p6 news Apr17 15/4/09 21:27 Page 6
news
ttglive.com
Abta to review
green strategy
ABTA is reviewing its strategy on sustainable
tourism, as it looks to take a lead in combating
the travel industry’s negative impact on
climate change.
The Co-operative Travel managing director
and Abta board member Mike Greenacre this
week criticised the industry for not doing enough
to address the issue.
A vocal opponent of Heathrow’s third runway
(unlike Abta), he claimed businesses and Abta
should do more to force the agenda with a
A
BA sceptical public and a government that is sending
out mixed messages.
Gatwick rocked by 15%
Responding to Greenacre’s comments, Abta
head of communications Casia Zajac admitted
that Greenacre could be right.
She added: “We are looking at a sustainable
drop in seat capacity
strategy at the moment. Following the review
and consultation with members, we may
strengthen our industry role.”
Travel Counsellors chairman David Speakman
Chris Gray.
said he wanted the industry to speak out on what
GATWICK airport has lost nearly half a million he saw as unfair criticism from climate change
seats in the last year as airlines cut frequencies, Passenger figures down too: In separate campaigners. “We need a proper debate. Not a
drop routes and move operations to Heathrow. figures released by BAA, Gatwick suffered the rush to agree with politically motivated agendas
The airport’s scheduled and no-frills capacity biggest fall in passenger numbers of BAA’s but a full investigation of the rights and wrongs
fell by 475,000 seats to 2.65 million in the 12 seven UK airports in March, falling by 17.7% of the climate change lobby’s claims,” he said.
months to March this year, a drop of 15%. compared with the same month last year.
It was the biggest fall in seat volume of any UK Heathrow traffic dropped by 7.5%, Stansted by ■ What do you think? Email your comments
airport, though Stansted, Luton, Manchester and 15.9%, Glasgow by 13%, Southampton by 12.3%, to rmurray@ttglive.com
Glasgow had similar percentage falls. Edinburgh by 3.6% and Aberdeen by 8.1%.
In contrast, Heathrow saw a tiny decrease Overall, BAA’s airports handled 10.6 million
in the number of seats to 7.7 million despite passengers in March, 11.3% down on March
carriers worldwide cutting capacity, according to 2008, although Easter dates affected the figures.
Agents can win
figures from aviation data specialist OAG.
Gatwick’s charter capacity suffered last year Continental Airlines and American Airlines have Mini and £3,000
from the collapse of XL. Scheduled seats also moved from Gatwick to Heathrow. BA has also
took a knock from the failure of Zoom. moved its Atlanta route to Heathrow. JET2.COM is offering to pay one lucky agent’s
A spokesman for Gatwick said the figures However, Gatwick expects this summer’s household bills for an entire year.
demonstrated the impact of the EU-US open scheduled capacity to be similar to last year’s. The prize, worth £3,000, will be awarded
skies agreement, which allowed more carriers New carriers are moving in, with Aer Lingus set- to the agent who books the most flights and
access to Heathrow when it came into force ting up a base at Gatwick this year, and Iceland holidays departing in July and August this year.
at the end of March last year. Since then, Express moving from Stansted to Gatwick in May. The competition, which is being run with Jet2’s
sister brand, tour operator Jet2holidays.com, is
Seat capacity at UK’s leading airports
open until June 30.
Other prizes include a week’s holiday, a city
Gatwick Luton Manchester
Mar 08 3,126,254 Mar 08 1,013,460 Mar 08 1,787,649
break for two and £250 of Jet2 vouchers.
Mar 09 2,650,628 Mar 09 890,718 Mar 09 1,490,704
Also up for grabs is a new Mini Cooper convert-
Down 475,626 (15.2%) Down 122,742 (12%) Down 296,945 (16%) ible, which will be won by the agent who
registers the most flight and holiday bookings
Heathrow Stansted Glasgow
Mar 08 7,722,428 Mar 08 2,370,371 Mar 08 783,552
over the year.
Mar 09 7,707,439 Mar 09 2,026,463 Mar 09 668,057
Down 14,989 (0.2%) Down 343,908 (14%) Down 115,495 (14.7%) ■ To enter, agents should register their
sales at jet2.com/winacar
06 17.04.2009
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