Travel News July/August 2016
ELFAST International Airport has warmly welcomed support for an early review of Air Passenger Duty (APD) from the new Finance Minister, Mairtin O’Muilleoir.
APD intervention B
The Minister met with airport Managing Director, Graham Keddie, and afterwards, in a statement, said it was his view that the Executive should have full control of APD ‘so that we can make decisions in the interest of our community in terms of tourism, business and job creation’.
Responding, Mr Keddie, said the support from the Finance Minister was hugely encouraging and important. He said: “APD is a barrier to growth. The Republic of Ireland has done away with the tax, and Scotland wants to do the same, but there was, until now, a reluctance at Stormont to grasp the nettle. “I fully support an early review of APD and the damage it is causing this economy. There have been wild estimates as to what it would cost the Executive, but little by way of the very tangible benefits that would flow from reducing the rate or doing away with it altogether.
“Zero-rate tax in the Republic of Ireland hands
New Aer Lingus Dublin bag drop
AER Lingus has revolutionised its check-in experience at Dublin Airport with the launch of a new Express Bag Drop service, designed to make travel as seamless as possible. Ideally timed to coincide with the busy summer months the new check-in facility is set to dramatically reduce the time it takes to check-in at the airport and to make lengthy queues a thing of the past. The Express Bag Drop service, which is available year-round, enables travellers to self tag and check-in their bags once they have their boarding card printed or downloaded to their mobile device. In a matter of minutes or even seconds Aer Lingus guests can complete the check-in process, deposit their bag and proceed swiftly towards departures.
Commenting on the new Express Bag Drop service, Mike Rutter, Chief Operating Officer, Aer Lingus, said: “Aer Lingus has invested heavily over the last 24 months in improving Guest Experience. Our latest innovation, the new ‘Express Bag Drop’ cuts the time our guests need to spend in the check-in area by at least 66 per cent. I would urge all our guests to check-in in advance so they can experience this time- saving, stress-busting service.
“The installation project has been the largest single installation in Western Europe. It allows us to continue to grow the Aer Lingus business as we announce further exciting US and European routes because it delivers an effective 200 per cent increase in check-in capacity. We began piloting Express Bag Drop kiosks some months ago and already the feedback from our guests has been very positive. “We at Aer Lingus continually strive to innovate and improve our guests’ travel experience. Express Bag Drop is a significant step forward in our mission to provide the smoothest possible journey through the airport to get you on your Aer Lingus flight.” The Aer Lingus check-in area at Dublin airport now boasts over 40 self-service Express Bag Drop kiosks which are available to all guests travelling with Aer Lingus. Aer Lingus ground staff are on hand to help familiarise travellers using the new check-in facility for the first time.
Online and mobile check-in allows guests to arrive to the airport with boarding card in hand, avoiding any lengthy queues. In addition, Aer Lingus offers an evening before check-in service in Dublin and Cork airports, which is particularly beneficial to families.
Enchanted Forest
THE Enchanted Forest, Perthshire's multi-award- winning sound and light show, has released 65,000 tickets for what will mark its 15th anniversary show. The state-of-the-art show, entitled Shimmer, will run throughout October and this year more than 65,000 tickets are going on sale with organisers are urging customers to book early to avoid disappointment. Last year's award winning show attracted a record 62,000 visitors smashing all previous box office records and selling out quickly. The 2016 show runs from Thursday, Sept 29 to Friday, October 30 at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry.
Renewed hope on
Dublin a great advantage over our airports in Northern Ireland. Even though we are seeing impressive passenger growth, much, much more could be achieved if APD didn’t exist.
“It is not fanciful to say that thousands of new jobs would be created if APD was consigned to history. The Minister’s intervention gives us renewed hope. If other Ministers buy into his clear-sighted view, then we might just see movement in the right direction.” Minister for Finance, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has said he wants to seek an early review of Air Passenger Duty (APD). He was speaking as he visited Belfast International Airport, en route to New York. The Minister said: “I met with International Airport management and was encouraged to note the recent network growth and development at the Airport, resulting in an additional 500 on-site jobs. It's my view that the Executive should have full control of Air Passenger Duty so that we can make decisions in the interest of our community in terms of tourism, business and job creation. We need an early review of the ongoing application of APD by London on all short haul routes across Britain and Europe.”
UPDA 7TE
HAVING A BALL: Meagan Green and James Stewart celebrated the inaugural
Jet2.com/Jet2holidays Fuerteventura flight from Belfast International Airport by giving out beach balls to all passengers travelling to the new destination which is famed for its white sandy beaches and popular for a range of water sports such as surfing, windsurfing and waterskiing. Flights now depart every Wednesday until November 16
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