Low cost champion Ryanair announced recently traffic growth by some 400,000 passengers totaling almost 8 million in April. The figures relate growth based on this year’s Easter travel, according to the airline up by 5% year on year. Lower prices, improved customer service, and added services like allocated seating were said to be major reasons […]
Ryanair
Ryanair Establishes Greece Hub
Early this month Ryanair announced having opened an Athens based hub for operations operating six routes across the Greece region. The low cost airline hopes the new hub will help bolster the 1.2 million passengers per year to then Greek capital, and prop up the 1200 plus jobs Athens Airport benefits from.
Ryanair Bournemouth Flights Add to Crete Splendor
Ryanair has launched another direct route to Crete from the UK. Announced on Tuesday, the Bournemouth Airport flights to Chania in Crete will be a big boom for UK tourists and the Greek Island’s tourism industry as well.
RYANAIR BOOSTS DUBLIN AIRPORT EXPANSION STARTING 2014
Ryanair, the low-cost carrier, announced last week the opening of 9 new Dublin (Ireland) routes starting with April 2014.
Will Montenegro Airlines’ Boss Get Sacked?
In news from Balkans.com, Montenegro Airlines’ CEO, Zoran Djurišić will reportedly be replaced at the end of May on account of the airlines recent heavy losses. Mr. Djurišić has been at the helm of the now beleaguered airline since its creation almost 20 years ago. The airline ended 2012 on a horrendous financial note losing some €23.5 million euro. Meanwhile Ryanair appears ready to take up Montenegro traffic slack if the airline staggers or folds.
El Cheapo Europe Flights Dominate Market
According to the Amadeus Air Traffic Travel Intelligence report recently released, budget flights in Europe and other regions are trending to dominate air travel. The report reveals low cost carriers taking up as much 14% of all air travel, while cheap flights in Europe account for 38% overall.
Europe Airlines and Economic Engines Lost
According to a report from the CAPA Center for Aviation, the 13 largest European airlines lost an aggregate net profit of some 72% last year. With costs growing faster than revenues (8.5% versus 8%) it seems clear some of these 13 will founder if things don’t change.
Boeing Lands Ryanair Contract, Biggest Ever in Europe
Boeing has just landed a Ryanair contract that is the largest ever from a European carrier. Boeing is to supply some 175 aircraft to the budget carrier, the purchase price totals were not disclosed.
Ukraine’s Kolesnikov Fixes UEFA PR Disaster
Since UEFA president Michel Platini blasted hotel owners in Ukraine for alleged price gouging of fans intent on visiting for the 2012 Championships, officials there have been on something of a charming political rampage. Everything from guarantees of more rooms to cut rate airfares now garnish what should have always been a fair sports travel shake.
Malev Grounding Leads to Air Fare Hikes
Following the recent news of Hungarian national carrier Malev’s bankruptcy, air passengers to Southeast Europe are facing fewer choices combined with increased fares, according to travel agents in the region.
Strikes Across Europe – Some Travel Grinds to Halt
Just when you’d think European travelers may have had their fill of airline delays and disruptions, industry workers in the UK, Greece, and France decide it’s time to strike some more. A walk out by taxi drivers in Paris, striking air traffic controllers in Greece, and UK border officials demonstrating, these latest upheavals cannot help Europe travel.
Opodo Deal Gets EU Thumbs Up
Private equity firm Permira, and France’s Axa, have received the “go” from EU regulators in their bid to buy online travel entity Opodo. The two investors intent to merge the Spanish Opodo company with Go Voyages and eDreams will create one of the digital world’s biggest online booking agencies.
Are UK Airlines Rip-Off Artists?
According to a press release from the Air Travel Advisory Bureau, customers of some UK airlines may have been ripped off to the tune of millions of pounds in unreceived refunds, Air Passenger Duty (APD), and canceled airline purchases.
Amadeus Enters the American Airlines Ticket Wars
American Airlines started an online ticket war late last year they may not be able to finish. Now Amadeus is firing warning shots across the cockpits of airlines poised to go it via “direct connect” rather than relying on OTA’s to sell seats. In a bold but quiet move, one of the world’s biggest travel players takes sides with Expedia and Orbitz.
What Ryanair Knows About Lithuania
Ryanair apparently knows something other airlines do not. With traffic to and from destinations like Lithuania growing exponentially, Ryanair’s overall strategy to help grow tourism seems to be paying off. Lithuania as an emerging economy has pretty much the same strategy with perhaps the lowest corporate tax rate in Europe. For travelers all this news spells “deal” basically.