Attempt to ban early morning flights arriving at Heathrow

The governement are being taken to court in an attempt to ban flights landing at Heathrow before 6am.

Three years ago it was discovered that the Department of Transport were accused of failing to act when in fact planes had been placed in the incorrect noise category.

Around sixteen 747 long haul flights arrive at Heathrow between 4.30 and 6.00am.

Coucils taking the court action are accusing the airport of taking advantage of a legal loophole allowing Boeing 747 to land at night but bans other aircraft from doing so.

Lawyers are claiming that residents aren't protected from noise at night and closing this loophole would force airlines to use quieter jets or scrap early arrivals altogether.

Edward Lister Wandsworth Council leader said:

"We are aiming to achieve some much-needed relief for residents in the 4.30-6am period. Those aircraft types which break the rules should be grounded. There are currently no controls at this time of day. If we win, it could mean the Government having to set limits for the first time at a time of day when many people are still asleep."

The case continues.

Man arrested trying to run onto runway at Heathrow Airport

A man armed with a rucksack managed to get past security and onto the runway into the path of an oncoming aircraft at London Heathrow. An enquiry is now being conducted.

The man's actions disrupted flights for the day yesterday, he was arrested just before reaching the tarmac but the north runway was shut whilst armed officers held their guns towards him.

This incident came just 1 day before the Queen was expected to open the new terminal five. It's believed the rucksack contained clothes.

Police have said they don't know the man's motive but are confident it's not terror related. Workers at Heathrow believe it's a sign of protest over the new terminal and he wanted to cause havoc.

Gordon Brown has said that he's satisfied everything possible is being done to ensure security at the opening.

He later said: “I think the important thing about the Heathrow incident is that the person was detained, that all the security precautions went quickly into action, that he’s now being interviewed and that all possible steps were taken so that when this incident happened the arrest took place.”

A BAA spokesman said: “Clearly this incident is a matter of some concern and will be fully investigated in conjunction with the police.”

Twenty flights were cancelled by various airlines and outgoing flights diverted to the south runway.

This incident is the second in a number of weeks where security has been breached.

Singapore Airlines announce A380 flights to Heathrow

Singapore Airlines have announced plans to start flights from Singapore to Heathrow using the A380 commencing March 18th.

The world's largest aircraft is already in service flying to Sydney. The new direct flight to the UK will be the start of a daily return service.

The airline have commented:

"The A380 will provide a capacity expansion on the popular Singapore-London route, for the first time, an aircraft larger than the Boeing 747-400 will fly this route, thereby meaning more seats without the need for more frequencies to what is already one of the world's busiest airports."

More scope for passengers flying with Singapore Airlines

An aviation deal has been agreed between Singapore and the UK.

This new deal will allow Singapore Airlines to pick passengers up from Britain and carry them elsewhere including the US. This will be the same for British carriers in Singapore.

The deal has been described by Singapore as "more liberal" than other agreements and will give the scope for airlines from different nations to operate the same as domestic carriers.

This isn't such a strange concept to Singapore as they already have a similar arrangement with United Arab Emirates. For Britain it's a first.

"This is indeed a trail-blazing agreement concluded between two forward-looking countries that share a common objective of promoting free competition," said Singapore's transport minister Raymond Lim.

We will start to see these changes from March 2008.

Jet Airways to begin flights to Middle East

Indian carrier Jet Airways Ltd has been given the go ahead to add four more routes to the Middle East from January.

The new routes will include flights to Doha, Kuwait, Muscat and Bahrain.

These new flights to the Middle East are likely to commence in February.

The governement is still considering Jet Airways's request to fly on Gulf routes to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Chaos at Heathrow Airport!

Passengers were faced with arrival hell yesterday when they had to wait 9 hours just to reclaim their baggage at Heathrow.

As a result of security reasons baggage handlers struggled with the increase of items put in the hold. This means that travellers are more often than not to expect hefty delays.

This is the second week of disruption for the airport leaving BA and BAA heavily criticised.

In the last month alone BA have lost 22,000 pieces of luggage and the rule of only one piece of hand luggage has only worsened the situation.

Last night BA admitted that the crisis had led to them making special flights with only luggage onboard in an effort to reunite passengers with their possessions.

Baggage handler numbers have also been reduced due to some being relocated in the new terminal 5 building for training purposes. This was later denied by the airline.

People who arrived from Lagos, Nigeria yesterday have said they had to wait from 6am-3pm just to get their baggage.

"I flew in at 6am this morning with my friend. I picked up my luggage at 8am but my friend is still waiting for his and it's now 3pm." Said Adam Kolleve.

A spokesman for BA said: "The average time for the year so far is 30 minutes from the time the plane parks to the first bags coming round on the carousel. Obviously there are times - like when Terminal Four was closed last month - when those delays are more because the airport infrastructure is always at maximum capacity."
Perhaps not the best time to travel with BA!!

Watch out BA and Virgin Atlantic!

BA and Virgin Atlantic will have to watch out, BMI are planning new transatlantic flights. However the move isn’t expected to challenge the two main airlines for at least five years.

The new UK to US route is expected to begin from March 31st next year. Fares across the Atlantic will are expected to be slashed following the open skies deal signed earlier allowing EU airlines to fly to anywhere in the US.

BMI chairman Sir Michael Bishop said: "This is a programme that will last three to five years. We will not over-expand the business or anything like that."

Following suit is low budget carrier Ryanair who are also thinking of introducing a low price transatlantic service.

If these airlines get me to New York cheaper then I think it’s great news!

New hotel plans near Gatwick Airport.

For those of us who find it hard to travel to those major airports in London, a new hotel The Tulip Inn is opening up 2 miles from Gatwick. The new establishment is to be situated in the Manor Royal Business Park.

Peter Roberts Chief Executive of Golden Tulip said: "The existing hotels locally are primarily budget or four star models and the Tulip Inn Gatwick will be the area's first limited service, new generation three star hotel.

"We are confident the hotel will also benefit from the millions of passengers who already arrive at Gatwick annually from Europe where the Golden Tulip and Tulip brands are well-established."

This will be the biggest development by this chain accommodating 204 bedrooms equipped with power showers and air conditioning. It will also pave the way for at least 60 jobs.

Plans for opening are estimated in Autumn 2008.

An exciting prospect for holidaymakers and those on business.

JAL announce reduced airfares for flights commencing May 1st

Welcoming news for passengers planning to jet away with JAL. The airline has announced they are slashing ticket prices for international fares from May 1st.

Flights to North America, Europe and Hawaii will be reduced by 1,000 Yen. Routes to Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines are being cut by 600 Yen, China by 500 Yen and for those going to South Korea fares will be reduced by 300 Yen.

So get booking before they change their minds!!

Extra charge for extra baggage

Passengers travelling with British Airways could be facing charges up to £240 for carrying an extra bag. Check-in staff have been told to act discreetly regarding the charges.

A sympathetic approach could be used towards those who didn’t know of the extra charges yet this period of consideration would only last until the end of September.

A spokeswoman said: “We were always going to do it this way; to have a slow introduction to make sure passengers are aware of the changes. Even so, it is a very small number, less than 2%, of passengers that the new rules effects.”

From today any second bags being checked in will be charged £30 one way on domestic flights, £60 on European flights and up to £120 on long haul flights.

Passengers have always been able to check in a second bag with no extra charge so long as the overall weight of the luggage doesn’t exceed the specified weight restriction. BA has also cut the allowed weight of baggage from 32kg to 23kg on domestic flights.