2 CONTENTS CONTENTS 11 25


4. School Trips Should Have Back-up! Three Quarters of Families Expect ABTA Protection


5. Takeover of Flybe Announced: Stobart Air and Virgin in Airline Deal


6. Bulgaria, Turkey and Algarve on Top: Best Value Holiday Destinations are Named


8. Dublin Sets Another Record: Almost Two Million Extra Travellers Help Break Annual Record


13-24. A Life on the Ocean Waves: Latest on Cruising Worldwide


32-34. No Business Like Show Business: Picture Special on Titanic Exhibition Centre Event


JET2.COM and Jet2holidays have once again been recognised as among the very best companies in the UK for delivering fi rst-class customer service, according to a major study.


The latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI), published by The Institute of Customer Service, has named Jet2holidays joint 20th out of more than 250 companies – making the package holiday specialist the highest ranked tour operator for customer service. Jet2.com comes joint 45th in the list – the highest ranked airline in the study. No other package tour operator or airline even makes the top 50, with all major brands and organisations featuring in the study. Jet2holidays is given a customer satisfaction score of 82.5, above the national average of 77.7. Over 30 diff erent considerations – such as staff professionalism, quality and effi ciency, and complaint handling – are factored into the results.


Jet2.com has a customer satisfaction score of 81.2,


LOWER air fares have led Ryanair to report a quarterly loss of €19.6m (£17.2m) and the airline has repeated its warning that Brexit uncertainty could hit further profi ts. The fi gures, for the three months to the end of December, compare to a profi t of €105.6m (£92.4m) in the same period a year earlier.


During the period, passenger numbers grew, by eight per cent to 30.4 million, with revenues up nine per cent to £1.34bn. Average airfares fell six per cent, while the airline saw staff costs increase.


At the same time, the airline announced Chief


QATAR Airways are adding extra seats from Edinburgh. There will be an additional fl ight in April 2019, providing double daily on Mondays. From July to October 2019 there will be three additional fl ights a week during summer, providing


LONDONDERRY reader TERRY WATT is the winner of Two Tickets to Athens with Aegean Airlines, the competition in the January issue of NI Travel News.


February 2019 Travel News February 2019


ABOUT US


Editorial Brian Ogle


Brian@nitravelnews.com Kirsty Johsnton


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Advertising Jonathan Adair


Jonathan@nitravelnews.com Jordan McCluskey


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Tel: 028 9066 6151 News Extra Among ‘Very Best’ accolade


meaning it is only airline to make the top 50 yet again. The ranking follows what has already been an award- winning start to 2019 for the UK’s second largest tour operator and third largest airline, after four successful wins at the prestigious Travel Weekly Globe Awards. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “Yet again this major study by the Institute of Customer Service shows that Jet2.com and Jet2holidays is way ahead of other tour operators and airlines when it comes to delivering customer satisfaction and trust. “We invest heavily to provide the very best service for our customers, and the success of this approach is measured not only by prestigious recognition such as this, but by the amount of customers who book and rebook with us time and time again.


“Such success is incredibly rewarding, and it is testament to the tremendous amount of hard work that everyone at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays puts in to ensure that every single customer receives the best service..”


Lower fares drive Ryanair profi ts down


Executive O’Leary has agreed a new fi ve-year contract, taking him through to July 2024. “While a €20m loss in Q3 was disappointing, we take comfort that this was entirely due to weaker than expected air fares so our customers are enjoying record low prices, which is good for current and future traffi c growth.”


He added: “The risk of a no-deal Brexit remains worryingly high. While we hope that common sense will prevail, and lead either to a delay in Brexit, or agreement on the 21-month transition deal currently on the table, we have taken all necessary steps to protect business.”


Qatar increases frequency out of Edinburgh


double daily fl ights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.


Qatar Airways fl y from Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff , London Gatwick, Heathrow from the UK, and from Dublin.


Winners of two Travel News competitions


Meanwhile, HAZEL PATTERSON of Ballymena is the winner of a stay in the North West Castle, Stranraer, sponsored by McMillan Hotels and Stena Line.


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