Airport Parking News - Current Articles

From time to time UK airports issue news items affecting either traveling to the airport , new routes, airport layout changes, airport parking price amendments and traffic problems. The following may be of help to our customers, however, we strongly recommend that you visit the airport sites for up to the minute information.

March 11th 2010

Greener seats for Jet2 out of East Midlands Airport planned for 2010.

Budget airline Jet2 is going to reduce fuel consumption by installing new lighter seats on its aircraft as part of a complete refurbishment of its fleet.

The low fares carrier showcased the specially designed seats as it  committed itself to the introduction of seven routes from East Midlands Airport this summer. All 10 aircraft will be fitted with the new seats, which provide extra leg room, by the end of May. The airline is to serve Corfu, Lanzarote, Paphos, Dalaman, Heraklion, Sharm el Sheikh and Tenerife from East Midlands.  

Flights commence on May 19 , and it is estimated that the initiative will create  more than 200 jobs. The airline will offer in excess of 130,000 seats to popular summer destinations with prices starting at £59.99 one-way including taxes.

The specially commissioned seats are said to be more comfortable and weighing less than the ones they are replacing means less fuel will be consumed, resulting in lower fares and fewer emmissions.

Managing director Ian Doubtfire said: “The seating is a great in-road for us and will make a huge difference both to customer experience and fuel consumption – meaning that we can save our customers money and reduce environmental impact at the same time.

Jet2.com is to base a single 757 at East Midlands for this summer and is planning route developments for 2011.  

March 9th 2010

British Airways and American Airways announce global alliance

American Airways and BA as expected have decided the best way forward is to cooperate on air fares and their respective schedules as a way to reduce operating costs. The American Department for transportation has already given the go ahead and now it will be the turn of the European competition authorities to have their say.

The first reaction from their competitors and most commentators is that this will reduce competition and push up costs especially where the airlines are already dominant. BA have countered by saying that this will allow customers access to a much larger network which will be dovetailed to make easier connections across Europe and the USA.

From their viewpoint the synergy is clear to see , by not clashing over the same routes they can either extend the number of  times per day that route is flown or simply reduce the number of flights depending upon traffic flows.

They also strongly contend customers by belonging to a bigger network will have a bigger choice of when they can travel with less time spent at airports waiting for their next connection because of the intended dovetailing. The airlines of Iberia, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian will also become part of this alliance. At the end of the day this is no difference to this alliance than the already existing Star Alliance

No doubt both airlines will also argue that the recession has changed the face of business travel and it makes economic sense for this alliance to be made when airlines all over the world are facing massive losses.

Virgin Atlantic have already entered the fray complaining that BA already holds 40% of the Heathrow slots including the lucrative travel market to the USA and with the tie up with AA and Iberia this will rise to nearly 50% and such dominance cannot be in the interests of the customers. They are asking for a slice of these slots to be given over to other airlines including themselves.

March 3rd 2010

Elvis anniversary at Prestwick airport

On March 3rd 1960 Elvis Presley who was then 25 landed at Prestwick Airport to refuel his plane.He was returning home after serving two years military service in Germany. Many fans had gathered at the perimeter fence and were ecstatic when he wandered over and greeted them!   It was the only occasion that Elvis ever visited Britain.  

The Airport is to mark the anniversary with a one day extravaganza to the legendary singer, with the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate his visit.  

Passengers, fans and visitors to Prestwick, will be treated to an amazing show which will kick off next Wednesday morning with the UK's top Elvis impersonator landing in full sergeant’s uniform at the airport  in the morning and being met by the "paparazzi." he will sing a collection of Elvis hits throughout the day. "He" will arrive on a Ryanair flight from London Stansted.

 Performers, including local Ayr boys, the MacDonald Brothers, and students from Strathclyde University will stage  their own unique  performances of Elvis songs.

The Elvis Cleaning Company, all dressed in appropiate attire will be on hand all day to ensure that the Airport is kept clean and tidy, and there will be a Best Dressed Elvis competition- the winner of which will receive free flight tickets to any destination of their choice.

An airport spokesman said that it would be a fantastic opportunity to promote Prestwick  and invited locals and visitors alike to come along dressed  in Elvis outfits.

The event is free and is being sponsered by South Ayrshire council, West FM and local firms.

Parking will cost £1, and all proceeds of the event will go to the Childrens charity Clic sargent who support children with Cancer.

26th February 2010

World Cup teaching theme launched at John Lennon Liverpool Airport.

A set of teaching and learning materials for Key Stage 3 students based on the theme of the 2010 World Cup which is to be staged in South Africa is to take place at Liverpool John Lennon Airport .
This football themed learning medium is the brainchild of former Merseyside Teacher Phil Freeman who believes the excitement that surrounds this year’s World Cup will create ideal learning opportunities for pupils.

Six books and interactive CDs have recently been published by Yorkshire based Cable Educational, each covering different areas of the curriculum including, English, Maths, Science, Food Technology, Geography and Performing Arts. The hope is that schools will use the materials as part of an end-of-term  project during the tournament in June and July.

Students from nearby St Benedict’s College in Garston who have led the initiative, attended the Airport to display some of their work and give a short performance of music and dance from the specially written one-act musical, ‘Own Goal’ which tells the story of a young South African footballer, which is included in the Performing Arts pack.

Those attending the launch were also able to sample traditional African recipes supplied by Jabula, a South African restaurant in Ellesmere Port – including crocodile.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport works with local schools in a number of ways and was delighted to assist by hosting this event, particularly with links to South Africa now available from the Airport with KLM via Amsterdam.

Phil Freeman commented that the World Cup always created a lot of interest in a cross section of pupils and the teaching initiative would offer  a unique opportunity to link so many aspects of education with a global sporting event.

Given that Liverpool is a football mad city the airport expect planes loads of supporters to get behind the England team when the tournamount starts in June and finishes in July. This will co inside with the start of the main summer vacation and the airport is expected to be also full of holidaymaker's and booking your airport parking at Liverpool needs to be done as soon as flight details are known because car parking spaces will be at premium during this period.

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