the West Midlands at 7.45am.

Lufthansa launches London City to Berlin route

Lufthansa has launched a new twice-daily service from London City Airport to Berlin, claiming the new route represents the fastest journey yet between the two cities.

Flights depart at 9.40am and 6pm from London City, arriving at Berlin's Tegel Airport at 12.25pm and 8.45pm (local time) respectively, while return journeys leave the German capital at 8.30am and 4.50pm, arriving in London at 9.10am and 5.30pm.

Launching the new route, Dr Karsten Benz of Lufthansa said: "Both the business and the leisure travellers will now have a speedy city-to-city connection to either take advantage of Berlin's growing function as an exhibition hotspot or to just discover its cultural attractiveness."

Aer Arann announces West Ireland to Amsterdam routes

Aer Arann has announced details of two new routes from West Ireland to Amsterdam, as part of a franchise agreement with Nex Aviation.

From May 1, the carrier will operate four-times weekly flights, from both Waterford and Galway (via Waterford), to the Dutch city, with journeys from both airports departing on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

During the week flights will depart from Galway at 7.15am and Waterford at 8.15am, arriving at Amsterdam Schiphol at 10.45pm, with Sunday's flight departing from Galway at 2.30pm, Waterford at 3.30pm and reaching Amsterdam at 6pm.

Cork to Brest flight to be started by Aer Arann

Aer Arann has announced the launch of a new service from Cork to Brest, in France, opening up Brittany to passengers from southern Ireland.

The airline will operate flights on Wednesday and Saturday from May 17, with one-way tickets starting from €69 (£52), and the service will continue until September.

Colin Lewis, head of sales and marketing at Aer Arann said; "We are delighted to be increasing our network of French routes for 2008. Brest is the ideal destination for Cork customer wishing to spend a long weekend exploring the city, or perhaps tour through the dramatic Brittany landscape nearby."