p28 Air Sept18 15/9/09 14:55 Page 28
Air
Chris Gray
020 7921 8003
cgray@ttglive.com
For the latest news about flights, airlines and airports, visit ttglive.com/air
In brief
Swiss to resume
■ Aerolineas Argentinas in Virgin Blue tie-up
Aerolineas Argentinas has signed an interline
agreement with Australian carrier Virgin Blue that
will allow agents to issue e-tickets on their routes. Geneva ski flights
It will enable agents to offer more connections
within Australia and New Zealand with incoming chester, which over the past year has lost sev-
Chris Gray.
flights by Argentina’s national carrier. SWISS International Air Lines will repeat its eral long-haul routes, and suffered from Ryanair
Air feature, starts p51 winter service from Manchester to Geneva, scrapping 90% of its services from the airport.
which is targeted at skiers in the north-west. The new flight was welcomed by Trevor Davis,
■ Cheapflights unveils e-services comparison The airline said the link proved popular last retail distribution director at Co-operative
Flight-comparison website Cheapflights has year, demonstrating there is demand not catered Travel, which sends a large proportion of its
launched an e-services tips page comparing online for by charter or no-frills carriers. customers through Manchester.
services from 21 of the world’s major airlines. It Swiss will fly twice a week until April 11. A “After a difficult year for the travel industry,
lists which airlines will let customers book, be Sunday service leaving at 10.00 will start on could such a positive move reflect a growing
refunded, check in, arrange car rental and buy December 20, while a Saturday service departing confidence in both the economy and in travel?”
other services using iPhones or BlackBerries. Go at 17.15 will resume he asked.
to cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/eservices on Boxing Day. “I am hopeful
The flights are that it could repre-
■ ‘Passengers will fly indirect for cheaper fares’ targeted at those sent the start of
More than three-quarters (77%) of passengers heading for Geneva the green shoots
would fly indirectly if it meant a cheaper fare, and surrounding of recovery, and
according to a survey by price-comparison site ski resorts such as pave the way for
Skyscanner. It was also found that 32% would Les Gets, Morzine, the industry to
fly indirect on long/medium-haul flights but not Megeve, Chatel, return to pre-
on short-haul, while 22% would fly indirect if the Avoriaz, Chamonix, recession levels.
stopover was fewer than four hours. Villars and Verbier. “Airports and
Return fares will airlines do not
ttglive.com
For the very latest flights, airline and
start at £76.80, add routes unless
airport news, go to ttglive.com/air
with one piece of they are confident
ski or snowboard that they will
equipment allowed sell, and cus-
‘Fares are too low
for free. tomers will benefit
The move comes from the addi-
to make money’
as a boost to Man- Manchester has welcomed Swiss’s plans for ski flights to Geneva tional choice.”
THE ASSOCIATION of European Airlines (AEA) has
warned that carriers have cut fares so much that
Jet2 to fly Manchester-Funchal
they cannot make money even with the high load
factors of the summer season. JET2.COM will introduce the north-west’s first Funchal airport director Duarte Ferreira
It said passenger numbers in July were 2.3% direct flight to Madeira next summer. said the new service would open up the island
lower than in the same month the previous year, It will operate flights from Manchester to to thousands of more visitors, and could lead
and 2% down in August. The biggest falls were Funchal from May 3. The link is the airline’s fifth to the introduction of more routes from
for North America and the Far East, although new route from Manchester for summer 2010, the UK.
Africa and the Middle East enjoyed growth. joining Tunisia, Kos, Gran Canaria and Venice. “The creation of this new link, especially at a
AEA secretary-general Ulrich Schulte- Managing director Ian Doubtfire said: “We are time when other operators are looking to cut
Strathaus said the industry was in a “desperate the only airline to offer direct scheduled services costs and services, plays such an important role
situation” because airlines were reporting losses to Madeira from Manchester, so this service will for tourism in the region,” he said.
despite an average load factor of 81.8%. benefit people from across the north.” “It will benefit the local economy and people
He added that airlines had been hit by a drop Manchester airport commercial director working and living on the island.”
in premium traffic and an inability to control Andrew Harrison said he expected the flights to One-way fares will start at £49.99, inclusive of
costs such as airport and air traffic control fees. Funchal to be extremely popular. taxes.
28 18.09.2009
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