4 | UPDATES


Number of Guns Found at Airports ‘Unacceptable’


THE TSA have expressed concern at the amount of guns found at airports in recent years. The ‘unacceptable


level of firearms’ is set to overtake 2022 levels of finds.


The concern was raised after an assault rifle with 163 rounds of


was found at New Orleans


earlier in February. Last


6,542 guns were discovered security across


our


www.nitravelnews.com British Passports Set to Change


FOR the first time since the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles’ name will be placed on all British passports. The change will see “Her Majesty” replaced with “His Majesty” and will be visible in circulation as early as


summer.


Passports with “Her Majesty” placed upon them will still be valid until its expiry date.


This comes after new printed British passports were changed to blue with the introduction of Brexit.


British Airways Holiday Customers to be Able to Pay with Avios Points


ammunition Airport year, at


points airports,


according to the TSA.


“What we see in checkpoints


really reflects what we’re seeing in society,” said TSA administrator David Pekoske.


“In society there are more people carrying firearms nowadays.”


Those found to be wrongfully carrying a firearm through airports will be fined a maximum of $14,950.


ST LUCIA have announced that from March 1, arrivals will be required to complete a digital entry


form. This online form should be completed prior to arrival in Saint Lucia.


check out,


allowing them to choose the amount of cash and Avios they wish to spend, with the cash amount starting from as little as £1, subject to holding a qualifying Avios balance. Alternatively, customers can secure their holiday with a deposit just using Avios, paying any remaining balance with cash in as many or few instalments as they like, provided the balance is paid off in full four or five* weeks before travel for short haul trips or seven weeks for long-haul. British Airways Executive Club Members will also continue to earn Double Tier points with British Airways Holidays. To qualify they need to book flights and hotel, or flights and car hire, for five nights or more and travel before 31 December 2023. This includes solo travellers and any holidays already booked. There are a number of ways for customers to collect Avios to spend on holidays, including spending on the British Airways American Express Credit Card, travelling with Uber, converting Nectar points and shopping on the British Airways Avios eStore.


Belfast City Airport Announces £1.2 Million Investment from Aspire Premium Lounge Facilities


EUROPE’S largest airport lounge provider,


Aspire,


has announced a major refurbishment of the lounge at Belfast City Airport with a total investment of £1.2million assigned to enhance its offering.


In partnership with concept design specialists DV8 Designs, the existing lounge area will be extended to accommodate 178 seats, effectively increasing its capacity by 70 people. Commenting


on the


investment announcement, Katy Best, Commercial Director at Belfast City Airport, which was named the UK and Ireland’s Most Convenient Airport, said:


BRITISH Airways Executive Club Members now have more choice than ever when it comes to using their Avios, with the new option to redeem them towards the cost of a British Airways Holidays booking. Customers choosing a flight and hotel and/


or car package with British Airways Holidays, can now use Avios towards the total price of a holiday when making their booking. After selecting their preferred package, customers will be able to pick one of up to nine different Avios payment options at


March/April 2023


Announces New Route From Belfast


Emerald Airlines


Aer Lingus Demonstrate Strong Signs of Recovery


AER Lingus recorded an operating profit before exceptional items of €45 million for the full year 2022, a solid performance showing that the airline is recovering well following two years of significant losses. This compares to a pre- pandemic 2019 operating profit before exceptional items of €276 million. Aer Lingus ramped up its operations significantly in preparation for the summer peak and continued to rebuild its network,


reaching 2019


capacity levels for quarter four 2022. Losses before exceptional items of €95m in the first half of the year were offset by €139 million operating profit before exceptional items in quarter three


and followed by €1m operating profit before exceptional items in quarter four.


Leisure travel has been key to recovery particularly in the peak holiday periods, with business travel also recovering but at a slower pace. There has been high market demand for European sun destinations and North Atlantic routes, with notable strength in inbound US passengers. The new Aer Lingus Manchester base also performed well in its first full year of operations. 2022 saw Aer Lingus welcome almost 1,000 new people into the airline and take delivery of two Airbus 320 neo aircraft, with much improved fuel efficiency and reduced noise emissions. Two Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) agreements were signed during the year – important steps on the sustainability journey.


“This investment is fantastic news for our passengers who have been enjoying the Aspire product since the lounge opened in 2014. “Whether it’s on the outbound leg of a trip or travelling home from experiencing Northern Ireland, the collaboration between Belfast City Airport and Aspire provides passengers with a comfortable and tranquil start to their journey. “We are passionate about delivering an airport experience that exceeds expectations, and the new, larger lounge due to open later this year will ensure our passengers can enjoy a high quality, premium lounge offering whilst waiting to board their flight.”


EMERALD Airlines, exclusive operator of Aer Lingus Regional services announces a new service linking Belfast City with the Isle of Man. The new route will commence on 24 April, operating 4 times per week, increasing to 6 weekly for the peak Summer season. Commenting on the announcement, Conor McCarthy, Executive Chairman at Emerald Airlines said: “We are delighted to be bolstering our Belfast City schedule by adding a new link between Belfast and the Isle of Man. We look forward to continuing to grow our services, providing more options for those travelling to and from Belfast.” Katy Best,


Commercial


Director at Belfast City Airport said: “This new service to Isle of Man will be the 13th Aer Lingus route from Belfast City Airport providing excellent choice for passengers this summer. “The airline will also operate new routes to East Midlands, Jersey, Newcastle and Newquay. This is in addition to its existing services to Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh,


Exeter, Glasgow,


Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Southampton. “The first Aer Lingus flights operated by Emerald took off in March last year and we are very pleased with the performance and growth of the routes since then.”


With the aim of stimulating the senses, the refurbished lounge will incorporate a blend of tile and slatted curved screens, plush upholstery design seating, and enclosed private booths for additional privacy. The use of feature LED lighting inspired by the Giant’s Causeway will evoke a strong sense of locality, while warm colours will conjure a feeling of relaxation and rest. Passengers choosing the Aspire Lounge will enjoy complimentary food and drink, table-side charging facilities, access to newspapers and magazines, and unrivalled views of Belfast City Airport’s runway. To avoid disruption for passengers, the refurbishment will be undertaken in a phased approach, enabling the lounge to remain open at all times.


The refurbished Aspire Lounge will open at Belfast City Airport later this year.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56