8 UPDATE
July/Aug 2016 Travel News
Flying to moon - via Birmingham
LYBE recently marked the 30th anniversary of its popular Belfast City to Birmingham service. In three decades of operation the service has covered some 22 million miles – the equivalent distance of travelling almost 50 times to the moon and back! The Belfast to Birmingham route began in 1986 as a result of market demand and it is estimated over six million passengers have flown on 100,000 flights since then.
Over the 30 years, both the aircraft type as well as the airline has undergone significant change. The fast, convenient 70-minute flight direct to George Best Belfast City Airport, that is located just 10 minutes away from the heart of the city’s business district, is today operated by Flybe’s distinctive purple-branded state of the art 78-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft. The route initially used a Belfast-manufactured 36- seat Shorts 360 aircraft. And the airline itself has gone through a number of company name changes starting life as Jersey European, through British European to becoming re-branded as Flybe (the BE still representing British European) in 2002. Andrea Hayes, UK General Manager (North and RoI), Flybe, comments: “This marks a very special milestone in Flybe’s long established commitment to both Belfast City and Birmingham. Our clear focus is on providing short, affordable regional flights, delivering unrivalled regional connectivity for local communities.
“This ‘cross water’ route is a perfect example and has proved consistently popular with business and leisure passengers alike for 30 years. We look forward
Flybe celebrates 30th anniversary F
to its continued success.”
Chief Executive of George Best Belfast City Airport, Brian Ambrose OBE, Commercial and Marketing Director at Belfast City Airport, said: “Commercial operations only began at Belfast City Airport in the early 1980s making Birmingham one of our longest established routes.
“Aviation has changed considerably since then, and airlines and airports have to adapt accordingly. Both Flybe and Belfast City Airport have moved with the times and have invested heavily in our products, services and facilities with the longevity and success of the Birmingham route, and indeed that of Flybe’s wider network from Belfast City, being testament to that.
“Connecting Belfast to a number of key business and leisure destinations across the UK, Flybe is committed to providing a city to city service and with Belfast City Airport recently being named ‘the most convenient airport in the UK and Ireland’ our location certainly facilitates this objective.”
George Best Belfast City Airport is one of Flybe’s largest bases from where it flies eight Bombardier Q400 turbojets and at where it is the largest airline by seat capacity, passenger volumes and daily frequencies, operating 15 routes with a choice of up to up 51 flights a day.
In addition, regional customers can benefit from the seamless global connections available through Flybe’s codeshare partners in Birmingham onward to Paris Charles de Gaulle, Delhi and Dubai providing a convenient ‘One Stop to the World’ offering.
Kid’s stuff on Irish Sea ferry
WITH the school holidays now upon us, P&O Ferries is kicking off the summer season in style on-board their Larne to Cairnryan sailing with lots of free on-board activities to keep children entertained.
From the end of June a children’s entertainer will be on-board during peak sailings throughout the summer, offering face painting and arts and crafts sessions where children can create their summer holiday memory keepsakes.
Sasha Boyle, P&O Ferries onboard Kid’s entertainer along with young Sam McCausland
CAA fees clampdown
HIDDEN fees charged by airlines for services such as changing a name on a ticket or checking in at the airport rather than online are set to be clamped down on by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The watchdog will assess whether costs are presented to customers in an “open and clear” way in its review of every airline selling tickets in the UK. This is so “people understand what they are actually paying for” and avoid being stung by extra charges not made clear from the outset, said a CAA spokesperson. Recently Strangford MP Jim Shannon raised the issue in parliament following claims European airlines made almost £13 billion last year through additional charges and the sale of extras including food and insurance.
Families coming on-board the sailing can enjoy the newly decorated kids play area and game zone. For older children and teenagers, P&O Ferries offers continuous Wi-Fi that Works throughout the ship if they want to use their iPods, iPads and their phones. Having fun can build up quite an appetite so P&O Ferries is offering a specially designed children’s menu full of tasty favourites such as chicken goujons and fish and chips. If passengers want to enjoy a light snack there is a range to choose from that includes pastries, fruit pots and muffins and a vegetarian option is also available. Looking forward to welcoming families on-board the Larne to Cairnryan sailing, Neal Mernock, Sector Director, Irish Sea at P&O Ferries said: “We pride ourselves on our family offering and we are happy that we can get the holiday started from the moment our passengers step on-board. With no baggage restrictions, mums, dads and kids can pack all they want before enjoying the two hour sailing across the Irish Sea. We’ve got plenty to keep the kids occupied with our on- board activities and we’ve also got a newly decorated lounge area for mums and dads to enjoy.”
With up to seven sailings a day P&O Ferries Larne to Cairnryan route makes getting to Scotland even more convenient.
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