The Cheap Flights News weekly roundup

British Airways staff, who rejected their management's cost-saving measures this week, may be heading towards a strike. What a shame that would be. There are a million reasons to travel this summer. Seema Salaam has rounded up the best festivals, from the Dubrovnik Summer Festival to the Limassol Wine Festival in Cyprus, not forgetting the messy and really wonderful La Tomatina Festival. 

We're saying bienvenido to Vueling, the cheery low-cost Spanish airline, that, following its merger with Clickair, will start flying from London Heathrow to Bilbao, La Coruna and Seville.

Recession fails to deter business travellers

The recession may have prompted a wave of corporate cost-cutting, but according to new research demand for business travel remains buoyant.

Barclaycard Commercial polled more than 2,200 business people in an effort to seeing how the worsening economic situation has affected their travel habits.

Drunk Brit hands out £45k at Spanish airport

A dishevelled and heavily intoxicated British tourist was taken into police custody yesterday (July 8) after trying to give away £45,000 at Majorca Airport.

The man, described by onlookers as smelly and dressed like a "tramp," drew massive crowds when he began laughing incoherently and handing out bundles of euros.

To the dismay of fellow holidaymakers he was hurriedly spirited away, before being screened by consular officials and then coaxed onto a return flight.

Air passengers urged to sign APD petition

Passengers can now show their solidarity with the airline industry by signing a petition against the planned doubling of Air Passenger Duty (APD).

More than 1,700 signatures have already been gathered for the e-petition, which warns that the regressive tax will drive up airfares and hamper the economic recovery.

Airlines 'vilified' over environmental issues

The aviation industry is being unfairly singled out for criticism from climate change activists, the CEO of one of Europe's first carbon-neutral airlines has claimed.

Writing on CNN's Going Green blog, Jet Republic boss Jonathan Breeze said the sector gets little credit for the "great strides" it has made towards environmental sustainability.

He noted that aviation presently accounts for just 3.5 per cent of global greenhouse emissions, with jet fuel efficiency improving by 60 per cent over the past three decades.

Brits flock to California for Jacko memorial

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have reported surging demand for flights to California as British fans of Michael Jackson scramble to pay their respects.

The 50-year-old superstar died unexpectedly of a heart attack a fortnight ago, just weeks before the start of his hotly anticipated comeback tour at London's O2 Arena.

And with fans still reeling from the disappointment, TMZ.com now reports that thousands of Brits have booked flights to Jacko's home-state to mark his passing.

The Cheap Flights News weekly roundup

The airline industry is volatile these days. One week, Virgin is ordering £1.27 billion worth of Airbus aircraft, unveiling a social media site and offering rewards for online check-in and the next it's scaling back winter flights and warning that there may be redundancies.  British Airways, which had us  gobsmacked with its recent request to workers to forgo a month's pay, this week announced a truly spectacular sale.

Finally, Spring Airlines is recycling one of Michael O'Leary's ideas - no seats!

The Cheap Flights News weekly roundup

British Airways' CEO's request to staff to work part-time (or free or take unpaid leave) to help save the airline was granted. Well, by almost 7,000 employees. Their sacrifices are expected to save the airline about £10 million. At the other end of the scale, Virgin, the other big British airline, revealed that it has spent £1.27 billion on an order for ten Airbus A320s. It also launched a new social media site called vtravelled.com. Speaking of social media, Jet2 followed in Pegasus Airlines' vapour trail with an eye-catching competition on Twitter - the Free Flights Friday Competition. For a digest of the week's travel news, read on...

NEW - AND BOOSTED - ROUTES

Wind Jet to fly from London Luton to Forli
The Catania-based airline will start flying from Luton Airport to Forli on Thursday, July 2.

Scorched Brits ignoring sun safety warnings

Millions of British holidaymakers continue to ignore government advice about sun protection, according to a new survey by Superdrug.

Up to nine million Brits admit to getting sunburnt every single time they go abroad, while a further one in ten say they get burnt twice in the same trip.

The Cheap Flights News weekly roundup

This was the week of the much-reported British Airways offer - work free to help save the airline. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the unions balked at this, but it's a sign of how much pressure airlines are under these days. However, the airlines' difficulty is the traveller's opportunity. Carriers announced several sales and eye-catching promotions this week, such as Pegasus Airlines' offer via its Twitter page.

Passenger numbers may be down but the airports are looking to the future and investing in infrastructure. And finally, as the peak summer season edges closer there is some helpful advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on how to avoid causing offence abroad...

Baggage allowance reminder for UK travellers

Passengers are being reminded of cabin baggage restrictions in place at all UK airports.

The Department for Transport has set a maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm for carry-on luggage, which includes space taken up by wheels, handles and external pockets.

It also continues to impose heavy restrictions on liquid containers, which must be carried in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag and cannot exceed 100ml.

Brits still taking holidays despite crunch

Brits who are worried about the recession will cut back on almost anything except for their prized summer holidays, a new study by easyJet has shown.

The research found that seven out of ten people cannot bring themselves to give up their fortnight in the sun, opting instead for a raft of penny-scrimping tactics.

British holidaymakers 'flouting local customs'

Brits routinely fail to respect the laws and customs of their host country when overseas, according to a new warning from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).

The government department said that hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers behave indecently while abroad each year, causing offence and running the risk of prosecution.

Topless sunbathing accounts for the lion's share of offences, the FCO revealed, with half of all women who engage in the practice failing to check local laws.

Fewer passengers mean shorter delays, CAA figures show

News of declining passenger numbers has a flyer-friendly flip side. According to figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) (website: www.caa.co.uk), the punctuality of UK flights improved over the first three months of this year as passenger numbers declined by 9 per cent and passengers handled fell by 11 per cent.

Business travellers 'warm to cheap flights'

The recession may have caused some company failures, but one new study claims it has also opened up the world of cheap flights to business travellers.

Savings of up to 78 per cent were made available to corporate travellers in the first quarter of the year, according to the latest American Express Business Travel Monitor.

It found that average business class fares have fallen by 7.1 per cent year-on-year, with some major carriers running promotional sales offering half-price seats.

Economic gloom 'good news' for travellers

British holidaymakers stand to reap the benefits of the financial meltdown, it has been claimed, as major airlines slash fares in a bid to fill empty planes.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that the worldwide decline in passenger numbers has prompted a dramatic surge in cheap flight promotions.

UK-based travellers are apparently among the main beneficiaries, with transatlantic economy fares being cut by an average of 34 per cent in March.

Thomas Cook 'not affected' by Arcandor bankruptcy

Thomas Cook has reassured its customers that their bookings will not be affected by the bankruptcy of the travel firm's majority owner, Arcandor.

The German retail group declared itself insolvent this afternoon (June 9) after failing to secure government funding in a last-ditch bailout attempt.

But Thomas Cook has immediately moved to quell suggestions that its holiday services could be affected, insisting that it is "business as usual".

Jamaica tops affordability poll for Brits

Jamaica currently offers British holidaymakers the best exchange rate of any foreign country, according to the International Currency Exchange (ICE).

Travellers who want their pounds to go as far as possible will benefit from the weakness of the Jamaican dollar, which has fallen 24 per cent this year alone.

Airline industry predicts dramatic $9bn loss

Airlines have been told to brace for losses of $9 billion (£5.7 billion) this year, just days after hearing that the worst of the downturn could be over.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) voiced a rare note of optimism in May, pointing to evidence of a slowing decline in air passenger numbers.

But hopes for a recovery have been undermined by the news that the sector is forecast to lose $9 billion this year – double the amount predicted in March.

Airlines move to improve tracing of lost bags

The aviation industry may have come up with a way to use technology to better serve customers whose bags have been lost.

Lost bags have long accounted for one of the most frustrating experiences that passengers have to endure, but airlines hope that the introduction of an automated kiosk to help their customers locate lost bags will help ease the frustration.

Air Canada's 'quick drop-off' to debut at London Heathrow

Travellers flying with Air Canada from London Heathrow Airport will soon be able to check-in, tag their own bags and drop-off them off at designated counters.

The Canadian flag carrier has received approval from the Department for Transport to start offering its "Quick Drop-off", said to take less than 30 seconds, at the UK's busiest airport.

Turkey specialist ScotTravel ceases trading

ScotTravel, a tour operator specialising in holidays to Turkey, has gone bust, leaving about 1,500 tourists stranded abroad and thousands more facing disruption to their summer holiday plans.

The Glasgow-based company ran two websites - scottravelholidays.co.uk and guletcruiseonline.co.uk - and had an Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL).

On its website, Scot Travel Holidays, states: Any customers with enquiries should refer to the CAA website at www.caa.co.uk. For any forward departures passengers should not make their way to the airport.

APD hikes will 'suffocate airline industry'

Controversial plans to double Air Passenger Duty (APD) have been labelled "economic madness" by the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA).

General Secretary Jim McAuslan said that the move would "suffocate" the airline industry at a time when it is already suffering from the global downturn.

His warning accompanied research which found that nine out of ten Brits would rather stop over in Amsterdam than pay the full levy on a long-haul flight.

Air France: contact numbers for family/friends of Flight 447 passengers

Air France has published a page on its website with phone numbers for family and friends looking for information about Flight 447.

The aircraft, which was en route from Rio de Janeiro (GIG) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle disappeared from radar screens on Monday morning (June 1), hours after taking off from GIG.

There were 228 passengers and crew on board.

Search for missing Air France aircraft

A search-and-rescue operation is underway in the Atlantic Ocean after an Air France plane disappeared from radar screens at about 6am today (Monday, June 1).

The search for the aircraft is being conducted near the island of Fernando de Noronha, which is 220 miles off the north-eastern coast of Brazil.

Holidaymakers tighten belts for summer

Stressed out Brits may be as keen as ever to take a summer holiday, but according to new research by Tesco Travel Money cost-cutting is now a top priority.

A study by the financial firm has revealed that while more than half of us are heading overseas in 2009, at least one in three will be spending less than last year.

Almost every expense is being targeted by recession-conscious travellers, with 54 per cent cutting back on food and drink, and 43 per cent reining in duty free spending.

Savings on cheap flights and hotel bookings are also being spied by the nation's thrifty jetsetters – 76 per cent of whom say they are drawing up a budget.

'Worst may be over' for airline industry

The airline industry appears to have weathered the brunt of the economic downturn, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Director General Giovanni Bisignani noted that the trend of double-digit falls in passenger numbers has now ended, declaring the "worst may be over".

Brits 'won't leave country without cuppa'

The stereotype that Brits are obsessed with tea appears to hold water, as new research has found that half of us pack teabags when we go abroad.

Supermarket chain Asda carried out the study, in which UK tourists were asked to list which food and drink items they are most likely to take overseas.

Airline industry 'needs support in CO2 fight'

Governments around the world must work harder to support the airline industry as it seeks to meet ambitious targets for environmental performance.

That's according to Giovanni Bisignani, the president of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), who praised the sector for its "good track record" on green issues.

Confusion over local currencies 'costs £1bn'

British holidaymakers throw away almost £1 billion each year because they find local currencies so confusing, new research has revealed.

Nearly two thirds of all travellers go over-budget while abroad, according to the study, with many admitting that they treat foreign currency like 'monopoly money'.

Travel insurance reminder for bargain hunters

Holidaymakers who wait until the last minute to snap up a bargain trip have been reminded about the importance of taking out travel insurance.

The AA cited new research which shows that half of all European single-trip travel insurance policies are taken out less than three days before departure.

Marriott Hotels scoops environmental award

Hotels operated by Marriott International are among the greenest in the world, according to latest The Sunday Times' Green List.

The company came 17th in a compendium of the 60 most environmentally friendly firms in Britain, making it the highest ranking hotel chain.

Holidaymakers 'addicted to Twitter and Facebook'

Millions of Brits are so hooked on Twitter and Facebook that they can't tear themselves away from the micro-blogging services even when on holiday.

That's according to new research by lastminute.com, which has found that four out of ten young people admit to constantly updating their status when abroad.

Bank holiday exodus starts at UK airports

Spain, Turkey, Egypt and Florida are the destinations of choice for holidaymakers heading off this weekend. The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) is estimating that 1.8 million travellers will depart the nation's airports this Spring Bank Holiday, which also marks the start of the school half term.

Perennial city-break favourites Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, Rome and New York are also attracting the greatest number of visitors, Abta reports.

High Court challenge over Cypriot flight ban

A High Court challenge has been launched over the government's 35-year-old ban on direct flights from Britain to Northern Cyprus, The Daily Mail reports.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines (CTA) and its UK tour operator, CTA Holidays Limited, are seeking to overturn the rule that all flights bound for Northern Cyprus must stop over in Turkey.

ABTA renews call for £1 levy on all UK flights

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has called on the aviation industry to add a £1 levy to all flights in order to give travellers financial protection.

Andy Cooper, ABTA Development Director, told MPs that the charge is the "only solution" to ensuring that holidaymakers are not left out of pocket by bankruptcies.

Which?: Don't use airport bureaux de change

Holidaymakers are being left out of pocket by rip-off bureaux de change that cost almost £50 more than currency exchanges on the high street.

That's according to consumer watchdog Which?, whose staff uncovered some surprising results when they compared rates from 21 different providers.

Study: Women better at finding cheap flights

An intriguing new study by AirPlus International has found that women are inherently better at sniffing out cheap flights than their male counterparts.

The card payment firm conducted research which found that women travellers tend to plan ahead earlier than men, thereby securing the best deals.

Most Britons 'sceptical' of summer sun forecast

An overwhelming majority of Britons remain deeply sceptical about predictions of a baking hot summer in the UK, new research has revealed.

While the Met Office has forecast "a barbeque summer" with temperatures soaring well into the 30s, Thomas Cook says just one in five Brits believe the hype.

Flights to Oslo for next year's Eurovision Song Contest?

Saturday night's Eurovision Song Contest was quite the spectacle. There was Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber accompanying UK hopeful Jade Ewan, Dita Von Teese appearing with the German representatives, a Ronan-Keating-penned song for Denmark and a mesmerising interval act which featured suspended swimming pools. There was even a link-up with the International Space Station as cosmonauts, quoting Yuri Gagarin, opened the phonelines for voting.

Norway quickly ran away with the Eurovision, clocking up 387 points - and smashing the record for the most points awarded during the competition - for Alexander Rybak.

FCO lifts advisory against all but essential travel/flights to Mexico

Flights to Mexico will soon be taking off again after the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) lifted its advisory against all but essential travel to the country.

In a statement on its website (released late on Friday, May 15), the FCO said: "Following a decline in the number of reported new swine influenza cases in Mexico since its peak on April 26, we no longer advise against all but essential travel."

EU achieves transparency improvements to airlines’ sites

Following complaints that many airlines’ websites were not conforming in terms of compliance with consumer protection rules, the European Union (EU) started an enforcement investigation in September 2007.

Yesterday (Thursday, May 14), they announced that a "step change" in airlines’ ticket selling websites across Europe had been achieved.

The findings feature in a final report on an 18 month EU-wide process to crackdown on misleading advertising and unfair practices.

EU clampdown on deceptive ticketing sites

Airline booking websites that pre-select optional extras while keeping other charges hidden from consumers have been given a final warning by the European Union (EU).

The union said that it could force the closure of certain carriers' websites if they continue to flout its rules, which are intended to protect consumers.

Recession 'prompts surge in cheap flights'

Passengers are become more adept at hunting out cheap flights, as the global economic downturn sinks its teeth further into consumers' purse-strings.

That's according to David Clarke of Australian travel firm Webjet, who told The Sydney Morning Herald that several factors are driving up the availability of discount tickets.

Jumbo jet sucks baggage cart into engine

A Boeing 747 operated by Japan Airlines was grounded at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday after one of its engines sucked up a baggage cart.

The bizarre incident – which involved a metal container used to transport luggage – occurred just as the plane was preparing to take off at about 1pm local time.

Bookings to Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Egypt up as travellers avoid Mexico

Swine-flu hit Mexico may be off the radar as far as holidays are concerned this summer, but travellers are still planning - and booking - their breaks. Holidays in destinations such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Egypt are selling well, according to figures released by TUI Travel, the owner of Thomson Holidays.

Europe's biggest tour operator, quoted in a report in The Telegraph, says that bookings to the Dominican Republic are up by 19 per cent, Egypt bookings are up by 23 per cent and Jamaica up by 30 per cent.

Cheap flights to Morocco with Air Arabia Maroc

A new low-cost airline, founded by Air Arabia, has started flying from Casablanca, Morocco, to London.

Air Arabia Maroc's (website: www.airarabia.com) inaugural flights from Casablanca to London Stansted Airport took off late last week.

There will be four services per week and flights cost from £77 one-way including taxes.

More flights to Mexico cancelled

Thomson and First Choice have extended their suspension of flights to Mexico, in spite of growing optimism about Swine Flu among medical experts.

The carriers' moratorium on flights to Cancun and Cozumel will now run through to at least May 12, with all affected passengers being offered a full refund.

Etihad unveils brand new first class suites

Etihad Airways has unveiled its most luxurious first class cabin suite to date, cementing its reputation as one of the Middle East's leading business class airlines.

Accessed by its own sliding door, each private suite features a fully reclinable bed alongside a personal changing room with full-length mirror, wardrobe and wash basin.

Continental resurrects Heathrow to Cleveland link

Continental Airlines has begun flying daily from London Heathrow to Cleveland, replacing a seasonal connection that it ran from Gatwick Airport last year.

The US carrier is operating non-stop flights to its Ohio base until September 25, with outbound services departing at 11.40am and touching down at 3.30pm.