14 | UPDATE


BELFAST CITY AIRPORT BECOMES FIRST AIRPORT IN NORTHERN IRELAND TO INSTALL EV CHARGING POINTS


BELFAST City Airport has become the first airport in Northern Ireland to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging points for passengers thanks to a new partnership with leading Irish electric vehicle infrastructure company Weev. Twelve parking bays with EV Charging facilities have been installed in the Short Stay Car Park at the airport, providing passengers with the opportunity to charge their vehicle while travelling, with a Rapid Charger installed to enable those collecting passengers to gain a charge for up to 100 miles, in less than 30 minutes. The addition of the chargers is a significant milestone in the airport’s wider environmental strategy and journey to a more sustainable future, and the installation follows the announcement it had become the first airport in Northern Ireland to be accredited to Level 3 in the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. Mark Beattie, Chief Operating Officer at Belfast City Airport, said:


“Belfast City Airport is renowned for providing


best-in-class services that


exceed passenger expectations and the introduction of the Weev EV charging points in our Short Stay Car Park further enhances choice and user experience. “We are committed to reducing carbon emissions across the site, and encouraging sustainable modes of transport amongst passengers and staff is just one of the ways we can do that.


www.nitravelnews.com


ABTA has published new information for members and travellers on the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and European Travel


Authorisation


Information System


and (ETIAS),


to help them prepare for, and understand, the changes. EES is a new electronic system that will replace the physical stamping of passports on arrival into EU/Schengen countries, and is expected to go live in autumn 2024. ETIAS is the EU’s new travel authorisation which people will need to apply for ahead of their travels, it is scheduled to be introduced in mid-20251. ABTA says that, as these are two


“We’re therefore delighted to welcome Weev and its EV charging facilities to Belfast City Airport in what is a first for Northern Ireland airports.” Installation work began in April and the EV points became operational in May. Philip Rainey, Weev CEO, said: “Weev is delighted to add Belfast City Airport to our portfolio of leading organisations that we have partnered with to support Northern Ireland’s transition towards a greener, more


sustainable motoring


future. “We have a proven pedigree in building best-in-class charging infrastructure that is helping remove ‘range anxiety’. EV drivers can rely on our chargers,


TUI Announce New Direct Long Haul Flight to Honeymoon Hotspot from Belfast International Airport


TUI has announced that from June next year, it will operate a new direct flight from Belfast International to Cancun in Mexico. The flights will take off weekly from 24th June 2025 and provide local holidaymakers with a brand-new holiday destination and a choice of over 70 hotels along the stunning Caribbean Coast for their fourteen- night holiday.


Speaking about the exciting addition of Mexico to its Summer 2025 programme, Craig Morgan, Head of Ireland for TUI, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mexico’s Caribbean Coast into our Summer 2025 programme from Belfast International Airport. This is the only direct flight available from Belfast to Mexico and it will open up an exciting range of hotels and unique holiday experiences for Northern Ireland’s holidaymakers along Mexico’s stunning coastline.” Cancun is on the coast of the Yucatán peninsula and is one of Mexico’s top tourist destinations. It also serves as the gateway to the resorts in Riviera Maya to the south. Picture perfect beaches, ancient sites and a choice of resorts are just some of the reasons holidaymakers rate Mexico’s Caribbean Coast for a long- haul getaway. Peninsula,


purpose-built


Along the Yucatan resorts


edge tropical beaches while jungle tours and water sport opportunities are easy to come by. On top of all that, holidaymakers can also explore Mayan ruins, taste Mexican food and wine and watch cultural shows where dancers perform in brightly coloured body paint.


Craig Morgan continued,


“The programme has the ideal combination of sandy beach relaxation and luxurious hotels set in cultural surroundings and is an ideal honeymoon destination. We have the perfect mix to suit couples, families and friends. The full programme is available to book both online and in TUI and local travel agency stores.” Dan Owens,


CEO, Belfast


International Airport said: “We’re delighted to see TUI expand their long-haul holiday offering from Belfast with the addition of Cancun. This Summer TUI are offering more seats to passengers than before the pandemic and illustrates their commitment to the local market. TUI have been a long-standing partner at Belfast International Airport and we are excited about their continued development in Belfast.” Flights will take off each Tuesday from the 24th June for four weeks on TUIs own Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.


Yorkgate Train Station Replaced with Brand New Station


A significant project funded by the Department for Infrastructure sees Yorkgate Train Station replaced with a brand new, modern facility. Renamed York Street, the new facility will be an important gateway for north Belfast and for passengers from across Northern Ireland


Progress Continues on Rollout of Improved Security Scanning Technology at Dublin Airport


THE rollout of new and improved security scanning technology at Dublin Airport will continue to pick up pace over the coming months, according to airport operator daa. Around one third of the airport’s 30+ existing X-ray scanners have already been replaced by new cutting edge C3 scanners, with the airport on track to have replaced all scanners in both of its terminals by October 2025, ahead of the regulatory deadline of 31 December 2025.


The new C3 scanners are best in class when it comes to detection standards and also passenger experience, allowing passengers


to leave all


liquids and laptops inside their cabin bags with the systems working like CT scanners in hospitals to generate 3D images of bags.


Following a 12-month trial of the scanners in a number of lanes in Dublin Airport’s two terminals, daa has agreed a supply and support partnership with Smiths Detection Ltd that will see the company’s C3 scanners


installed throughout the


airport. The agreement will last for 12 years and will also include the rollout of C3 scanners at Cork Airport, which is also operated by daa.


travelling to Ulster University, Sailortown, Cathedral Quarter, City Quays, Cityside, inner North Belfast and other nearby communities. Further information is available on the website – www.translink. co.uk; Translink Journey Planner,


or by calling the Contact Centre.


CAA Pressure Government to Give Them More Powers Over Airlines


knowing that they will


provide the power for their onward journeys. Our team has brought its expertise in delivering a suite of easily- accessible charging points for Belfast City Airport passengers. “Weev’s investment across a wide range of sectors makes us the fastest-growing network in Northern Ireland, and we are proud of this partnership that enables Belfast City Airport to record a ‘Northern Ireland first’ while providing an enhanced service for its passengers.” For more information on


EV charging at Belfast City Airport, please visit www. belfastcityairport.com


big changes affecting the UK’s most popular travel destinations, it is important members are aware of what is happening and what the changes mean for their customers. There


is new online advice


for consumers – www.abta.com/ eesandetias – which will continue to be updated as and when more information becomes available. The main purpose of publishing the consumer advice now, well ahead of the systems’ introduction, is for members to have somewhere


June 2024


ABTA Release Important Information for Consumers Travelling to Mainland Europe


to refer their customers if they have any questions about the new systems. However, as the launch dates get closer, ABTA will also be promoting this advice page directly to consumers, in recognition of our role as a trusted voice, providing clarity on travel issues.


Graeme Buck, Director of


Communications at ABTA – The Travel Association said:


“EES and ETIAS are two big changes coming down the line which members and travellers will need to adapt to.


“While many details are still not yet available about the new systems, we’re keen to share what we know so far with members to help them consider about what they may mean for their businesses and their customers. Graeme continued,


“ABTA


is working closely with the EU departments responsible for implementing these changes – who recognise us as a crucial partner in getting important information to the UK travel trade and consumers. We’re also speaking to relevant UK Government departments about the changes.”


CONSUMER champion Which? is throwing its support behind the Civil Aviation Authority after the regulator hit out at its limited powers to protest consumers.


CAA head of consumer policy and enforcement Anna Bowles has urged ministers to give the regulator more fining powers to take swifter action against airlines who go against consumer regulations. Without fining powers, the CAA is forced to take airlines to court which is costly and time consuming.


Backing the regulator Rocio Concha, Which? Directory of Policy and Advocacy, said:


“Passengers have repeatedly


endured unfair and in some cases unlawful treatment by some airlines in recent years. “The Civil Aviation Authority is limited in its ability to swiftly tackle consumer harm.”


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